Quinoa: The Super Food Super Grain

The pursuit of a healthy lifestyle can be challenging.

Making changes to your diet can be one of the hardest things to do because, think about it, you have spent the large majority of your life eating without much regard for nutritional value.

How do you suddenly make drastic changes to the foods you eat and still feel satiated? What are some foods that pack a nutritional punch and provide you with flavor at the same time?

Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute knows this. We want to help you by providing you with the latest in cutting edge information. We want to see you succeed. There really are foods out there that taste great and can help you lose weight too.

Quinoa is one of them. Perhaps you have heard of this super food. It is full of dense nutrients and protein and can be used in a variety of ways. Let’s take a look at this grain that is so much more than meets the eye.

Quinoa is a super grain that dates back thousands of years. The Inca’s realized its value for creating and maintaining stamina for their warriors long ago. In 2013 the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations even deemed it the year of the quinoa. Now that’s saying something. This amazing grain is full of protein and that helps you feel full longer. It is also packed with amino acids. Not only that, quinoa has high amounts of riboflavin, magnesium, lysine, and manganese. It is rich in fiber too.

So what do all these nutrients do and why should you care? Fiber aids in digestion amongst other things, riboflavin is great for cells by assisting in the production of energy, magnesium promotes control of blood sugar and regulates body temperature, and even assists in creating healthy teeth and bones. In order for your body’s tissue to repair itself and have optimal growth lysine is needed. Manganese is wonderful for protecting cells from injury due to free radicals.

And quinoa has all of these! Oh, and for those with gluten sensitivity, quinoa is the grain for you. It complements gluten sensitive diets as well.

Now that you know some of the scientific benefits of quinoa, how do you prepare it? Quinoa is a grain so it can be used in place of white or brown rice in most recipes. It is also a great addition to granola. It is really easy to prepare as well. Simply take one part quinoa to two parts liquid, water or a broth of some kind, bring to a boil together and then simmer for around fifteen minutes. It is as simple as that.

Quinoa has a simplistic nutty taste and, once prepared, is fluffy like rice. You may taste the difference on your first try but soon after you won’t notice a thing. You will feel fuller longer and can rest easy knowing you have fed your body one of the most incredible whole foods on the planet.