Quinoa has become a celebrity favorite food, often seen on the menus of health-conscious restaurants and endorsed by nutritionists. Celebrities like Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana, and Katy Perry have publicly expressed their love for this nutritious food. The market size for quinoa reached a staggering $382 million last year and is expected to continue growing.

Dr. Uma Naidoo, director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, describes quinoa as delicious, nutritious, and versatile. It has gained popularity as a high-protein, gluten-free, whole-grain base for many dishes.

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa is an edible seed available in various colors such as black, red, yellow, and white. It has been cultivated for over 5,000 years and is indigenous to the Andean region of South America. Quinoa is known for being a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including folate, manganese, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, and magnesium.

Although quinoa is often touted as a high-protein food, it only contains 8 grams of protein per cup, which is not considered a high-quality source of protein by clinical nutritionist Abby Langer. Despite this, quinoa offers additional benefits such as versatility and quick preparation time, taking only about 15 minutes to cook.

Is Quinoa a Rice or a Grain?

Quinoa is technically a seed but is classified as a whole grain due to its nutrient profile. Unlike some whole grains, quinoa is gluten-free and has a lower impact on blood sugar, making it a better option for glucose management than refined grains like white rice.

Quinoa’s versatility allows it to be used as the base for nourish bowls, porridge, side dishes, or as an ingredient in various recipes. Its growing popularity and nutritional benefits make it a sought-after food for health-conscious individuals and celebrities alike.