Quinoa: Benefits & How I Prepare It

Quinoa {Keen-Wah} was discovered three or four thousand years ago by the Incas as a super-grain that was fit for human consumption. The Incas believed this grain helped greatly increase their warriors' stamina.

Here are some benefits of quinoa {via}:

1. Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.

2. Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber is most widely known to relieve constipation. It also helps to prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Fiber lowers cholesterol and glucose levels, may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids and may help you to lose weight as it takes a longer time to chew than does other foods because it makes you feel fuller for longer and is less “energy dense” which means it has fewer calories for the same volume of food.

3. Quinoa contains Iron. Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of hemoglobin formation. Iron carries oxygen from one cell to another and supplies oxygen to our muscles to aid in their contraction. Iron also increases brain function because the brain takes in about 20% of our blood oxygen. There are many benefits of iron some more of which include neurotransmitter synthesis, regulation of body temperature, aids enzyme activity and energy metabolism.

4. Quinoa contains lysine. Lysine is mainly essential for tissue growth and repair.

5. Quinoa is rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to alleviate migraines. Magnesium also may reduce Type 2 diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar control. Other health benefits of magnesium include transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.

6. Quinoa is high in Riboflavin (B2). B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells and is known to help create proper energy production in cells.

7. Quinoa has a high content of manganese. Manganese is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production as well as to protect red blood cells and other cells from injury by free radicals.

 

Another great benefit of quinoa that I have personally found is that it's versatile. You can use it in placement of oatmeal at breakfast - mix it with a little Greek yogurt and some fruit and you have a protein-packed dish. I use it in salads, sometimes in place of a meat source of protein, and I like to eat it as a side dish, or in place of pasta and rice in dishes like casseroles, or even a chicken Parmesan dish. 

Some people complain that quinoa is a little on the bitter side for their taste. Here's how I cook it to rid it of the bitterness:

1. I rinse the quinoa in a very fine strainer {the quinoa seeds are very tiny and will slip through a normal colander}.
2. I trade out a quarter or half of the water it cooks in with 98-99% fat free, low sodium chicken broth.

I have found my method gives it more of a flavorful taste, so eating it all by itself is bearable. Obviously, for breakfast dishes, I wouldn't go the chicken broth route. I might sprinkle a little Stevia over it and mix it with my yogurt, etc. for morning dishes.

If you've never tried quinoa, I urge you to give it a go. It's so incredibly good for you.