Quinoa: The Perfect Food?

Quinoa is a food that many people have never heard of, but it might just be the perfect food.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) has been grown for thousands of years in the Andes mountains in South America. It was a very important part of the Incan diet and it's still sometimes referred to as "the gold of the Incas." Quinoa is often thought of as a grain but it's actually the seed of a leafy green plant called Chenopodium (also known as goosefoot), which is related to Swiss chard and spinach.

Quinoa has a structure similar to wheat or rice. Like grains, it can be eaten whole or ground into floor to make bread, cereal, or pasta. But unlike a lot of grains, quinoa is not stripped of its bran and germ when it's processed as a food source. When grains are refined to make white flour, white rice etc., the fiber-rich bran and vitamin-rich germ are removed, leaving only the endosperm behind. Quinoa always contains its bran and germ.

When cooked, quinoa is light, fluffy, slightly crunchy, and subtly flavored. It actually cooks and tastes like a grain. Quinoa cooks up in about 15 minutes and can be prepared on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a rice cooker. Be sure to combine two parts water or low-sodium broth with every one part quinoa.

The Benefits Of Quinoa

Contains essential amino acids. Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids. The only other plant-based food that contains all nine essential amino acids is soy. There are 20 amino acids the body needs to form protein, but it can only manufacture 11 of these. The other nine, which are called essential amino acids, must come from food.

Digests slowly. Quinoa is a complex carbohydrate that digets slowly and will not cause blood sugar levels and insulin levels to spike. It's also an excellent source of energy.

Is high in fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa contains five grams of fiber. Fiber helps keep your colon and arteries clean and healthy.

Induces satiety. The protein and fiber in quinoa induce satiety, which is a feeling of fullness and satisfaction.

Is high in vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is higher in calcium, B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc than most grains.

Contains phytonutrients. Quinoa contains phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals), which are chemical compounds that help reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Acts as a prebiotic. Quinoa acts as a prebiotic that feeds the microflora (good bacteria) in your intestines.

Is gluten free. Quinoa is gluten free and safe for those with gluten intolerance.

Quinoa is increasing in popularity but you still won't find it in many grocery stores. Look for it in more progessive grocery stores and in health food stores. You can also buy it online.

Quinoa is a fantastic food that anyone interested in good health should think about adding to their diet.