Quinoa

• Quinoa is a quick-cooking, gluten-free whole grain

• It technically isn’t a cereal grain, but a pseudo-cereal, in other words, it is basically a “seed” which is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain.

• Quinoa is considered a superfood.

• Quinoa grows in a rainbow of colors, but the most commonly available are red quinoa, black quinoa and white quinoa.

• With a mild, nutty flavor and a texture similar to rice or couscous, quinoa is one of the only grains or seeds that provides all nine essential amino acids our bodies can't produce themselves .

• It's filled with protein, eight grams per one-cup serving, to be exact!

• It contains large amounts of flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol. These are potent plant antioxidants with numerous health benefits.

• Quinoa also offers a good dose of fiber and iron.

• There are 111 calories in each 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa.

• Quinoa is non-GMO, gluten-free and usually grown organically.