Quinoa, Good Carbs Yes But ...

[Globetrotter 1,340]

So quinoa is this amazing superfood, one of if not the only grain that is a "complete" Protein. Apparently its praises can't be sung enough. However, a serving (1C) is like 500 calories and 90 something grams of carbs. WTF!!!!!! So, I am having a difficult time making myself believe that it is okay to have these carbs, that's a crazy carb amount for me! Without the quinoa at lunch today's carb count would have been more like 25, instead it is 100! I will be exercising for 2 1/2 hours this evening but holy hell that is a lot of carbs, I don't care if they are complex.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Yeah, you have to watch portion sizes with some of these "superfoods." Nut butters are the worst offenders of this group!

That said, I've been feasting on this quinoa salad lately: quinoa, shrimp, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado with some salt and lime juice. SO good! Since there's so much other stuff mixed in, I'm only consuming maybe 1/4-1/3 cup of quinoa.

[lsereno 2,525]

I cup cooked quinoa has 222 calories, according to Self Nutrition data, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2. It's a little higher than Pasta and rice. It is a complete Protein, but since I eat meat, I do not eat quinoa for a Protein source. It's too calorie dense for the amount of protein you get. I eat as a grain, instead of whole wheat bread or Pasta or brown rice. My max serving is generally 1/2 cup per meal and I'm more likely to eat about 1/3 cup.

Lynda

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I'm having it today in the form of a cold salad with feta, red onion, fresh herb vinaigrette, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and mint. I'd say I've had about 3/4 of a cup. I stay away from nut butters, they are too easy to od on.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Oh yum, I'll try adding feta next time I make this!

[Catracks 865]

I eat about 1/4 cup of quinoa as a grain with fish or meat. I saute onions and peppers with it too. It is calorie dense, but I don't eat much of it.

I'll NEVER give up my Peanut Butter either!