
Quinoa is a seed-producing plant, unique in that it is cultivated by farmers as a grain crop. Its seeds are gluten-free and are a popular alternative to whole grains and rice. It has a very low Glycemic Index (GI) and a high level of low-carbohydrate carbs – releasing energy equally over time, which helps control blood sugar levels.
The origin of Quinoa can be traced back some 5,000 years, when the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru grew this plant and considered it to be the staple food. Other neighboring countries such as Chile soon followed, treating quinoa with respect.
Finally, quinoa experienced a rebirth in the USA, which began to rise centuries after the 1970s. It has since been promoted as a so-called ‘good food’ with high nutrient content, leading to healthy eating and nutritionists embracing it as a key ingredient in a healthy diet.
Is Quinoa Healthy?
Quinoa has become a favorite in health food stores as it has a low GI level, is gluten-free, and can be enjoyed by both vegetarians and vegetarians.
“Essential amino acids are essential for muscle recovery. Although quinoa can be packed with protein it has the right value. ”
Although classified as seed-based foods and not whole-grain cereals, quinoa is still considered a whole grain. So, you still get the benefits of eating whole-grain cereals – such as cooking 2.8g of fiber per 100g cooked, compared to only 0.4g of white rice.
Lastly, due to the high protein content (4.4g per 100g cooked), quinoa is ideal if you are a vegetarian and want to increase the amount of non-vegetarian protein in your diet – make sure you still get the recommended diet of 0.75g Protein per kilogram.
How many calories are in quinoa?
Before adding quinoa to your diet, it is important to understand its nutritional value – including how many calories are present in quinoa, both cooked and uncooked.
If an athlete is looking to take 80-100g carbs after exercise, he or she will need to eat more quinoa. Good use of quinoa is like going with other foods throughout the day.
See the guidelines below to find quinoa calories values for various prices-
Cooked quinoa calories, 1 cup (185g)
- Calories – 222 kcal
- Power – 929 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 157 kcal
- Fat – 32.0 kcal
- Protein – 32.6 kcal
Uncooked quinoa calories, 1 cup (170g)
- Calories – 626 kcal
- Power – 2621 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 437 kcal
- Fat – 92.9 kcal
- Protein – 96.0 kcal
Servings quinoa calories 100g, cooked
- Calories – 120 kcal
- Power – 502 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 85.1 kcal
- Fat – 17.3 kcal
- Protein – 17.6 kcal
50g serving, cooked
- Calories – 60 kcal
- Power – 251 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 42.55 kcal
- Fat – 8.65 kcal
- Protein – 8.8 kcal
Quinoa Calories vs Rice
Quinoa and rice share many characteristics – nutritious food, taste, and texture. That’s why comparing the two is helpful when you consider quinoa as an alternative to rice-based diets.
Calories of cooked cereal rice, 1 cup (195g)
- Calories – 216 kcal
- Power – 904 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 185 kcal
- Fat – 14.7 kcal
- Protein – 17.2 kcal
Calories of raw cereal rice, 1 cup (185g)
- Calories – 685 kcal
- Power – 2868 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 589 kcal
- Fat – 45.2 kcal
- Protein – 50.1 kcal
Calories of 100g brown cereal rice, cooked
- Calories – 111 kcal
- Power – 465 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 94.7 kcal
- Fat – 7.5 kcal
- Protein – 8.8 kcal
Calories of 50g brown cereal rice, cooked
- Calories – 55.5 kcal
- Power – 232.5 kJ
- Carbohydrate – 47.35 kcal
- Fat – 3.75 kcal
- Protein – 4.4 kcal
Ways to Use Quinoa
Quinoa is such a flexible food that can be added to food as an additive or as a middle part of a dish. It’s both hot and cold – and fun at any time of the day.
More: 23 Unbelievable Quinoa Benefits for Your Stronger Health
FAQ
How many calories are in 1 cup of quinoa?
Let's compare one cup each of cooked quinoa and brown rice: Quinoa contains 222 calories.
Why is quinoa so high in calories?
For such a tiny seed, quinoa has a lot of protein: One cup cooked has 8 grams. Quinoa is one of the few plant sources of complete protein. This means it contains all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs. Even so, quinoa is higher in calories than other protein sources.