Health Benefits of Quinoa plus 3 Easy ways to Prepare

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Health Benefits of Quinoa plus 3 Easy ways to Prepare

Often mistaken for a grain, Quinoa is the nutty seed derived from the leafy quinoa plant that is closely related to spinach, chard and beets. Quinoa has been given the nickname “Mother Grain” by the ancient Inca Indians due to its vast nutritional value and extreme versatility. Quinoa appears in hues of yellow, red, brown and black; it has a subtle flavor that can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes…

Health Benefits of Quinoa:

  • Quinoa is an excellent source of zinc, copper, folic acid, calcium, manganese, magnesium, thiamin, niacin, dietary fiber, amino acids and vitamins E and B6.
  • Quinoa is a gluten and wheat free crop.
  • The antioxidant appeal of quinoa can fight off free radicals and strengthen the immune system.
  • The fiber and protein contained in quinoa can help manage a healthy weight.
  • Quinoa can help manage blood sugar levels.
  • The natural anti-inflammatory properties of quinoa can help manage pain and help suppress excess inflammation.
  • Quinoa contains the substance, quercetin that can aid in digestion and keep allergy flare-ups at bay.

3 Simple Ways to Prepare Quinoa:

  1. Boil it: Boiling is the most popular way of preparing quinoa. You simply rinse the seeds and place your desired amount into a pot of boiling water for approximately 15 minutes. (Keep in mind that quinoa expands in size when boiled). After it is boiled, you can add it to your stews, soups, salads, breads, yogurt or puddings.
  2. Pop it: To pop your quinoa, ready your skillet on a low flame and add in a layer of quinoa – it doesn’t pop as dramatically as popped corn, but it will pop sporadically. Allow your quinoa to warm and pop for about two minutes and then kill the heat. From here, you can add this crispy, nutty quinoa to your granola, yogurts, salads, cookies or just eat them plain.
  3. Mill it into flour: To make quinoa flour, sprout the seeds for 12 hours and then transfer it to your dehydrator or a warm oven. After it has dehydrated, mill it into flour with the use of a grinder such as the magic bullet. Once you have made your flour, you can add some to your protein shakes or use it in your baking recipes.

Side Effects of Quinoa:

Quinoa is a relatively safe crop to consume, however, the seed is coated with a natural substance called, saponins that can irritate the stomach. To avoid this, always rinse the quinoa before preparing. Also, quinoa may low triglyceride levels, therefore, persons taking triglyceride medications are advised not to consume. We make no claims that quinoa can cure any disease, please use the information in this post at your own risk and be sure to visit with your doctor before starting or stopping any new regimen.

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