All About Quinoa

One food that proves to be a staple of many vegetarian diets is quinoa. It's a really great alternative to rice or oatmeal for those active individuals who are looking for a change. It's also considerably higher in protein than both of the former choices so if that is an issue you struggle with in your diet, it definitely makes sense to look into this grain.

Nutritional Profile

Nutritionally speaking, ½ cup of raw quinoa will provide you with about 310 calories, 11 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 60 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of fiber.

It also contains about 96% of your daily manganese intake (1.92 mg), 45% of your magnesium intake (180 mg), 42% of your iron intake (7.8 mg) and 35% of your copper intake (0.7 mg).

To further increase its health benefits, you will also receive about 2 grams of Omega fatty acids when you eat half a cup, which are critical for optimal health. Far too many people do not get enough omega fatty acids in their current diet so taking steps to increase this will set you on a path for many health benefits.

Benefits Of Quinoa

Some of the biggest health benefits of quinoa are that it has a well balanced amino acid profile. This means that you do not need to worry about eating a complimentary food with it in order to form complete proteins. Eaten alone by itself, you will be sure to get the nutrients you need. On top of that, it is also a very good source of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorous. This makes it a great food for those who suffer from migraines, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It is also a rich source of fiber, which will help to prevent a variety of cancers, gallstones and diabetes.

How To Select

You will most likely find the quinoa in your grocery stores where they keep the bulk bins or the prepackaged products. You will want to ensure however, if you decide to purchase it from the bulk bins that it has been stored correctly (covered) and looks fresh. Make sure when looking at it there is no signs of moisture as this is an indication it may not be as good to eat. Natural food stores will also usually have quinoa in stock so if you are having issues trying to find it at your grocery store, check one of those places out.

When you get home, it will keep best in an airtight container in the fridge or somewhere cool. If these recommendations are followed, generally you can expect it to last three to six months (a shorter time if not kept in the fridge).

So if you've never given quinoa a chance, or maybe you've tried it but have forgotten about it as rice has made its way back into your diet instead, pick some up next time you go for groceries. Not only is a great food for vegetarians to eat in particular, it's a wonderful source of whole grain carbohydrates for athletes or the average individual to eat.

If you are unsure what to do with quinoa once you purchase it, look here for a few recipes.

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