Day #14 – Eat Quinoa – the Queen of Grains!

Eat clean action step:

Looking for a higher protein and gluten free grain? If so – give quinoa a try!

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a gluten free grain option that is chock full of nutritional benefits. Having 2x the amount of fiber vs. other grains, quinoa is also rich in magnesium, B vitamins and iron. Quinoa is also a great option for vegetarians as it is a complete protein source containing all 9 essential amino acids.

Although often classified as a grain, quinoa is actually in the same family as beets, chard and spinach.  Quinoa can be eaten in the same way as any grain, or ground into flour and used for baking. With it’s lower ranking on the glycemic index (a tool to measure blood sugar response), quinoa offers slow-releasing energy to power you through your day.

A 100 gram serving of quinoa provides 14 g of protein, 6 g of fat and 4 grams of fibre. Its subtle nutty flavor can be enjoyed either hot or cold and is a great addition to salads, soups, and stews or as a substitute for rice or pasta. Quinoa can even be used as a great breakfast alternative to oats and oatmeal.

Get Dr. Joey’s high-protein citrus quinoa salad recipe here. 

Photo by Chatelaine