6 Reasons To Eat Quinoa
Have you ever tried quinoa? You’ve certainly noticed that eating quinoa has become very common in recent years. What you may not know is that behind this change there are some interesting reasons you should know.
A diet low in gluten is considered beneficial to health. Also, one of the best foods for those with gluten intolerance is quinoa. Quinoa seeds can be consumed as a rice substitute in any of its colors (red, white and black).
If you want to make the most of this plant, you can also consume its leaves. In this case, you can use them in the same way as spinach, and to get them just sow a few seeds.
Quinoa composition
Quinoa is made up of complex carbohydrates. Every 100 grams of seeds gives you:
- 200 calories.
- 4 grams of fat.
- 39 grams of carbohydrates.
- 16 grams of protein.
- 15 grams of insoluble fiber.
All of this translates into a very satisfying food, but one that won’t make you gain weight. In addition, its texture is perfect to satisfy the craving for pasta or rice . In addition to what we said earlier, quinoa is rich in:
- Minerals (magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus)
- Vitamins (B and E complex)
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
1. Quinoa helps you lose weight
The first reason to eat quinoa is that it’s a cereal that provides fewer calories than your body needs to process it. This means that by consuming it, you will force your body to burn more calories than you get.
Also, some foods are known to speed up your metabolism, reducing your appetite. One of these foods is quinoa. This is due to its fiber content, which has been shown to act by increasing the feeling of satiety.
Another factor in quinoa that facilitates weight loss is its high protein content. This helps reduce food cravings and hunger, keeping you fuller.
To all of the above, you should also add the fact that your glycemic indexes remain stable thanks to your low calorie levels.
2. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the most important compounds if you want to maintain good health. That’s because they fight free radicals that accelerate aging, cause arthritis, Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Quinoa provides a lot of antioxidants. The part of the plant richest in these compounds is the sprouts, so if you have the opportunity, add some to your salads or dishes.
3. Quinoa is rich in fiber
Another reason to eat quinoa is that it is one of the most fiber-rich grains. We recommend that you regularly include it in your diet if you suffer from:
- Constipation
- Cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure or low blood pressure
- Hemorrhoids
High-fiber diets are also beneficial in maintaining control of glucose levels, according to a study published in PLoS Medicine .
So if your doctor has told you that you suffer from pre-diabetes or diabetes, we recommend eating quinoa instead of pasta and rice.
4. It’s perfect for those with gluten intolerance
We know that gluten intolerant people may feel that eating a varied diet is too complicated. However, you can eat quinoa regularly as it is just as beneficial as corn or potatoes.
In fact, in large stores you can find some quinoa-based noodle substitutes. They are as delicious and practical as the original noodles, but do not cause any health problems.
5. When eating quinoa, you get iron
We already know that iron is essential for the body. It helps to fulfill important functions such as creating hemoglobin or distributing oxygen in the blood.
Therefore, eating foods rich in this mineral is essential to maintain your daily routine, and one of the options is quinoa.
So that you don’t get tired of eating quinoa, remember that you can also consume the sprouts and leaves. You can add them to your salads as a complement.
6. Get the right amount of magnesium
This element also favors the absorption of enzymes and antioxidants . So if you’re trying to improve your diet, you should pay special attention to magnesium.
According to research published in Nutrients , magnesium is a mineral that helps to improve the quality of rest. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure an adequate intake of it.
A cup of cooked quinoa provides nearly a third of the amount of magnesium needed each day.
Low levels of magnesium can cause:
- Diabetes.
- Migraine.
- High pressure.
- Osteoporosis.
- Muscle spasms.
- Heart problems.
Eating quinoa regularly is a good idea
We are sure that if quinoa has not been a part of your life until now, you will have some reasons to try it and include it in your diet starting today. As we can see here, it is an easy food to cook and combine, so you will have no problems adapting and enjoying it.
Remember that although it is an excellent source of nutrients, you should always combine it with other healthy foods so that you can make the most of its benefits and appreciate the good results.