Why Quinoa is Something You Should Try!
If quinoa is a food that you have never tried, now is a great time to try it! Often referred to as a super food, quinoa provides your body with everything you need. It is one of the best sources of plant based protein you can find and is also full of low-glycemic carbohydrates. As if that were not enough, quinoa is high in fiber and nutrient dense. When you eat quinoa, you are getting calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, copper and potassium. A one cup serving of cooked quinoa has 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Additionally, is has 15.5 mg of calcium. This impressive nutritional profile has lead mean health experts to make the claim that if you had to survive on a single food, quinoa would be a great one to pick!
The amino rich protein that these tiny seeds have is one reason why quinoa has gotten so much attention. Very few plant based foods offer a complete protein because most are short on at least one of the essential amino acids. As an example, very few grains have lysine, which your body relies on in order to properly repair cells. Quinoa has all eight essential amino acids, making it very unique! There is no doubt that quinoa is a superior source of protein. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has stated that the quality of protein found in quinoa is equal to that found in dried whole milk.
Those with food sensitivities will be happy to learn that quinoa is a food that they can enjoy. In fact, it is a food that is often included in gluten free gift baskets because it is one of the rare grain type foods that are completely safe. While you may hear of it referred to as a grain, this is actually incorrect. The term “pseudo” grain is more appropriate because although it is not a member of the grass family, it is treated like a grain in cooking.
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