Why on earth would you ever eat fucking quinoa?!?!, you ask incredulously.
Good question!
After all, quinoa is actually a seed from the same family as beets, Swiss chard, and spinach, all of which are yucky in their own right.
Quinoa = 🤮
But here’s the thing…
Plants produce natural chemicals called phytonutrients to protect themselves against threats like germs and fungi, for example. Some of those compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote overall health and prevent certain diseases when ingested by humans. Well, quinoa is a rich source of phytonutrients with those attributes. Quinoa also contains several other nutrients with health benefits. For instance, quinoa provides more monounsaturated fat than other whole grains or psuedocereals and small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are good for the heart by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and raising “good” HDL cholesterol. Another nutrient is magnesium, which is not only beneficial for the heart but may also help with blood sugar regulation to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes. In fact, at 20 percent of the daily value in one serving, quinoa is an excellent source of that mineral.
As demonstrated, quinoa has many things that make it worth eating for those concerned about their health. But what about those who are concerned with more pressing matters, like their looks?
Well, quinoa is worth eating for that purpose, too!
There are many reasons to include fiber in your diet, one of them being that it can contribute to weight management by promoting satiety so you’re less inclined to snack between meals or overeat at subsequent feedings, thus helping to reduce overall calorie intake. Protein has that same effect on appetite. Even more so, unlike many other plant foods, the amino acid profile of quinoa is complete, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body can’t make on its own. Some of those essential amino acids, like leucine, are crucial for the synthesis of proteins that are specifically responsible for the repair and growth of muscle tissue.
Yeah, I know, quinoa sounds mighty, mighty tasty right about now, especially if you’re vegan or practicing a plant-based lifestyle!
Quinoa Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (93g)
• Calories: 111
• Total Fat: 1.8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 6.5mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 2.6g
• Sugar: 0.8g
• Protein: 4.1g
Glossary: amino acid, calories, diet, muscle, vegan, veganism
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