‘Diet’ has probably been one of the most trending words for the past few years. We see people everywhere discussing the diets they follow and how it benefits them. Contrary to the common belief that diets are only for weight loss, a diet is best described as a fixed plan of what, when and how much you eat and drink, in order to follow a particular lifestyle.

A diet is a lifestyle choice. While previously ‘vegetarian’ and ‘non-vegetarian’ were the only diet options, today the choices are endless. This is because the reasons for people opting for a particular diet are different and diverse. Weight, health, lifestyle and even individual principles are some of the aspect based on which people choose their diet.

The food you choose to eat is the most important part of following a healthy diet, therefore it is important to watch what you eat. Dieticians keep emphasizing on the different superfoods your body requires, the importance of following a high protein diet and more. Quinoa is one such superfood that is highly recommended by diet experts. This protein-packed seed, which came into reckoning recently, has now moved on to become one of the world’s most popular healthy foods. Known for being rich in proteins, Quinoa is also loaded with the goodness of fibre, magnesium, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, Vitamin E and other beneficial antioxidants.

Owing to its nutritional content, Quinoa is one superfood that fits well in all types of diet. Nutritionists at India Gate have broken down how this superfood can make a significant contribution to your existing diet.

Benefits of Quinoa to Your Diet

1. Paleo diet and Quinoa

Many people opt for Paleo because they want to invest in better nutrition and health. The Paleo diet adopts from the diet followed at prehistoric times when grains, sugars and artificial preservatives were not available. This diet allows you to consume food that is high in protein and fibre, low in carbohydrates and moderate to high in fat. Quinoa is gluten-free and protein-rich and therefore can be enjoyed by people following this diet.

2. Gluten-Free diets and Quinoa

A gluten-free diet is a diet which refrains inclusion of any food or its bi-products which has protein gluten. This diet is usually adopted by people with celiac disease or others who show signs of gluten insensitivity. A Gluten-free diet removes any foods that contain gluten, including wheat, rye, barley and semolina. Oats are allowed if they are labelled as gluten-free. Quinoa rose to become one of the most sought-after superfoods due to the non-existence of the protein gluten with a better composition of protein compared to other foods, additionally, it provides much better minerals and vitamins value.

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3. Vegan diet styles and quinoa

The prime purpose of the people who advocate vegan diets is to protect animals, by avoiding the use of animals for meat and animal by-products such as milk. Although following a Vegan diet is healthy, many times it deprives the body of important nutrients such as proteins, calcium, iron which are essential for a balanced diet. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegans are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure than meat-eaters are. Consuming larger volumes of fruits and vegetables, vegans receive greater amounts of the antioxidants and phytochemicals associated with good cardiovascular health and reduced risk for cancers.

That said, quinoa might, therefore, be a boon for all Vegans, as it is the only vegan ingredient which has the best quality chain of amino acids and proteins equal to that in meat. Moreover, due to high antioxidant values, minerals and vitamins in quinoa, these seeds are considered a saviour in the vegan population.

So, how much do you love quinoa? And would you add it to your diet? Feel free to share in the comments below.