Be aware when buying quinoa that there are three variations white, red and black quinoa.  All of the Quinoa types have the same strong nutrient values.  Much like bell peppers that come in three variations red, green and yellow, quinoa is very similar.  The picture above is some organic red quinoa I picked up in the bulk section of my local Whole Foods market.  Be aware of the color variations as your store may only have one color in the bulk section and all of them are delicious and nutritious.

If you missed the recent article on Quinoa previously mentioned I will recap what it is below to better familiarize you with this incredible grain.

What is Quinoa:

Quinoa is an ancient grain that has a great texture and flavor.  Quinoa is highly nutritious, and much higher in protein than any other grain.  Quinoa has eight essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.  Quinoa is naturally low in sodium, has no sugar, and is naturally gluten free.  The grains are tiny and round and expand after cooking making it a better choice over rice, couscous or other heavier grains available.  Quinoa goes great in salads, wraps, in soups, as a base to stir-fry’s, as well as a side dish.  Be sure to look at your bulk section in your local health food store for this incredibly tasty and delicious little grain.  If your store does not have Quinoa in its bulk section, look for the store brand as they are more affordable and have all the same ingredients.  Whole Foods has its 365 store brand, which is the White Organic Quinoa and you can find the 1 lb bag for $3-4 which covers 10-11 servings.

Nutritional Value:

Serving Size:  1/4 Cup
Calories: 160
Fat: 2.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 10 mg
Carbs: 29 g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 0
Protein: 6g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 20%