Despite its grain-like qualities, quinoa is actually a seed from a plant known as goosefoot, which is in the same family as spinach and beets. It makes a truly delicious and nutritious superfood substitute for rice and works well in so many recipes.
Quinoa offers 8 grams of protein per cooked 8-ounce cup. It is high in fiber, with 5 grams of fiber per cup and it is a source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc.
White rice, on the other hand, is higher in calories and carbs than quinoa. It is highly processed and missing its hull (the hard protective coating), bran (outer layer) and germ (nutrient-rich core) to improve taste, extend shelf life and enhance cooking properties. For this reason, white rice lacks many vitamins and minerals than quinoa and quinoa will give us an extra boost of fiber, protein and minerals like iron and zinc.
And so if we replace white rice with quinoa for our daily meals and start with such small change, we can make better choices and create healthy habits every day that bring us closer to our nutritional and wellness goals.
