The amazing benefits of quinoa!

by Kate Rose on

Quinoa is an ancient food, originally grown in South America by the famous Inca people. The Incas knew about the benefits of quinoa, and now people around the world are discovering more amazing quinoa nutrition facts!

quinoa benefits

It is in fact not a grain; it is a seed and related to the spinach family. When cooked, quinoa is light, fluffy, slightly crunchy and subtly flavored. It actually cooks and tastes like a grain, making it an excellent replacement for grains like wheat, oats, and barley. This is because quinoa is gluten-free!

Some of the nutrients in quinoa include:

  • Complete protein. Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids that are required by the body as building blocks for muscles.
  • Magnesium helps relax your muscles and blood vessels and effects blood pressure. Quinoa contains high levels of this vital nutrient.
  • Fiber. Quinoa is a wonderful way to ensure that you consume valuable fiber that eases elimination and tones your colon.
  • Manganese and copper. Quinoa is a good source of these minerals that act as antioxidants in your body to get rid of dangerous cancer and disease-causing substances.

Quinoa: In Depth

Many doctors and nutritionists now recommend quinoa because it does not feed fungal and bacterial infections in your body. Quinoa has other qualities that make it an ideal “grain”:

  • Quinoa acts as a prebiotic that feeds the microflora (good bacteria) in your intestines.
  • Quinoa is easily digested for optimal absorption of nutrients.
  • Quinoa is gluten-free and safe for those with gluten intolerance, people on a coeliac diet, and for autistic children who follow the Body Ecology program for autism.

Hey… get in touch with me and we can talk ‘quinoa’

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Subject

Your Message

Security: Enter the code below and press Send
captcha

{ 0 comments }

Quinoa protein: more info

by Kate Rose on

Quinoa is a complete protein, which means that it contains all the amino acids necessary for our nutritional needs. Complete proteins are rare in the plant world, making quinoa an excellent food for vegetarians and vegans, or for anyone looking for healthy protein source. It’s also high in iron and calcium, and is a good source of manganese, magnesium and copper, as well as fiber.

More about amino acids: Protein is an essential part of the diet as it provides amino acids that are the building blocks of protein in the body. Some amino acids are produced naturally in our bodies. Others have to come from the food that we eat – these are called essential amino acids. A diet which contains a variety of protein sources is ideal because a single protein source usually does not have all essential amino acids that we need.

Protein constituent breakdown:

A diet that contains a variety of foods is recommended by nutritional experts to have balance and an adequate supply of all essential nutrients. Quinoa may be a protein source worth considering.

Table 1:
Amino Acids and protein in Quinoa
Essential
Amino Acid		 Quinoa
mg/g protein
Methionine + cystine 21
Lysine 51
Tryptophan 8
Valine 45
Threonine 30
Phenylalanine + tyrosine 74
Histadine 25
Isoleucine 37
Leucine 64

{ 0 comments }

Quinoa benefits part 3

by Kate Rose on

There is more and more astonishing research coming out every day, to do with the benefits of quinoa eating and the impact it can have on your health.
First of all, there are a number of downsides to conventional/popular grains. The best example of this is wheat.

In fact here is a good article discussing the many issues and risks

- bodyecology.com/articles/risks_consuming_grains.php

But to summarise, here are the main benefits of quinoa…

- High protein value (above 15%) and with a complete spectrum of proteins (amino acids)
- Complete Nutritional profile, including high fiber, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and copper.
- Easy to grow, easy to cook. (Similar cooking procedure to rice)
- Good for your digestive system
- Source of calcium
- Suitable for gluten intolerant people and lactose intolerant (lactards)
- Detoxifying power

oh yeh, and it tastes great!

More details to come on the studies and findings.! when I get my paperwork together ;P

{ 0 comments }

The real benefits of eating quinoa

by Kate Rose on

Quinoa is very fast becoming well known as one of the most healthy grains available. Although technically it is a seed, not a grain, the fact that it is high in protein, fibre, and other important minerals means that it can replace grains like wheat or rice as a staple dietary food.

The popularity of quinoa is increasing so much that it is becoming even easier to prepare, easier to find, and cheaper to prepare.
Many of us will remember the days when quinoa was sold in bulk 3lb (1kg) bags and had to be washed repeatedly to make it ready for food preparation.
These days you can find pre-washed quinoa that will be ready to eat in as little as 20 minutes.

Two of the most popular replacements for quinoa are as a replacement for rice in savoury dishes, and as a replacement for oats in sweet breakfast dishes.

Due to the high-fibre nature of the quinoa seed, it acts as a regulator of your blood sugar and metabolism, and it also helps you feel more satisfied which reduces food cravings and can assist in weight loss.

Here’s some more quinoa benefits:

1. Quinoa is high in minerals like magnesium, manganese and copper.
Magnesium intake can help in providing more restful sleep and improving heart-health.
2. Quinoa can assist in cholesterol reduction.
There are supporting studies in European medical-science journals dated in recent years (2009, 2010).
3. Quinoa contains ALL 9 essential amino acids (proteins) necessary for muscle and bone development and repair.

The best way to find out is to eat this remarkable food for yourself, and you will soon find out why quinoa is becoming so popular.

:)

Enjoy!

- Kate

{ 0 comments }

More interesting quinoa nutrition facts, and a curious phone conversation

by Kate Rose on

Here are some things you maybe didn’t know about the nutritional benefits of quinoa…

1. Quinoa is not just the best grain you could put into your body, but it is also the source of many valuable vitamins and minerals , that you WILL NOT get from other popular grains such as wheat, rice, etc. The reason is that so many of these processed grains we have available to us are just that — PROCESSED – which means that the wholesome goodness is not in them anymore.

