Getty ImagesClaudia Totir
First things first: Do you know how to actually say the word quinoa?
The correct answer is...wait for it...KEEN-wah. (Don't believe me? The receipts come courtesy of my good friend, Merriam-Webster.)
But
no matter how you've been pronouncing the word, I hope you've been
eating the gluten-free ancient grain, because it comes with a ton of
health benefits.
1. Quinoa is packed with protein.
Quinoa has way more of the muscle-building nutrient
than most of the grain options you'll find at the supermarket. Added
bonus: It’s a ~complete~ protein, meaning it contains all the nine
essential amino acids your body needs (most plant-based proteins only
have some of those key amino acids).
“Incorporating
just one cup of quinoa a day into something like a grain bowl with
other veggies or adding it to homemade soup will add eight grams of
protein,” says nutritionist Maggie Michalczyk, M.S., RD.
2. ...And fiber.
You’ll
get five grams of the filling nutrient per each one-cup serving. “Most
Americans aren't meeting the daily recommended amount of fiber [that
would be 25 to 28 grams per day for an adult woman, according to the Institute of Medicine's dietary guidelines], so cooking with quinoa is a great way to get more,” says Michalczyk.
That fibre won't just keep you, uh, regular, either. Since quinoa is low in
fat and sugar and contains complex carbs, you’ll feel full without a ton
of bloat to weigh you down.
3. Quinoa may help keep you at a healthy weight.
We've
talked about how that protein plus fiber combo is
super-satisfying—especially great if you're trying to lose a few pounds,
says Michalczyk.
4. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, if that's your thing.
If
you have Celiac's disease or a gluten intolerance, you don't have to
suffer through pasta envy anymore—quinoa is a legit way to indulge your
carb habit (way better than corn or rice flour, which don't have as much
nutritional value, says Michalczyk).
5. ...And it totally has you covered in the vitamins and minerals department.
Speaking
of vitamins and minerals...quinoa comes with a dose of iron and
magnesium. “Magnesium is important for muscle contraction and
relaxation, as well as bone health, and iron is extremely important for
your red blood cells because it helps to carry oxygen from your lungs to
the rest of your body,” says Michalczyk.
She recommends soaking quinoa in water before you cook it so your body can absorb even more of these key nutrients.
6. Quinoa may even help regulate your blood-sugar levels.
Good
news for your ticker: “Quinoa has a low glycemic index, which is a
measure of how quickly a food will raise your blood sugar,” says
Michalczyk. And regular blood-sugar levels equal a lower risk for scary
conditions like heart disease and diabetes, she explains.
Ready to prep a big batch? Try these fun ways to use it:
Warm Garbanzo and Quinoa SaladClick Here For More Articles
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