Incorporate Quinoa into your diet today!

As a mum, an accredited personal trainer, group fitness instructor and body building prep coach, I am all about developing and maintaining a holistic approach to nutrition and training. I am therefore, very fussy when it comes to what I put into mine and my family’s body.

As a society, we tend to be very time poor and with so many quick, cheap and easy options available to us, it is easy to fall into the ‘unhealthy trap’ of picking something up through a drive through or filling our trolleys with packaged foods.

However, healthy eating can be just as easy and the benefits clearly outweigh any other alternative.  The more informed we are on the benefits of certain foods and ways to incorporate them into our diets, the more inclined we will be to begin/maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One of my favourite pantry staples and a definite go to as a filling, delicious and healthy food option is quinoa.

Did you know that quinoa grain is a close relative to kale, spinach and swiss chard? Quinoa is high in minerals, vitamins and protein which helps you feel satisfied for longer. This explains why so many people are substituting this grain into their diet.

The benefits of quinoa are endless and can facilitate your weight loss goals and your general health.

Substituting quinoa into meals that contain pasta or rice is a great alternative approach. This grain is low in calories; one serving of cooked quinoa contains approximately 172 calories, which means even if you were to consume 2 or 3 servings of quinoa, you will still benefit in having fewer calories compared to eating a plate of pasta.

Salads, soups, stir fry’s, cereals and even desserts are just some of the ways you can incorporate this grain into your dishes and ensure your obtaining all the health benefits too.

A crowd pleaser in my family is definitely this quick and delicious, Chicken and Quinoa Salad:

2 cups of Chicken breast pan fried in barbeque sauce, sea salt and paprika

1 cup of quinoa

Fresh Rocket

1 large red capsicum

2 peeled and grated carrots

1/2 cup of roasted pine nuts

A touch of balsamic dressing before serving!

So, next time you’re at your local shopping centre or health food store, grab the grain off the shelf and give it a go!!