Everyone knows that whole grains provide a whole host of health benefits including lowering heart disease risk and helping with weight maintenance.
I love to experiment with different whole grains and by far one of my favorites is Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa).Over the past few years, I would often start my day with a big bowl of hot quinoa mixed with walnuts, flaxseeds, berries and protein powder.
It is one breakfast that leaves me feeling satisfied and full of energy for the rest of the day.
Recently, my wife has become an expert at cooking quinoa and we now eat it as a side dish more often than rice or sweet potatoes.
5 Reasons to Eat Quinoa
- Price – Quinoa is inexpensive.
One of the biggest challenges that I hear from patients is that eating healthier is often too costly. I agree that many organic foods are more expensive, but whole grains are one exception. For only $2.95 per pound- you have enough quinoa to eat several times in one week. - Quinoa is gluten free
With the rising incidence of Celiac’s disease in many populations, Quinoa is one grain that contains no gluten, so it is safe for anyone with Celiac’s disease or a suspected intolerance to wheat products. - Quinoa is a good source of protein.
A ½ cup serving of dry quinoa has approximately 11 grams of protein. When cooked, one cup of quinoa is about 254 calories and has almost 9 grams of protein. Quinoa is one of the few grains that is a complete protein. - Quinoa is loaded with minerals
Quinoa contains potassium, magnesium and manganese. Of these three minerals, magnesium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the body. Magnesium helps regulate the absorption of calcium, energy production and aids with muscle contraction. - Quinoa is easy to cook.
One of the easiest ways to make quinoa is to take 1 cup of quinoa and boil it with 2 cups of organic chicken broth. This normally takes about 15 minutes. As the quinoa is finished, add 1 Tbsp of curry powder. Now you can sprinkle in anything you want from raisins to sautéed mushrooms and enjoy.
Ways to Use Quinoa
- In place of rice
- In soups
- In salads
- As a breakfast cereal
- In vegetarian chili or meat sauce
- In veggie burgers
- In puddings
Let us know any of your favorite quinoa recipes.
@opus
it is our Masoor dal
It’s quinoa in hindi as well
Plz What’s name is quinoa in hindi . . .
From where to purchase quinoa in india
I’ve tried quiona once and did not like. Since then I’ve had it mixed with other grains and enjoyed it. I’m going to try it again in a squash recipe. I have not found quiona any cheapter than $5.00 per pound. Please tell me where I can purchase it for less money?
Thanks,
Quinoa may grow in North America but has been used in the middle east and mediteranian for many centuries.
Ms.Wanitha,
I am in Delhi and interested in buying quinoa. Do you know where to get this in Delhi? Can I get this from you? I may come to Bangalore in October 2010. So Can I get quinoa then?
Prabha
That’s why quinoa is so good for vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat meat.
I make a power breakfast every morning with quinoa. It helps regulate my blood sugar so I only need a small snack, like string cheese or some nuts before I go running at lunchtime. Here is my recipe:
1 cup cooked organic sprouted quinoa
2 poached organic brown eggs
1/4 cup organic steamed kale
1/4 cup organic steamed spinach
1 or 2 tablespoons of local, organic tzatziki
It is so good! Occasionally I subsitute different veggies, like steamed lemon asparagus, or steamed broccoli. I have even tried a tablespoon of sesame miso dressing instead of tzatziki.
tell me where can ifind quinoa in india @ what would be the price per kg.
hello you can mail me if u have any prob in cooking