A key part of Quinoa nutrition is that of Quinoa protein.

With a large part of Quinoa nutrition being that of Quinoa protein, Quinoa nutritional properties show high levels of proteins, including virtually all the essential amino acids, as noted at Wikipedia and NutritionData and others. For example, a one cup serving of cooked Quinoa normally yields about 8.1g of protein or about 12%–18% the DV of proteins/amino acids.

This protein level surpasses many other foods, leading food authorities to consider Quinoa food a highly beneficial food that can be used at the core of a healthy diet. In fact, Greg Schlick and David L. Bubenheim in a NASA paper referenced at Wikipedia noted that unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), Quinoa protein is a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. But, Quinoa nutritional value doesn’t stop there. Quinoa food has much more to offer.

Other Quinoa Nutritional Data and Benefits

Quinoa food, depending how and what it is prepared with, is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. Quinoa food is also a good source of dietary fiber and in addition, is a good source of Iron, Magnesium, and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Manganese.

At around 222 calories,  a one cup serving of Quinoa by itself yields around 11% of the DV in a 2000 calorie diet. Most (nearly 160) of those calories are from carbohydrates, with Quinoa food being low in fats content, at less than 5% to 6% of the DV.

Vitamins are another important item in Quinoa nutrition, offering around 10% to 19% of the DV of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, and Vitamin B6,  as well as some Vitamin E and Niacine using data from NutritionData. The Wikipedia numbers are higher, but reflect a larger portion of uncooked Quinoa. Bottom line is that at smaller serving sizes, Quinoa nutrition values are high. With larger servings, you can eat till you’re full with much less worry about fat gluten, and sugars, and be assured of lots of burnable carbs and Quinoa protein.

Quinoa food is also gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, Quinoa food is being considered a possible crop in NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights, according to Greg Schlick and David L. Bubenheim cited above. A great breakdown is also available at NutritionData at the link following this article. The page there is a quite complete Quinoa nutrition breakdown.

Quinoa Food Use

Quinoa nutrition has a history dating back to the Inca Civilization, and during that time it’s production and consumption was exceeded only by the potato. Quinoa food use has cycled slightly through the years since, anf is currently seeing renewed interest. This especially when we as a culture are seeking more complete fitness, and will likely be fueled further by our move away from sugar in our diets during the years 2010 through 2015. One need only look at the news to validate this position.

Quinoa food is surging in the West, with Quinoa nutrition as the momentum. Quinoa nutritional values, and especially Quinoa protein are a developing trend to watch as we rediscover this powerful food.