What is
quinoa
 Many vegans use
quinoa to provide protein
in their diet as it is a complete protein. Athletes and
sports men and women use it to help build up their stamina.
The
first thing to say about quinoa is that it is a seed, not a grain. The
plant grows to about 2 metres high and the seeds are born on flower
clusters. The leaves can be eaten like spinach and in fact quinoa and
spinach come from the same plant group. The most common type is the
cream coloured quinoa but you can also buy red quinoa.
It is having a
renaissance in the 21st century
as people discover the many health benefits. It still has not had a
great deal of television coverage but that will come as TV chefs
realise its good points and start using it.
The reason for its
growing popularity is twofold. Firstly there is the health benefits of
quinoa. Secondly is the fact that quinoa is so easy to cook and include
in your diet. Now that you can buy it over the counter in most food
stores and supermarkets people are buying and adding it to their diet.
So
what is quinoa?
Quinoa
is a South American plant that bears seeds that you can eat. In recent
years quinoa farming has been set up in the USA. The plant is very easy
to grow and does not have high demands in terms of soil quality and
nutrients. If you do grow it in a fertile ground then you will get a
higher yield but quinoa will grow pretty much anywhere.
The
reason so many people are shouting its praises is because it is a
fantastic source of protein and a slow releasing source of
carbohydrates. It is also a very versatile food that can be used in
salads, stir fry dishes, soups and casseroles and much more.
Quinoa
is classed as a vegetable protein which is easy to digest. It has been
shown to be good for your kidneys and bladder as it contains all the
essential amino acids.
What Is
quinoa Like To Eat?
The
taste of quinoa is light and delicate and can be used instead of rice
in most recipes. Some people use it instead of couscous although it
does not have the same texture as couscous. As you cook quinoa the
external germ forms a band around each seed. It spirals out from the
main seed forming a short tail. This tail gives quinoa its signature
crunchy feel and texture.
Quinoa Nutrition Facts
Quinoa
has long been a favourite for vegans because it has all nine essential
amino acids supplements. Lysine in particular in crucial for repairing
the body and bringing recovery to your body. It also contains magnesium
,iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium. What this all means in
layman's parlance is that it has one of the highest concentrations of
these elements in the plant world.
Quinoa
carbohydrates are slow releasing which means that it satisfies your
hunger for longer. For diabetics this is ideal as you can maintain the
correct blood sugar levels for longer with high level carbohydrates
such as quinoa.
Quinoa is almost a “complete” food
and was used by the Incas tribe by mothers while pregnant as well as
when nursing infants. (It is thought to help improve the quality of
milk mothers produce while feeding). Quinoa has plenty of Calcium, Fat,
Iron and phosphorous and a high amount of vitamin B2.
Sprouted
quinoa has more fiber because the seed germ has sprouted from the seed.
This germ gives a good level of fibre when cooked in the standard way.
When it is sprouted the fiber is more because of the large white
sprout. You can mix sprouted quinoa with chopped raw vegetables for a
healthy salad full of fibre and goodness.
Learn more about what is quinoa here:
http://www.quinoa-cookbook.com/
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