Day 4 Of 7 Healthy Favorite Foods And Snacks

Today I will tell you why quinoa should be a staple in everyone's kitchen.  Quinoa  is treated as a grain, when actually it is a seed and is naturally gluten free.  Quinoa cooks pretty quick and can easily replace rice or pasta during any meal of  the week.  One cup cooked provides 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, making it very nutritional.  However it is high in carbohydrates and calories.  It is not meant for a low carb diet.  One cup cooked contains about 220 calories with 39 grams of carbohydrates.

There are 3 types of quinoa, white, red and black.
It has many vitamins and minerals including, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, and over 10% of the RDA for vitamins B1, B2, and B6.

For a grain type food quinoa is very high in protein and fiber.  It is low on the glycemic index at 53.  The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels.

Quinoa is loaded with antioxidants.  These I have mentioned before, they neutralize free radials and are believed to help fight aging.  Since it is high in protein and fiber it can also help with weight loss by increasing fullness, leading us to eat less.

Quinoa is easy to make and find, and it can be part of any meal.  It is one of the healthiest and nutritious foods around.  It is worth trying.  So go get some quinoa today and enjoy.