Quinoa: Gluten-Free Nutrient Powerhouse
QUINOA is an incredible food. It is GLUTEN-FREE, high in PROTEIN (containing all 9 essential amino acids), high in FIBER, and also includes FLAVENOIDS/ANTIOXIDANTS, and important MICRONUTRIENTS.
Quinoa is extremely NUTRITIOUS. It's actually a seed that is prepared and eaten like a grain, and is counted as a WHOLE GRAIN food. There are three main types: white, red and black. In one cup of quinoa you will find:
8 g of PROTEIN
5 g of FIBER
58% of RDA Manganese, 30% of RDA Magnesium, 28% of RDA Phosphorus, 19% of RDA Folate, 18% of RDA Copper, 15% of RDA Iron, 13% of RDA Zinc, 9% of RDA Potassium, and over 10% of RDA Vitamins B1, B2 & B6
220 CALORIES
39 g CARBOHYDRATES
4 g FAT
Small amounts of heart-healthy Omega 3 fatty acids
Quinoa is GLUTEN-FREE. Considering that about one third of the U. S. population avoids gluten, using quinoa instead of typical gluten-free products made with refined tapioca starches, and potato, corn and rice flours, offers you more nutritional bang for your buck to increase nutrient and antioxidant value of the diet.
Quinoa is high in PROTEIN and includes all nine essential amino acids. Protein is created from amino acids. "Essential" means that we have to get the amino acids from our diet because our bodies do not make them on their own. Quinoa has MORE and BETTER protein than most grains at 8 g per cup!
Quinoa is rich in important MINERALS that most people lack: manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, copper, iron, zinc, potassium, B1, B2, B6.
Quinoa contains the FLAVENOIDS (Plant ANTIOXIDANTS) QUERCETIN and KAEMPFEROL which have been proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant effects, at least in animal studies.
Quinoa is a POWERHOUSE. It's a nutrient dense, protein dense whole grain that is naturally GLUTEN- FREE. It is easy and quick to cook and is fabulous in salads, soups, casseroles, breakfast bowls, pilafs, desserts. Check out CookingLight.com for some amazing quinoa recipes like Veggie Quinoa Soup, Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Radish and Green Bean Quinoa, Quinoa Crusted Chicken Nuggets, Black Bean-Quinoa Salad with Basil-Lemon Dressing, Egg-Topped Quinoa Bowl, and more!
