Quinoa is one of the world’s best foods. Quinoa is a pointed oval and flat seed and it is found in pale yellow, red or brown colours. Pronounced as Keen-Wah, it is an ancient food that has been cultivated in South American Andes for thousands of years. The ancient Incas call it the “Mother Grain” and were once called “the gold of the Incas”, it was revered as sacred. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the 9 essential amino acids. It’s loaded with unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium. It’s a great food source for vegetarians who need their iron and protein from meat-free foods. It is also gluten free, making it easier to digest and for stomach health, especially if someone is gluten intolerant.
Health benefits include: Cardiovascular health- the low level of magnesium help decrease hypertension and atherosclerosis. A diet rich in whole grains help regulate high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Antioxidant protection- Quinoa is high in copper and manganese, both minerals are important in the protection from free radical damage. Helps with migraines- Quinoa is rich in magnesium which helps soothe blood vessels to prevent constriction. Magnesium is proven to decrease frequency of headaches. Other benefits include: aids with maintenance and regulation of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, breast cancer and asthma.
Quinoa tastes mild, slightly sweet and almost nutty texture when it’s cooked. It’s best to store it in a glass jar in the fridge. It is incredibly easy to cook with and can be used in place of rice by cooking it just as you would with rice. You can use it as a cereal, by cooking it as you would with porridge, adding fruit, nuts, yoghurt and honey. You can even use Quinoa in soups, casseroles, stir-fries and salads.
