4 Healthy Quinoa Recipes for Weight Loss and Keto Diets

Quinoa is a superfood from South America like chia seeds.

It’s one of the rare few plant sources that’s a complete protein. A complete protein is a food source of protein that has the 9 essential amino acids that our body cannot produce naturally. 

Some examples include:

• Fish
• Eggs
• Poultry e.g. chickens
• Beef
• Pork 
• Dairy e.g. milk, yogurt and cheese

This makes it a great choice for people trying to reduce meat consumption, like vegans and vegetarians. 

This superfood, though often referred to as a grain, is actually a seed of the goosefood plant, a vegetable related to Swiss chard, spinach and beet.

Quinoa vs Rice: Quinoa Is Better for You Than Rice

Why is quinoa a healthier alternative to the rice we eat?

Let’s take brown rice and compare it to quinoa.

Brown rice is a cereal grain that only has the husk removed during processing, which retains its fibre and germ that have key nutrients.

Here’s the nutritional difference:

	Quinoa	Brown Rice
Protein	8g per cup	4-5g per cup
Amino Acids	Contains all 9 amino acids	Only a few amino acids
Carbohydrates	39g per cup	45g per cup

Quinoa vs Adlai: Which Is Better?

Adlai is a type of grain that is native to Southeast Asia. 

This low-carbohydrate and high-calorie grain is similar to rice, whether in preparation or use. It is fast becoming a healthier substitute to classic dishes like rice and pasta. Adlai has a high amount of complex carbohydrates with a low GI like quinoa and is rich in protein and dietary fibre, making it great for digestion.

Considering the similarities of quinoa and adlai, it may be more subjective to determine which one is better than the other. For example, some people may prefer the taste and texture of quinoa over adlai and vice versa.

What Is the Best Way to Eat Quinoa?

A popular way of using quinoa in meals is treating it like a grain, like rice or barley. It’s also a versatile side dish to complement a meal, whether you want it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For example, you can serve it as a breakfast porridge to replace your oats or cereal, or cook it with proteins like chicken or shrimp. We’ll introduce a few quinoa recipes for you to explore below!

Is It OK to Eat Quinoa Everyday?

It is good for you to eat quinoa on a daily basis.

A study by the Harvard School of Health revealed that having a bowl of quinoa on a regular basis can lower your chances of premature death from chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes by up to 17%. One serving of quinoa also meets a key part of daily recommendations for important nutrients and compounds that can boost your health.

Is Quinoa Good for Weight Loss?

As a complete protein and fibrous food source with plenty of antioxidants and minerals, quinoa is a good ingredient idea for those who want to lose weight. Plus, the low GI as mentioned above aids in managing your weight by improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 

You can use the quinoa recipes we have to implement the food into your weight loss plan easily.

How Long Can Quinoa Last in the Fridge?

If you want to use quinoa for your meals, one important question you may have is how long it can be used if stored in the fridge.

This may apply to those who prep their meals for the week in advance. After cooking and packing it in an airtight container properly, quinoa can last for up to 7 days in the fridge without going bad.

Healthy Quinoa Recipes

Quinoa is a great “vegetable seed” to serve as an alternative to rice! Instead of heavy rice, noodles or bread for your dinner, lunch or breakfast, choose something light and healthy.

Get your quinoa recipes here for a simple and hearty meal for weight loss, or for a healthy lifestyle! We’ve prepared a long list of quinoa recipes suitable for you and your loved ones, including your children.

Quinoa Breakfast With Blueberries and Almonds Recipe

Ingredients:

• Quinoa
• Blueberries
• Almonds (Feel free to substitute other fruits or nuts)
• Milk (Whether low-fat, full-cream, goat’s or cow’s or plant-based milk such as almond milk, it’s up to you!)
• Maple syrup or honey

Directions:

1. Boil quinoa for 10 – 15 minutes
2. Scoop it out in a bowl and add milk
3. Add maple syrup or honey if you wish
4. Crush blueberries into a fruity paste
5. Pour the blueberries on the quinoa
6. Add chopped almonds
7. You can choose to cook the quinoa with blueberries again for the taste of the berries to mix well
8. Or you can just eat it on its own
9. Enjoy your hearty meal!

Quinoa with Ham, Eggs and Spinach Recipe

Ingredients:

• Quinoa
• Spinach
• Egg
• Ham

Directions:

1. Boil quinoa for 10 – 15 minutes
2. Serve in a bowl
3. Cut, wash and boil some spinach
4. Pan fry scrambled eggs
5. Cut and dice some ham
6. Add spinach, eggs and ham to your quinoa bowl
7. Drizzle some salad dressing if you prefer
8. Enjoy your hearty meal!

Quinoa and Chia Seeds Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

• Quinoa
• Chia Seeds
• Peanut butter
• Banana
• Almonds (Feel free to substitute other fruits or nuts)
• Milk (Whether low-fat, full-cream, goat’s or cow’s or plant-based milk such as almond milk, it’s up to you!)
• Maple syrup or honey

Directions:

1. Boil quinoa for 10 – 15 minutes
2. Scoop it out in a bowl to cool
3. Add milk
4. Add maple syrup or honey for a tinge of sweetness
5. Sprinkle chia seeds and stir them well
6. Refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours
7. Smear peanut butter on your pudding
8. Add banana slices, and sprinkle sliced or crushed almonds on top
9. Enjoy your cold dessert!

A Simple, Quick and Easy Quinoa Recipe

For those who just want a no-frills, quick and easy way to cook quinoa for your meal:

1. Rinse quinoa
2. Combine 1 part quinoa with 2 part water in a pot
3. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat
4. Simmer mixture until the quinoa absorbs all the water

Once cooked, it’s ready to eat on its own or use in your favourite quinoa recipes. You can achieve the desired cooked quinoa texture by adjusting the amount of water to mix before boiling.

Quinoa Recipe for Your Baby, Toddler or Kids 

Cooked quinoa is perfect as a salad ingredient and an excellent substitute for rice. 

Get creative and use quinoa recipes such as Fried Quinoa, Hainanese Chicken Quinoa, Quinoa Lemak, and quinoa bowls! 

Get started with a packet of affordable white quinoa seeds from HoneyCity!