Why Not Have Quinoa for Breakfast?

Although quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wa) is often referred to as a grain, it’s technically a fruit. It’s also a complete protein that is high in lysine, methionine and cystine. This is why it has been called nature’s perfect food.

Quinoa is often used as a lighter alternative to starchy side dishes such as rice and pasta, but it also makes an excellent alternative to breakfast cereals and oatmeal, especially if you don’t eat grains, wheat and spelt, which can irritate the intestines.

You can buy quinoa in bulk or prepackaged boxes, but for an easy to prepare breakfast, try Quinoa Flakes, 100 percent organic quinoa steam-rolled into a quick cooking quinoa flake. (You can also use the flakes for pancakes or waffles, coating for cooking fish or chicken, and baking muffins.)

Here are some great quinoa breakfast recipes:

Quinoa and Egg Breakfast
Prepare one serving (1/3 cup) of Quinoa Flakes. Add a pinch of salt to taste and top with one or two poached eggs or mix in chopped turkey sausage. (It’s a good idea to rotate eggs with other sources of protein to avoid developing allergies).

Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
Combine ¼ cup of quinoa, ½ cup of water, 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter and some cinnamon in an uncovered pot. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes and serve.

Laded with complex carbs, quinoa makes a great post-workout food if you’re having breakfast following an exercise session.

Post-Workout Quinoa Breakfast
Prepare one serving (1/3 cup) of Quinoa Flakes with 1 cup of milk and 1 scoop of whey protein isolate (vanilla flavored). Top with blueberries, strawberries or cherries.

Besides its unique protein, quinoa is also high in essential linoleic acid, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Why does this matter to you? On top of all its health benefits, quinoa is suitable for folks with special dietary needs, such as lactose-intolerance, vegan diets, gluten-intolerance, diabetes, and low sodium diets. If you don’t eat grains, it’s a great alternative oatmeal.