With the widespread dissemination of health knowledge, you may also know that refined grains like rice are not very conducive to weight loss. Quinoa is an annual herbaceous plant from South America, belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. From a biological perspective, it is not considered a cereal because most cereals belong to the Poaceae family.
Fresh quinoa has a calorie content of 368 kcal/100g, even higher than rice (330 kcal/100g). However, after cooking, the nutritional value of quinoa starts to show. Cooked quinoa has a moisture content of 72%, protein content of 4%, with carbohydrates and fats accounting for only 21% and 4% respectively. The levels of iron and zinc are also quite significant, with a calorie content of approximately 120 kcal/100g. In simple terms, when comparing the same amount of rice and quinoa, quinoa has lower calories, more trace elements, richer fiber, and double the amount of protein.
Inspired by my ingenuity with purple sweet potato yogurt, I poured a cup of yogurt over cooked quinoa, then added a chopped kiwi for a delicious combination! Since quinoa itself has no taste, it can be made into sweet or savory dishes, and can also be used when making fried rice.
