The nutritional richness found in the humble quinoa is something that cannot be ignored. Find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to this ancient but relatively new grain.
- Quinoa is a highly nutritious grain that is also gluten free. It comprises of more protein than any other grain with an excellent balance of all 8 of the essential amino acids
- Being high in fibre, quinoa is great for balancing cholesterol levels and supporting a healthy digestive system
- Quinoa is good for maintaining a healthy blood sugar level as it has a low GI
- Quinoa is high in iron which is great for blood health and for transporting oxygen around the body
- Quinoa keeps the nervous system in check as it is a good source of the b vitamins, magnesium and calcium
- Quinoa is a great source for vitamin E which is a potent antioxidant
Preparing Quinoa
Preparing quinoa is as easy as preparing rice or any other grain. First you will need to rinse the grain well in a sieve in order to wash off its bitter coating. You will then need to bring 2 cups of water with 1 cup quinoa to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid on around 15-20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and it is tender and fluffy but still slightly crunchy.
Quinoa is very versatile and is delicious tossed through a salad or served with a stir fry or casserole. Quinoa can also be added to soups for that extra taste and slight crunch.
There are three main types of quinoa. These being white, red, black or a combination. Quinoa has a slightly nutty flavour.
Quinoa is readily available at your local supermarket usually in the health food aisle, or in your health food store. Organic quinoa is available as well as non-organic.
Originally published on May 01, 2015
