Superfood Quinoa For Weight Loss and Health Benefits of Quinoa Explained

Quinoa pronounced as ‘KEEN-WAH’ is a type of seed often misunderstood as whole grain. But it can be cooked as a whole grain and cooks faster and quicker than the whole grain.  Quinoa thrives in harsh, unpredictable climates such as that of the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile. It is a type of superfood that is high in fibre and high-quality protein. People often want to know the health benefits of quinoa. Is quinoa a superfood? How to cook quinoa? Is weight loss with quinoa possible? Looking for delicious quinoa recipes? So, here we are! All your queries related to quinoa will be answered as you read the article further. Quinoa’s health benefits are amazing and you will love us for sharing this. Here you go!

Nutrition Value of Quinoa (1 cup of quinoa)

• Protein: 8 gm.
• Fiber: 5 gm.
• Manganese: 58% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
• Phosphorus: 28% of the RDA
• Folate: 19% of the RDA
• Copper: 18% of the RDA
• Iron: 15% of the RDA
• Zinc: 13% of the RDA
• Potassium: 9% of the RDA
• Over 10% of the RDA for vitamins B1, B2, and B6
• Small amounts of calcium, B3 (niacin) and vitamin E

What Are Superfoods?

Superfoods–the rockstars of nutrition, are like the Superhero of your plate – bursting with extraordinary powers! Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they’re the powerhouse of wellness. From vibrant Berries to Quinoa, Grapes, Avocado, Chia Seeds and many more. These foods are the capes and masks your body craves. So, embrace these culinary superheroes and let them save the day, one delicious bite at a time.

Benefits of Superfoods

• Superfoods keep your body away from diseases. You will definitely be healthier once you start munching on superfoods every day.
• You must know that Superfoods contain antioxidants that help in preventing cancer while the fibre in them can help in preventing diabetes and digestive problems.
• Superfoods containing vitamins and antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can contribute to healthy and glowing skin.
• If you want to help yourself in weight management, a superfood like Quinoa is the best choice for you.
• Omega-3 fatty acids found in superfoods like salmon and chia seeds are associated with improved cognitive function and brain health.

In case you are looking for a balanced and quick way without adverse effects to lose weight faster. Check this article out How to lose weight fast? – Expert’s Guide

Is Quinoa a superfood?

Yes, quinoa is a superfood. Going by the above definition of superfoods, it is pretty much clear that quinoa falls under the category of superfoods. Quinoa doesn’t just offer a bunch of health perks but is also less in calories. Quinoa is a tiny grain that is cooked like rice and is easily available in nearby supermarkets and health stores. With a nutty flavour and a delightful texture that’s both fluffy and crunchy, quinoa turns every meal into a masterpiece. So, what else does one need on a plate? Taste and Nutrition. Quinoa provides you both by elevating both your plate and your well-being.

What Are The Health Benefits of Quinoa?

• Quinoa is a healthy diet food as well and has a lot of benefits. It provides 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.
•  Quinoa is gluten-free, cholesterol-free & non-GMO and is usually grown organically. It is perfect for people who are gluten intolerant. A gluten-free diet is healthy only if it is based on natural gluten-free food items.
• Another health benefit of quinoa is that it is rich in fibre. According to a health study that targeted four types of quinoa, for every 100 grams of quinoa, 10-20 grams of fibre were found.
• Quinoa is a superfood that has a lower glycemic index. The glycemic index measures how quickly blood sugar gets raised by different types of food items. Consuming food with a high glycemic index can lead to obesity.
• It is rich in iron which helps in keeping our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of haemoglobin formation.
• Quinoa contains magnesium which helps in reducing Type 2 diabetes. It also helps in the regulation of body temperature.
• It is rich in nutritional content and hence has beneficial effects on metabolic health.
• Quinoa helps you in reducing weight. It is very low in calories and high in nutritional value and hence it is a perfect food choice for those looking to lose weight.
• According to whfoods.org, quinoa contains anti-inflammatory nutrients which can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Looking for more ways to lose weight? why don’t you try out Detox drinks as well along with foods for weight loss? Here are some Best detox drinks for weight loss including Homemade Detox Drinks to detoxify yourselves

Quinoa VS rice carbs

White Rice or Quinoa: Which One is Healthier?

Quinoa has a low glycemic index while white rice has a high glycemic index. This is how the consumption of white rice can make your blood sugar level shoot up suddenly.

White rice is also a refined starch, making its nutritional level less. Quinoa has much fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice. If you are looking to lose weight, then choose quinoa over white rice.

It is also proven that a cup of Quinoa is a complete protein source, containing all essential amino acids and fiber than a cup of white rice. Quinoa makes you full early and hence you can stay fit and healthy. Both quinoa and white rice are gluten-free. You just have to choose the right quality of the grain.

While white rice can be part of a balanced diet, quinoa’s nutritional profile makes it a smarter choice for those looking to enhance their overall health and well-being. When it comes to health benefits, quinoa outshines white rice due to its higher nutrient content, protein completeness, fiber richness, and lower impact on blood sugar levels.

Brown Rice or Quinoa: Which One is Healthier? (Quinoa health benefits)

While brown rice is known to be healthier than white rice, when compared to quinoa, it has somewhat similar health benefits. Brown rice also has a low glycemic index like quinoa. Both of the grains have far greater health benefits than white rice. Quinoa has a slightly higher protein level and fewer carbohydrates than brown rice. Also, quinoa is a complete protein, unlike brown rice, which has fewer amino acids.

Is Weight Loss With Quinoa Possible? (Quinoa weight loss)

As quinoa is a superfood, losing weight with quinoa is possible. But Quinoa alone can’t gift you weight loss. Making a routine of exercising and consuming healthy food is also needed.

Quinoa makes the weight loss journey easier. Since quinoa is high in protein content, it helps in muscle building. Quinoa provides a perfect balance of nutrients but it alone is insufficient for weight loss. Diet and exercise should be included in your routine as well.

Quinoa is also rich in fiber which takes longer to digest and hence quinoa keeps you full for a long time. Fiber also facilitates healthier digestion. It is also gluten-free making it even perfect for your weight loss and overall health.

Can Quinoa Help You Lose Weight? Is Quinoa Good For Losing Weight?

Replace rice with quinoa and it will lead to weight loss. For quinoa weight loss, try salads with quinoa. There are a lot of quinoa weight loss recipes available online. Check them out and give a push to your weight loss journey.

• Quinoa Risotto with Mushroom
• Quinoa and Sesame Crackers with Orange Hummus
• Sweet Potato and Quinoa Bowls
• Coconut Lime Quinoa Salad
• Quinoa Pudding
• Quinoa Sushi Rolls
• Quinoa Khichdi
• Quinoa and Beetroot Tikki

Weight loss can be a lot easier if you work out along with some good food. Here are some Best Ramdev Baba Yoga Asanas For Weight Loss

OR

If you are a beginner and hasn’t been into working out Here are some Fitness Tips for beginners on How to Start Exercising and stick to it

Best Ways to Use Quinoa.

• Want to make your salads interesting and tasty? Add quinoa to it.
• What if we say you can replace the base of your porridge with quinoa? Well, that’s a great idea! Try it for yourself.
• Want to eat something tasty as well as healthy? Make burgers for breakfast with quinoa patties.
• While cooking your soup, stir quinoa into it. This will add protein to your dish.
• You can have stuffed capsicum with quinoa for lunch or supper.
• Experimenting with quinoa in desserts, such as quinoa pudding, quinoa energy bars, or quinoa cookies can be fun.
• You can also blend cooked quinoa with your favourite smoothie ingredients and use it as a base for a nourishing smoothie bowl and enjoy it without thinking about any weight gain.

These are just a few ideas to add quinoa to your meal. You can add quinoa to your diet in infinite ways. The only thing is to keep experimenting. Quinoa is a superfood that will not disappoint you and live up to the hype we promise.

You can also go for Rujuta Diwekar tips on How To Stay Fit and Healthy Naturally? – God of Small Thing

How to Cook Quinoa On the Stove?

1. Cooking quinoa is somewhat similar to cooking rice. If you are looking to cook quinoa on the stovetop, then we are here with the best method to cook quinoa.
2. Soak the quinoa grains in cold water for about two minutes to remove their outer shell. The next step is to rinse quinoa in a mesh strainer for about 30 seconds. After draining the quinoa grains, transfer them to a cooking pot.
3. Add two cups of water for every cup of quinoa grains and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pan for 15-20 minutes at a medium-high flame and wait till the water gets absorbed.
4. Turn off the flame and let the quinoa sit for some time about five minutes. It will make sure that the seeds are cooked properly. Separate the fluff of the quinoa before serving.