For instance, there is undoubtedly a great nutritional value in eating whole wheat, but it is very rare that you would even get given this. The 3 parts that make up the whole of the wheat grain are seperated and the resultant product that is served to you is not whole-wheat it is just milled flour.

2. Quinoa on the other hand is made BY vegan health junkies FOR normal people , it’s like mana from heaven. In fact as I have stated AD NASEUM in my blog, it is NOT a grain, it is a SEED. It’s funny we get probably 2 or 3 dozen comments a day asking the same question – NO ITS NOT A GRAIN. I had a furious argument with my cousin from Toowoomba on the phone the other night over that very point.

But my point is

3. Eating quinoa is part of a healthy lifestyle , it’s really the benefit you get from being part of a different CULTURE. The number of friends I have lost on this quinoa journey is countless, because many of them CANNOT ACCEPT that you have elevated yourself to a higher level of nutrition, in fact you are putting your body and the bodies of your family first. I will not subject my children to the nutritional garbage that gets delivered day-to-day in our school canteens, and over the counter at milk-bars. It’s funny how smoking is banned, despite a lack of evidence that it causes any sort of real harm, except maybe for yellowing your fingernails, and that quinoa and other grains are not readily provided.

I have written to the local government many times, in fact I almost think quinoa should replace fluoride in our water supply, I am that enamoured by it!

4. Quinoa is sexy. There is nothing as appealing as a man eating a quinoa salad, the seeds dangling from his fork and he enjoys the tasty quinoa and you can see the impact this has on his muscles and testosterone levels. The same thing happens for females, you will see marked improvements in your vitality and physical appearance if you eat quinoa wisely and often.  Some-time in the future I plan to hold quinoa-swinger-parties where we have quinoa and vegan h’ors douevres followed by a wild night of vegan shagging.

Oh and as they say in France , bon appetit!

Quinoa freak out!

- kate.

{ 0 comments }

Great Quinoa photos

by Kate Rose on

Some cool quinoa photos:

Elements
quinoa

Image by lynn.gardner
Elements for &quotFresh From The Careers’ Packs: Super Healthier Dried Fruit Quinoa Salad&quot from The Unofficial Hunger Video games Cookbook

Salmon with Strawberry Salsa
quinoa

Image by nyxie
served it with quinoa and frivolously sauteed veggies

{ 0 comments }

10 Things You Need to Eat: Quinoa

by Kate Rose on

Authors Anahad O’Connor and Dave Lieberman discuss their new book, The 10 Things You Need to Eat: And More Than 100 Easy and Delicious Ways to Prepare Them

{ 6 comments }

Q&A: Does anyone know anything about growing Amaranth or Quinoa in a garden?

by Kate Rose on

quinoa
by EvaSan

Question by Jeff B: Does anyone know anything about growing Amaranth or Quinoa in a garden?
I live in Northeast Ohio and I don’t know if it is even possible (given the weather). Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Best answer:

Answer by Cindy B
You should have no problem growing Amaranth in Ohio. The soil temperature needs to be above 70 degrees to germinate seeds.

Quinoa is another story. It can NOT take high heat at blooming or seed setting. Needs short days to bloom, takes light frost. Excellent production in the high valleys in the Rocky Mountains.

Good Luck!!

What do you think? Answer below!

{ 1 comment }

buffalo quinoa bites seven

Check out out these quinoa pictures: buffalo quinoa bites seven Image by miki’s kitchen area recipe: heymikiheymiki.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/buffalo-chicken-q… buffalo quinoa bites 6 Picture by miki’s cooking area recipe: heymikiheymiki.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/buffalo-chicken-q… buffalo quinoa bites 8 Picture by miki’s cooking area recipe: heymikiheymiki.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/buffalo-chicken-q…

Read the full article →

Quinoa Basic

1 cup quinoa 2 cups broth. Bring to a boil then turn down heat and allow to simmer for 15 – 20 minutes until quinoa has absorbed all liquid and is soft and fluffy. Video Rating: 0 / 5

Read the full article →

Where is it possible to get quinoa and amaranth?

by doviende Question by Miss Independent: Where is it possible to get quinoa and amaranth? In what store? Best answer: Answer by jfspineWhere do you live? Add your own answer in the comments!

Read the full article →

Great Quinoa images

Some great quinoa images: Spicy Lemon Sesame Vinaigrette Picture by lynn.gardner Vinaigrette for &quotFresh From The Careers’ Packs: Super Healthful Dried Fruit Quinoa Salad&quot from The Unofficial Hunger Online games Cookbook.

Read the full article →

Bagalabath with Quinoa

blog.rayasams.com Radha’s home made comfort food. Video Rating: 5 / 5

Read the full article →

Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves, Paredones, Chile

Some cool quinoa pictures: Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves, Paredones, Chile Image by Fernando Mandujano Degustación de galletas de quínoa. Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves, Paredones, Cardenal Caro, Chile. Una devoción surgida en Roma en el siglo IV, con fuerte presencia en España medieval pasó a América y es la Patrona [...]

Read the full article →

Q&A: Any good recipes for Quinoa?

Question by Michelle L: Any good recipes for Quinoa? I have a couple ways that I like to cook it…but, I would like to know of some other recipes…if anyone out there has any good ones, please share….thanks. Best answer: Answer by CharlesWhat is Quinoa? Seriously i have no idea? Never Mind i looked it [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries