Monday, April 25, 2011

Super Food: Quinoa

Super foods are typically good sources for things like omega three fatty acids or antioxidants, which have been shown to help reduce the risk for health problems, such as heart disease. There is not a universal consensus on what makes a super food, but from a nutritional aspect, quinoa is a great choice for fiber and vitamin E.

I like to use quinoa in place of rice or pasta as a side with many main courses. It's also great as a base for cold summer salads like this one:


As the above website notes, quinoa has a high oil content, so make sure you store it in a container with a good seal so it doesn't become rancid.

Here's a blurb from WebMD about the health benefits of quinoa:

Quinoa is now readily available in many supermarkets and is one of the best whole grains you can eat, according to Zied. "It is an ancient grain, easy to make, interesting, high in protein (8 grams in 1 cup cooked), fiber (5 grams per cup) and a naturally good source of iron," she says. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) also has plenty of zinc, vitamin E, and selenium to help control your weight and lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, she says. Quinoa is as easy to prepare as rice and can be eaten alone or mixed with vegetables, nuts, or lean protein for a whole-grain medley. Try to make at least half your daily grain servings whole grains. In addition to quinoa, try barley, oats, buckwheat, whole wheat, wild rice, and millet.


No comments:

Post a Comment