This is how to cook quinoa on the stove made simple and quick for you.

How to cook quinoa in a rice cooker?

The first step is spraying the rice cooker with some oil. You can use any oil. We prefer using coconut oil but the choice is yours.

• Rinse the quinoa for around 20 seconds under the tap.
• Add two cups of water for one cup of quinoa and add a pinch of salt.
• Quinoa is ready to cook.
• Use the button on your rice cooker to cook your quinoa. 

Quinoa Risotto with Mushroom

What you need

• 1 cup quinoa
• One tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 2-3 pieces of mushroom
• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• Salt and black pepper

Quinoa risotto with mushroom recipe

• Boil two cups of water and add one cup of quinoa. Heat it at medium flame for at least 15 minutes.
• In a large pan, saute onion in one tablespoon of olive oil, add garlic, and cook.
• Add mushroom and saute until cooked
• Sprinkle salt and black pepper according to taste
• Add one teaspoon of chopped parsley to the pan and after mixing, serve the quinoa weight loss recipe hot

Quinoa and sesame crackers with orange hummus

What you need

• 200-gram quinoa
• 1/2 litre water
• Half a teaspoon of baking powder
• 5-gram salt
• 50-gram rice flour
• 15-gram sesame seeds
• 2 fresh oranges
• 150-gram boiled chickpeas
• 20-gram tahini paste
• 2 pinch smoked paprika
• salt

Quinoa weight loss recipe: Quinoa and sesame crackers with orange hummus

• Boil quinoa at medium flame until a porridge-like consistency is achieved
• Allow it to cool, and add baking powder, salt, and rice flour
• With the help of a spatula, spread quinoa batter on the sil pat
• Add sesame seeds and bake it for 12 minutes in a preheated oven (350-degree Celsius)
• Allow it to cool
• Prepare the orange zest using the grater. Cut the orange into half and squeeze the juice from the orange
• Add boiled chickpeas, orange juice, tahini paste, and smoked paprika to a food processer and process until done
• Enjoy hummus with quinoa crackers 

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Bowls

What you need

• One cup of cooked sweet potato cubes
• One cup of shredded unsweetened coconut
• One finely chopped onion
• One cup of cooked quinoa
• one tablespoon raisins
• Half cup cashew nuts
• One teaspoon of pepper powder
• Half teaspoon cayenne
• One bay leaf
• salt

Quinoa weight loss recipe: Sweet Potato and quinoa bowls

• Heat the oil in the pan
• Fry onions and bay leaves together
• Add coconut, cooked sweet potato, and pepper
• Fry well
• Add cashew nuts and raisins
• Mix well and cook
• Add cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly
• Cook it on a medium flame for three minutes
• Serve hot

Coconut Lime Quinoa Salad

What you need

• One cup of uncooked quinoa
• Two cups water
• Half cup sliced red onion
• Three cups cucumber
• Half cup diced avocado
• Four segments orange
• Half cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
• One-fourth cup of chopped almonds
• Black pepper

For preparing the dressings

• One lemon
• Two tablespoons of orange juice
• Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• Two tablespoons of olive oil

Quinoa weight loss recipe: Coconut Lime quinoa salad

• Boil quinoa on a medium flame for 12-15 minutes until water is soaked
• Whisk all the dressing ingredients into a small bowl
• When quinoa cools down, add it to the bowl with the salad
• Add dressing to the salad according to taste

Quinoa, Couscous and Beetroot Tikki

What you need

• One and a half tablespoon of oil
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 couscous
• One potato
• 1 beetroot
• 3/4 spinach
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic paste

Quinoa weight loss recipe: Quinoa, Couscous, and Beetroot Tikki

• Mix well the mashed potato with all ingredients in a bowl except oil
• Take one-fourth cup of mixture and convert it into a round ball
• Flatten the bowl to make a Tikki and do the same with the rest of the mixture and keep them ready to bake
• Refrigerate the Tikki for 15 minutes
• Fry the Tikki in a pan till it becomes crispy
• Serve with green chutney

Well, if you try these at home, then click a picture and don’t forget to tag us! If you are looking for more such amazing recipes, take a look at Recipes at Godofsmallthing and you can also follow Gaurav Tomar aka foodparadise on Instagram for more such videos 😀