Trying to Get in Shape? Try Quinoa!

If you are trying to get in shape, you may be a bit confused about nutrition.  That is no surprise!  There is so much conflicting information out there – should you go low-carb or low-fat?  Do you need to count calories or is eating clean enough?

If you are serious about your health, it is important to remember that eating a balanced diet of whole foods is critical.  Any diet that calls for eliminating entire food groups is not good for long term health.  While you may be able to drop a few pounds quickly by eliminating carbohydrates, this isn’t sustainable in the long run, nor is it healthy.  The only thing it makes sense to eliminate is white carbohydrates – they can cause spikes in your blood sugar and are generally not good for you.

Even the most serious of fitness enthusiasts need carbohydrates in their diets to fuel their work outs.  That’s why so many athletes are cooking quinoa now.  Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is quite simply one of the best sources of carbohydrates you can hope to find.  One cup of cooked quinoa will provide you with 220 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein.  It also is a great source of folate, zinc, iron and magnesium.

This tiny seed is generally treated like a grain in cooking.  So, you can use it in any dish that calls for grains like rice or oatmeal.  There are many great quinoa recipes that you can find on the internet. Another alternative is to look in magazines like Clean Eating, Cooking Light and Eating Well. These magazines all focus on healthy eating and provide a new quinoa recipe just about every month.

Why not try adding quinoa to your healthy diet?  You can buy quinoa online or at your local health food store! It taste great and is good for you!


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