Quinoa is well known as a ‘superfood’. Quinoa, pronounced “Keen-wah” is a tiny seed, low in calories and packed full of nutrients. It is beneficial for heart disease, diabetes, gluten intolerance and kidney disease. Quinoa is easy to prepare, versatile and easy to eat!
The only down side to quinoa is the protective substance the plant excretes to deter from being eaten. It is a bitter tasting substance which must be washed off first. Just fill a pot with cold water, ‘wash’ the quinoa in it, then tip into a sieve over the sink and repeat. Most retailers stock pre-rinsedquinoa, some will need to be rinsed well.
One cooked cup of quinoa has only 220 calories and a Glycaemic Index of 18. It is low in fat and high in fibre, making it a good carbohydrate choice for diabetics. Quinoa is a complete protein food, providing all the essential amino acids.
The range and level of essential vitamins and minerals in quinoa, is of interest to doctors. High in potassium and low in sodium, quinoa helps alleviate symptoms of heart and kidney disease. It is also great for anaemia, containing both iron and folate in large amounts. Quinoa contains no gluten and is a delicious meal choice for gluten intolerance and celiac disease.