Quinoa is considered a wonder grain that hails from the Peruvian Andes. Known to have been consumed for the first time around 4000 years back, it is making the shelves of supermarkets today. The question is: Is Quinoa really worth the hype or is it just a being sold by the name of a super grain? We will try to ascertain this fact.
Benefits of Quinoa:
Quinoa is protein-rich: It is a rare protein food that contains all nine essential amino acids.
Quinoa contains a lot of fibers: Fibres are necessary for smooth functioning of our digestive system.
Quinoa contains lysine: Lysine is mainly essential for tissue growth and repair.
Quinoa is rich in Iron: Iron plays an important role in red blood cell formation and maintaining higher levels of hemoglobin in our body.
Quinoa also contains magnesium: Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to alleviate migraines.
Gluten-free: Gluten-free diets are recommended for people with Celiac disease who have a serious gluten intolerance.
Ways to include quinoa to your diet:
Salads: There are various salad recipes that can be prepared using different vegetables and fruits.
Smoothies: You can integrate quinoa in smoothies to get more protein out of it.
Energy bars: If you are fond of cooking then you can prepare homemade health bars.
Replace oats: If you are accustomed to eating oats during breakfast, then you should definitely try quinoa.
Soups: If you are preparing chicken or vegetable soup, then quinoa can definitely accompany these soups and add more protein to the soup.
But like any superfood, quinoa, if taken in large quantities, can irritate your guts. Thus, it is advised to use it in small quantities and alternatively with other grains, vegetables, and fruits.
