Alternatives to Quinoa

AlyM725
AlyM725 Posts: 158 Member
edited December 1 in Food and Nutrition
I have recently discovered that I have a hard time digesting quinoa. It's caused a lot of, shall we say, intestinal distress. Too bad too, cause I love it! So I'd like to find an alternative that I can add to my meals. I know about brown rice, but are there any other grains that you enjoy that's worth looking in to? Thanks!

Replies

  • Lisa_Ookoo
    Lisa_Ookoo Posts: 134 Member
    I can't tolerate quinoa either, but I like farro and millet. You can order them from Amazon if your market doesn't carry them.
  • jpneugebauer
    jpneugebauer Posts: 10 Member
    Barley is really good as a pilaf
  • Strawblackcat
    Strawblackcat Posts: 944 Member
    Couscous is similar texture-wise, but it doesn't have the same nutritional profile since it's actually a pasta. Kaniwa would be more similar, in that case.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited May 2016
    Quinoa is high in fiber.
    If you are not used to very high fiber foods, your body will react.
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/444005-reactions-to-quinoa/
    I'm sure you rinsed the quinoa well first.
  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    In addition to what's already been mentioned, I really like spelt.
  • weehah
    weehah Posts: 81 Member
    Farro! Farro! Farro! My new favorite. I love the 'chew' of it - sort of like barley but better - and it's so versatile!
  • weehah
    weehah Posts: 81 Member
    Farro! Farro! Farro! My new favorite. I love the 'chew' of it - sort of like barley but better - and it's so versatile!
  • weehah
    weehah Posts: 81 Member
    Oops didn't mean to post that twice. : )
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Buckwheat.
    Couscous for texture.
  • AlyM725
    AlyM725 Posts: 158 Member
    edited May 2016
    JanetYellen wrote: »
    Quinoa is high in fiber.
    If you are not used to very high fiber foods, your body will react.
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/444005-reactions-to-quinoa/
    I'm sure you rinsed the quinoa well first.

    I do rinse it throughly! Probably too thoroughly. As for the fiber of it, I've been eating it daily for almost two months now, but the tummy issues have only started a few weeks ago. I removed various things from my diet. Last night I didn't have any quinoa, and my symptoms disappeared. I do have a lot of food sensitivities, and my doctor has mentioned Leaky Gut Syndrome. Hopefully I'll have some answers someday.

    Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll look in to them!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Sweet potatoes and white potatoes are usually easier to digest than grains.
  • brrrycicle
    brrrycicle Posts: 64 Member
    Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Couscous looks and tastes almost exactly like quinoa in my book.
  • AlyM725
    AlyM725 Posts: 158 Member
    brrrycicle wrote: »
    Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Couscous looks and tastes almost exactly like quinoa in my book.
    I'll have to check it out, thanks!
    RodaRose wrote: »
    Sweet potatoes and white potatoes are usually easier to digest than grains.

    White potatoes are a trigger food, I'd eat them all! And sweet potatoes are one of the very few vegetables that I don't like, but thanks for your input!
  • mjwarbeck
    mjwarbeck Posts: 699 Member
    Try all the different grains. The common ones we use are the different quinoas (white, black, red), amaranth, bulgar, millet, wheat berries (usually in a salad), buckwheat, kamut....and there are many more.

    We also eat cous cous (the small and large) and make polenta.
  • LuckyNumbers
    LuckyNumbers Posts: 208 Member
    I really like kamut - it keeps well in the fridge and has a nutty flavor.
  • AlyM725
    AlyM725 Posts: 158 Member
    I tried farro last night, and it was pretty good! I didn't have any digestive issues, of course it usually takes a while for that to start. But I may try more grains and cous cous just to switch it up. Thanks all!
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