Weight loss requires constant efforts, both in terms of following a healthy diet and maintaining a strict workout regime. If you are someone who loves to gorge on parathas, dosas or poha, it won't be easy for you to switch to salads and cereals all of a sudden. What you can do instead is tweak your traditional meals a bit to incorporate superfoods and retain similar taste and feel of the meal. One of the nutritious and popular foods is quinoa, which has entered the periphery of healthy foods with a bang and caught the fancy of health conscious people. Originating from South America, the wonder grain has climbed the popularity chart swiftly and is now being hailed as one of the most nutritious foods available. Quinoa is a type of grain that is being considered as one of the healthiest food in today's times.
What Is Quinoa?
Quinoa is low in calories and high in good quality proteins, which works well for any weight loss diet plan. It also contains various other helpful nutrients that improve overall bodily health. According to the book 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, the easily digestible quinoa is a complete source of protein and a good source of anti-inflammatory, mono- unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids. It is anti-inflammatory and also a powerful antioxidant.
(Also Read: 6 Impressive Health Benefits Of Quinoa)
Quinoa is low in calories and high in good quality proteins
Benefits of Quinoa
1. Rich in antioxidant plant compounds like quercetin and kaempferol.
2. Rich in fibre, which keeps you full for longer and regulates blood sugar.
3. Contains no gluten or fats.
4. Very high in protein and contains all important amino acids.
Also Read: 11 Best Healthy Breakfast Recipes | Popular Breakfast Recipes
With all these and more nutritional benefits, it's difficult to resist adding quinoa to your diet. But how do you really do it without having to change your palate? You can include quinoa in your morning diet by making quinoa poha. Yes, your regular poha gets a makeover by replacing high-carb rice flakes with low-carb, high-protein quinoa.
Quinoa Poha Recipe -
Ingredients -
1 cup quinoa
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 carrot, grated
2 boiled potatoes, cubed
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 tablespoon roasted peanuts
2 cups water
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
Juice of 1 lemon
2-3 green chillies
Half cup curry leaves
Half cup ghee or clarified butter
A handful of coriander leaves
Salt to taste
A pinch of turmeric
Method To Make Quinoa Poha -
Step 1 - Wash quinoa and soak it in water for 15 minutes.
Step 1- Heat ghee in a pan and add mustard seeds. Wait till they start to splutter.
Step 2 - Add cumin seeds, green chillies and curry leaves and wait till the seeds start to change their colour.
Step 3 - Add onions and ginger-garlic paste and saute them till the onions turn brown.
Step 4 - Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric and carrots and cook them till they wilt.
Step 5 - Add boiled potatoes and mix all the ingredients well.
Step 6 - After 5 minutes, add quinoa and water and let it cook for 10 minutes.
Step 7 - Once the poha is cooked, sprinkle coriander leaves, peanuts and lime juice. Mix well and serve.
(Also Read: Bread Poha Recipe)
This renewed poha will be surprisingly delicious and will fill you with so much energy that you would want to have it every day. Enjoy your healthful breakfast with this high-protein, healthy quinoa poha.