Quinoa - superfood

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Replies

  • OseaHello
    OseaHello Posts: 28
    I LOVE quinoa!! It tastes good and is easy to make. I get the organic quinoa at Costco..yum yum!
  • yellowdog77
    yellowdog77 Posts: 64
    Ok this may be a crazy question but how much does 1/4 dry quinoa make? Have a box but have not cooked it because I was not sure how to add it to my food diary once it was cooked.

    Thanks
  • christina0089
    christina0089 Posts: 709 Member
    Ok so being as it is a sub for rice and pasta. Both of which I love, I am going to have to give it a try. I have been trying not to have pasta as often and I think I have had rice once since I started this 35 days ago so this is gonna be good. I want to make a stir fry this weekend. Any good suggestions are appreciated.
  • JulaMonster
    JulaMonster Posts: 51 Member
    ...here's the great part, it digests as a protien and not a carb!

    I don't mean to sound negative, as I also love quinoa, but would someone care to back that one up with some science? I certainly don't see how a grain that is high in carbohydrates & moderate in protein levels, could be "digested as a protein."

    It is a complete protein (contains all of the essential amino acids) which is another reason why I love it (I'm vegan) but this "digests as a protein" thing is bunk.

    Indeed, I think the confusion here is that it is a complete protein (the only grain which is a complete protein, by the way), which is why it can seem 'better' or more filling than rice or some other grain. (In comparison, rice is not a complete protein, and so to be truly nutritionally beneficial, needs to be eaten with another protein (partial or whole), like with beans or meat. Beans and rice anyone?) However, it still contains carbohydrates, so consider it both a protein and a carb (rather than just a carb, or just a protein).
  • JulaMonster
    JulaMonster Posts: 51 Member
    And for my family, quinoa is as much a staple as any other grain or starch. If it weren't so pricey, I'd never buy rice again and only cook quinoa. For newcomers to quinoa (which is pronounced KEEN-wah), it is best when cooked just like you would rice, but with chicken stock (or veggie stock, etc) instead of plain water. It is excellent with diced mushrooms and onions (cooked along with the quinoa), and is great with stirfry. It has much more flavor than rice, it's nutty and rich, so it goes best with other rich, flavorful foods (roast chicken, beef or pork dishes, salmon, etc).
  • amoeba15
    amoeba15 Posts: 38 Member
    ...here's the great part, it digests as a protien and not a carb!

    I don't mean to sound negative, as I also love quinoa, but would someone care to back that one up with some science? I certainly don't see how a grain that is high in carbohydrates & moderate in protein levels, could be "digested as a protein."

    It is a complete protein (contains all of the essential amino acids) which is another reason why I love it (I'm vegan) but this "digests as a protein" thing is bunk.

    Indeed, I think the confusion here is that it is a complete protein (the only grain which is a complete protein, by the way), which is why it can seem 'better' or more filling than rice or some other grain. (In comparison, rice is not a complete protein, and so to be truly nutritionally beneficial, needs to be eaten with another protein (partial or whole), like with beans or meat. Beans and rice anyone?) However, it still contains carbohydrates, so consider it both a protein and a carb (rather than just a carb, or just a protein).

    The thing about combining proteins is a myth from a book in the 70s. The author of the book actually now states that you don't need to combine. You see, your body "pools" all of the amino acids together so as long as you're eating a balanced diet you're fine. You don't have to combine your foods at each meal.
  • JulaMonster
    JulaMonster Posts: 51 Member
    Quinoa is quite awesome. I like to use it in salads as well and sometimes I sub it in soups that normally call for rice.
    I like quinoa, but it's kind of pricey. I'm a big fan of bulgur wheat, which is also pretty good!

    Look in the bulk bins at your grocery store. I got mine for $2.00 a pound.

    It's $1.29 a pound for me. :-D

    Goodness! It's $4.99/lb for me, I think the cheapest I've ever seen is $3.59 :sad:
  • JulaMonster
    JulaMonster Posts: 51 Member
    ...here's the great part, it digests as a protien and not a carb!

    I don't mean to sound negative, as I also love quinoa, but would someone care to back that one up with some science? I certainly don't see how a grain that is high in carbohydrates & moderate in protein levels, could be "digested as a protein."

    It is a complete protein (contains all of the essential amino acids) which is another reason why I love it (I'm vegan) but this "digests as a protein" thing is bunk.

    Indeed, I think the confusion here is that it is a complete protein (the only grain which is a complete protein, by the way), which is why it can seem 'better' or more filling than rice or some other grain. (In comparison, rice is not a complete protein, and so to be truly nutritionally beneficial, needs to be eaten with another protein (partial or whole), like with beans or meat. Beans and rice anyone?) However, it still contains carbohydrates, so consider it both a protein and a carb (rather than just a carb, or just a protein).

