Quinoa - A Protein Resource

Quinoa is an excellent protein resource for Plant Powered People. It contains all of the essential amino acids - the nine amino acids your body cannot make and which it needs for constructing proteins to build and maintain your body. (There are 20 amino acids needed to make your proteins.)

The ancient people of South America cultivated quinoa for thousands of years as one of their staple crops. Today it is known as a “super food” for the same reason it was coveted by the indigenous people of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Equador - it is highly nutritious. One cup of cooked quinoa is loaded with protein, about 8 grams of protein. Quinoa is also a good source of fiber, with 5 grams in that one cooked cup. And it is gluten free.

Quinoa is a seed, just so you know, though it is referred to as a grain. I really like the lightness of this seed when it is cooked. It has a fluffy, delicate texture that is so enjoyable and such a pleasant compliment to anything with which you pair it, from salad ingredients to a stir fry.

Quinoa is cooked like rice, but ideally, in my opinion, in an Instant Pot pressure cooker. It cooks perfectly, and you don’t have to watch it. Also, pressure cooking actually increases quinoa’s nutritional value! Research shows it increases the antioxidant quality of quinoa.

Read the research from Food Chemistry here.

So, quinoa is a complete protein, has lots of fiber, is gluten free, and has antioxidant properties. That is a terrific set of positives for a little seed, and I encourage you to check it out as a protein source for your plant based nourishment.