2013 was named the “Year of Quinoa” by United Nations General Assembly, so let’s find out why it is so special.
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is a tiny, bead shaped grain with a bitter flavour. It is gluten free so is suitable for anyone with a gluten intolerance or conditions such as crohn’s or colitis. And to add even more information for you, here are 5 reasons to use this super food:
1 – It fuels your body: cooked quinoa contains 8 grams of protein per cup. It is a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs. It will give you energy for the gym and to get you through a long day at work.
2 – It helps your digestion: 1 cup of quinoa gives you 5 grams of fibre. This will help with your digestion, lower your cholesterol levels, control your blood sugars and will help to maintain your healthy weight.
3 – It’s a multivitamin: it is an amazing source of Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Folate, Vitamin E, Manganese, Phosphorus, Copper, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, Selenium and Zinc.
4 – It’s a good carbohydrate: because of its high protein and high fibre content quinoa is better for you than other grains. Its sugars are slower to be absorbed by the body. It also only has 222 calories per cup.
5 – It’s versatile It’s not just something to add to a salad. You can use it as an accompaniment to curry or chilli, mould it into a burger with herbs and spices, make sushi with it, or have it for breakfast instead of oats as porridge. So, give this little grain a whirl and try it today!