    The thing about combining proteins is a myth from a book in the 70s. The author of the book actually now states that you don't need to combine. You see, your body "pools" all of the amino acids together so as long as you're eating a balanced diet you're fine. You don't have to combine your foods at each meal.

    While that is true, you can still get complete protein from one incomplete food source, you won't get as much out of it as if you combined it with another source. Most foods we consider incomplete proteins still contain all the amino acids, just not in the optimal ratios for us to make those into complete proteins. For a food to be considered a complete protein, it has to have all the amino acids in the best ratios. And no, you don't have to combine foods in each meal, but to get the most benefit the meals should be back to back (as in beans for lunch, rice for dinner). I have a feeling this 'pooling' effect would last only as long as any given food remains in your digestive system :wink:
  • bjfrezell
    bjfrezell Posts: 241
    I've read that it's yummy with a splash of milk, a teaspoon of brown sugar, and some raisins. I've tried it warmed with blueberries, milk, and truvia for breakfast.
  • xMedullaOblongatax
    xMedullaOblongatax Posts: 136
    The trick is to saute the quinoa lightly with a little olive oil, before you cook it, I use half low sodium chicken broth and half water to add flavor to it, sauteing the quinoa beforehand helps it retain a great grainy texture :)

    OMG thats what I do too! I also throw in a TON of garlic :D
  • briyowes
    briyowes Posts: 757 Member
    Quinoa has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it a complete protein source. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.
  • gregavila
    gregavila Posts: 723 Member
    We had just read that same information last week...which is great as we love quinoa.
  • jeffarthur
    jeffarthur Posts: 123 Member
    it's like "nature's brillo pad"...every time i eat it I spend at least the equal amount of time (to the meal) in the toilet....Mary, bar the door...whew!
  • Takes2long
    Takes2long Posts: 367 Member
    I've tried it and wasn't too thrilled. it was pretty plain, and had a 'beany' taste. I'll try it again because I have it. Next time, though, I'll try roasting it first. I'll also cook it with some broth. Hopefully I can work it into our familys menu :-)
  • amoeba15
    amoeba15 Posts: 38 Member
    I've tried it and wasn't too thrilled. it was pretty plain, and had a 'beany' taste. I'll try it again because I have it. Next time, though, I'll try roasting it first. I'll also cook it with some broth. Hopefully I can work it into our familys menu :-)

    Try this:

    Take 3/4 of a cup of spinach, add 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa (cooked in broth if you want), 1/4 cup cooked chickpeas and some balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It's a quick salad and it's delicious.
  • everythingispossible
    everythingispossible Posts: 10
    I agree, quinoa is delicious! My mom actually made a recipe using quinoa this past summer and that was the first time I had tried it... I'm so glad that I did because it's some pretty great stuff.
    It's also good in a stir-fry, soup, stuffed peppers, etc...
  • blissfuldrake
    blissfuldrake Posts: 128 Member
    I have a friend who is gluten intolerant. She introduced me to quinoa....THEN she brought on the RED quinoa...it is even better!
  • jamja72
    jamja72 Posts: 119 Member
    Quinoa is a seed not a grain but I love it. My favorite recipe is drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, feta and almond slivers. Served cold -awesome
  • DenimDiva
    DenimDiva Posts: 13
    Tonight I made it with part white wine vinegar and it was very good!
    I have a friend who is gluten intolerant. She introduced me to quinoa....THEN she brought on the RED quinoa...it is even better!

    Last time I went grocery shopping I picked up some of the red. I look forward to trying it!
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    I've been using it for 2 weeks now, and I am in so much love with quinoa. Loved it in black beans and peppers, loved it with tacos, loved it with shredded pork and cilantro lime, and planning to make my first summer salad with it next week.
  • CTK3989
    CTK3989 Posts: 109 Member
    I just bought some for the first time and it's not my favorite, the kids can tolerate it, and my husband hates it. I'm going to try to finish the bag, but I probably won't buy it again. I put a little worchestershire sauce in it and it tasted okay.
  • Brightstar4031
    Brightstar4031 Posts: 50 Member
    :laugh:
    I rather starve to death
  • FlyByJuly
    FlyByJuly Posts: 564 Member
    I've used quinoa as a bed for my Korean teriyaki baked salmon.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    I like it ok but not my favorite. I added it to ground turkey i made for tacos and couldn't tell it was in there. I will most likely use it that way than on it's own. I have yet to find a recipe i really like with it.
  • lmd172
    lmd172 Posts: 172
    .
  • kelketchum
    kelketchum Posts: 15 Member
    Where is the grocery store can I find this?
  • amoeba15
    amoeba15 Posts: 38 Member
    You can usually find it by the rice.
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