By Setareh Kiumarsi
Did you know that among people who are trying to eat healthy, quinoa is one of the most popular foods?! But why is that..?!
Quinoa is a seed that many people use as a substitute for heavy grains like bread or rice…
Its most important feature is that it’s gluten-free, which means it produces much less mucus (kapha) compared to gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, or couscous.
That makes quinoa an excellent food for people with excess kapha (phlegm) or kapha imbalance in Ayurvedic terms…
It’s also rich in protein and contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete and nourishing food.
How and When Should You Eat Quinoa?!
If quinoa isn’t cooked completely, it can cause bloating and gas… so never eat it raw or half-cooked!
Here’s the best way to cook quinoa:
1. Pour a little olive oil into a pot.
2. Add a mix of digestive spices — for example saffron, turmeric, fennel seeds, and coriander seeds… and let them warm for a minute.
3. Add the quinoa grains and lightly sauté them in the spiced oil for a few minutes.
4. Then pour in boiling water, just enough to cover the quinoa by about one finger’s width.
5. Cover the pot and let it simmer like steamed rice (kateh) until the grains become fluffy and tender.
Once cooked, the grains will puff up.. that’s when it’s ready to enjoy!
When to Eat Quinoa..?!
If you tend to have kapha imbalance or too much phlegm, it’s good to replace rice or bread with quinoa 2–3 times a week for lunch.
Quinoa is also great for dinner… because it’s light and easy to digest.
For example:
Add 2–3 tablespoons of cooked quinoa on top of a digestive salad, along with some pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or sunflower seeds…
Or make a light soup: about 70% vegetables (like carrot, parsley, leek, onion, and zucchini) and 30% protein and quinoa (for instance, chicken, quail, turkey, or lamb).
Why Quinoa Helps You Sleep Better?!
Instead of eating large amounts of rice or bread at night…which can make your digestive system heavy and even cause nightmares having a light meal with quinoa helps your body rest and promotes deep, peaceful sleep.
Please make sure to mention the author, “Setareh Kiumarsi,” if you share or republish this article, which was written with hope for everyone’s health and love.
