The ancient Incan grain Quiona has recently made it’s way into the US and is rapidly gaining popularity. And with good reason as we will explore in this article all about quinoa nutrition facts. Mind you, quinoa is pronounced KEEN-wah and was revered by the Inca in Peru. Not only was it a staple of their diet for ages, it was also thought of as a sacred, god-like plant.

This grain is a complete protein which is one of the reasons why it has been used for such a period of time. It contains all essential amino acids our bodies need including lysine. Curiously quinoa is full of this essential nutrient. Amino acids are needed by your body to create proteins that are then used in repairing and building muscle fibers. In our present diet, we get the majority of our protein from animal products. Part of the reason why is because there are only a few vegetarian foods out there that possess all the amino acids our bodies require. It is one of the reasons Quinoa is called the mother of all grains and is classified as a superfood.

Being low in cholesterol and sodium in addition to providing lots of soluble fiber is yet another big reason why giving this old grain a try may be a great idea. Quinoa is even full of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Niacine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosperous, and Manganese. Put simply is packed with essential vitamins and minerals at the same time still being incredibly low in calories. It comes to no-ones surprise that it is now labeled as a super food.

With all that fiber and protein, it is a great food to incorporate when you are attempting to lose some fat since both these nutrients help keep you full longer. You can make it instead of rice, potatoes, pasta and other white starches. It’s better for you and you won’t have to fret about sugar cravings later.

It also happens to be a gluten-free food and lends itself to a number of healthy dishes like quinoa breads, puddings, breakfast cereal and various side dishes that taste very much like pilafs or risottos. Cooked quinoa can also be added to salads to give it some crunch and nutty flavor in addition to making the salad more filling.

But why would you want to eat it? Here’s why you should give quinoa a serious chance as a grain in your eating plan It can boost your heart health and is a great source of antioxidants which may prevent cancer. It also contains quite a big of lignans which help shield your heart. Last but not least, let’s not forget that it is also a whole grain food which I don’t have to tell you is an important part of a healthy diet.

Isn’t it time to give Quinoa a try? Take this easy quinoa muffins recipe for instance. Quinoa is also a gluten free food, making it a good choice for anybody living a gluten-free lifestyle. As are these easy gluten free oatmeal cookies you don’t want to overlook.

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