Recipe: Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad (2024)

FAQs

Is quinoa salad good for cholesterol? ›

Quinoa is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which plays a significant role in managing cholesterol levels. Foods high in fiber, like quinoa, bind to bad cholesterol in your small intestine and reduce its absorption into the bloodstream.

Unlike most plant-based foods, quinoa is a complete protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins that make up your muscles, bones, skin, and blood.

As a stuffing for chiles rellenos, quinoa imparts a pleasant, nutty flavor that allows the taste of more highly spiced foods such as chorizo come through, and can also be used in a vegetarian version with beans and cheese. An offering of quinoa tortitas, topped with cheese and salsa, is another vegetarian option.

Serving suggestions: I love to stir a drizzle of olive oil and clove of garlic into warm quinoa for extra flavor. Other options include chopped fresh spinach or arugula, or massaged kale. Fresh herbs and/or dried spices are nice, as well as grated or crumbled cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pitted and sliced olives, etc.

A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

With its mild nutty flavor, this edible seed packs a powerful nutrition punch, containing anywhere from 17-27 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per cup cooked. Quinoa is also considered to be a whole grain, gluten free and contains anti-inflammatory properties.

People susceptible to heart attack, cardiovascular disease and stroke can benefit from eating more quinoa to help manage their cholesterol levels. The fiber content found in quinoa may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, quinoa's ample omega-3 fatty acids may have a significant positive impact.

Allergy to other foods used as grains: Quinoa may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to foods used as grains, such as buckwheat, wheat, and rice. If you have allergies to grains, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using quinoa.

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of quinoa consumption in 2018 were Bolivia (40K tonnes), Peru (34K tonnes) and the U.S. (29K tonnes), with a combined 71% share of global consumption.

What ethnicity eats quinoa? ›

Quinoa Is An Ancient Food

It's been at the forefront in these regions for 5,000 years. It was a staple for the Incas and is still a prominent food source for their indigenous descendants, the Quechua and Aymara people. It was a sacred crop to the Incas who called it the mother of all grains or chisaya mama.

Quinoa has been cultivated in the United States, primarily in the high elevation San Luis Valley of Colorado where it was introduced in 1983. In this high-altitude desert valley, maximum summer temperatures rarely exceed 30 °C (86 °F) and night temperatures are about 7 °C (45 °F).

What can I add to quinoa after it's cooked? In addition to more of the spices, salt and pepper, or squeeze of citrus, fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint work beautifully with this spiced quinoa.

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

Add a handful of berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes or mangos to your salad. Squeeze in the juice of a lemon, lime, or other favorite fruit. Add flavorful vegetables to your salad, such as chopped scallions, garlic, or onions.

Unlike rice, quinoa fibers help to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. Unlike rice, quinoa reduces your blood fat levels after a meal called triglycerides. Quinoa has a higher amount of all essential amino acids.

Quinoa is a good choice for people who have high blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). One study found that eating 50 grams (1.7 oz) daily for 6 weeks lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol ( 14 ).

Pick the Best Carbs

Beans and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat have more fiber and don't spike your blood sugar. They will lower cholesterol and make you feel full longer.