| Quinoa, an Ancient Grain (Seed) | | | | necessary for tissue growth and repair and is |
| Quinoa is a "rediscovered" grain that has many | | | | especially necessary if you lead an active lifestyle. |
| health benefits. | | | | Quinoa provides high concentrations of calcium, |
| You pronounce Quinoa as "Keen-Wa". | | | | manganese, magnesium, iron, tryptophan, copper |
| This ancient food was once considered to be "the | | | | and phosphorus. Since they are seeds instead of |
| gold of the Incas" and is finding its way back into | | | | grains, they have a higher good fat content. The |
| the modern diet. People who want a grain that is | | | | fats in quinoa are heart healthy and beneficial for |
| less allergenic than wheat and as versatile as rice | | | | brain functioning. |
| should consider quinoa. | | | | Quinoa Helps Curb Cravings |
| Quinoa is technically a seed, although it looks like a | | | | Unlike other grains, quinoa won't spike your blood |
| grain. It is the seed of a green leafy plant. When | | | | sugar and leave you craving more carbohydrates. |
| you cook quinoa it becomes fluffy with a bit of a | | | | The fat and protein content in quinoa are balanced |
| crunch. It is truly a uniquely textured food that | | | | with the carbohydrates, so it will leave you full |
| many people enjoy when they first encounter it. | | | | and satisfied. It will fill you up and keep you fuller |
| When quinoa seeds are cooked, the shell of the | | | | for longer than rice, pasta or breads. |
| grain (seed) separates from the center, creating | | | | How to Cook Quinoa |
| the dual texture. It has a nutty flavor and is a | | | | Quinoa makes a quick meal and is easy to |
| perfect substitute for rice or pasta. | | | | prepare. Rinse off the seeds to remove the |
| Quinoa comes in several different varieties | | | | coating, and then place the quinoa in a pot (2 |
| including yellow, orange, pink, red, purple and black. | | | | parts quinoa to 1 part water). The seeds cook in |
| The most common variety is the yellow kind, | | | | about fifteen minutes. They can also be prepared |
| which becomes semi transparent when cooked. | | | | in a rice cooker. Adding broth instead of water or |
| The leaves of the quinoa plant are also edible and | | | | adding veggies is a great way to liven up the |
| nutritious, although they are sometimes hard to | | | | flavor of the dish. |
| find. | | | | Quinoa flour is an easy way to get more of the |
| Quinoa is a "super grain" because it has so many | | | | grain into your diet. Since it is gluten-free, it |
| healthy benefits. It contains all of the essential | | | | makes a great substitution for people with celiac |
| amino acids in addition to lots of iron, potassium | | | | disease or those who just want to get the |
| and B vitamins. It's a great option for vegetarians | | | | benefits of the grain. In order for bread and other |
| because it offers nutrients that most people get | | | | baked good to bake properly, you can only |
| from meat. | | | | substitute 75% quinoa flour for wheat flour. So if |
| Quinoa is a Complete Protein | | | | a recipe calls for 1 cup of flour, you can use |
| The protein that quinoa provides is complete | | | | three-quarters of a cup of quinoa and quarter of |
| protein. It includes all nine essential amino acids, | | | | a cup of wheat. Even with this mixture, you'll still |
| and has a high concentration of lysine. Lysine is | | | | be reaping the rewards of eating quinoa. |