Black Quinoa Nutrition Facts

Including quinoa is an easy way to ensure good health. Loaded with some of the healthiest nutrients, this pseudocereal is suited to be called a superfood. While cream-colored, sweet quinoa is the most popularly served variety, there are also red and black quinoa types. The black quinoa is difficult to find in groceries, owing to its difficulty in cultivation. It is unfortunate that black quinoa nutrition facts are not known to many people. Hence, this healthy grain receives lesser appreciation than what it truly deserves.

Black Quinoa: Calories and Nutrition Facts

Quinoa is not actually a grain or cereal, rather it is a plant that bears seeds (not grains). Taxonomically related to leafy vegetables, (spinach and beet), the foliage portion of black quinoa is edible and highly nutritious. In fact, the nutrition of quinoa leaf salad is unmatchable to other green salads. Just like the leafy portion, nutrition of black quinoa grain is highly impressive. It is an excellent substitute for rice. For your reference, black quinoa nutrition facts along with calorie count are explained below.

Black Quinoa Calories
Being a grain like seed, you can expect high carbohydrate content in black quinoa. The calorie count in ¼ cup of dry quinoa is found to be 160-180 calories. If you increase the serving amount to 1 cup (approximately 170 g), quinoa calories yielded are 637. To be more precise, cooked quinoa calories are also high. While adding quinoa salad or other dishes in the meal menu, you will need to adjust the serving quantity of other food items to balance the daily calorie intake.

Black Quinoa Nutrition
Similar to other quinoa varieties, black quinoa contains a high percentage of proteins. On an average, the protein content in this pseudocereal is 16-18 percent of the grain weight. It is not only the high percentage protein content that makes black quinoa a healthy food, but it is the type of protein present in this black colored seeds. Well, quinoa grain is an excellent source for complete protein.

You will be glad to know that black quinoa is the ideal source for nine essential amino acids, which are crucial for optimal health. There is hardly any food alternative that yields all these essential nutrients. Compare black quinoa nutrition facts with that of other grains, and you will come to know that the amount of lysine, methionine and cystine amino acids are much higher in quinoa seeds.

This grain like seed is a rich source of dietary fiber. Also, the best part in black quinoa nutrition is the presence of low sodium and negligible gluten. Hence, people who are diagnosed with gluten sensitivity medical problems have a healthy grain alternative, without the risk of allergic reactions. Containing minimum sodium and zero cholesterol, quinoa is also a perfect whole grain option for people who are prone to heart diseases.

In addition, black quinoa is a loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals. It features a host of vitamins, including riboflavin and other B vitamins, vitamin C and E. Quinoa is also included in the list of foods containing calcium in high amounts. Other essential minerals isolated from black quinoa grains are manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, copper, potassium and zinc.

In a nutshell, black quinoa nutrition is considered superior to the sweet and red quinoa types. However, there is no clear nutrition data that supports this claim. Whichever type of quinoa you are referring to, nutritional benefits of this peudograin are optimal. It helps in combating several medical conditions, like obesity, migraine, gallstone cardiovascular diseases, postmenopausal symptoms, inflammatory condition and childhood asthma amongst others.

As you now have a fair idea about black quinoa nutrition facts, do not hesitant to add this superfood as a part of your regular diet plan. As far as black quinoa preparation is concerned, you can follow the same method of rice cooking. The basic trick is to boil 1 cup black quinoa with 2 cups water. Once it reaches rolling boil temperature, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Well-cooked quinoa grains are soft, slightly nutty in taste and have a fluffy consistency.