Quinoa ?

skedaddle

Barefooters
Sep 3, 2011
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Is quinoa good for post workout nutrition?
I've been reading that team sky use it a lot, but was just wondering if it was one of those so called 'super food' fads.

Thanks.
 
Most straight stories and nutrition facts on foods are online. From my experience the sources seem pretty dependable. Look it up.


Thanks Sl, i'd already read much about quinoa but was looking for more practical experiences with it from a runners perspective, maybe some on this forum could have helped out in that regard.
I found this article which was encouraging as i'm always a little suspicious of super food claims. http://blog.marathonmatt.com/2009/08/quinoathe-super-grain.html.
I'm looking for a plant based staple that isn't going to spike my blood sugar and also provide a complete protein source. Quinoa seems to tick the boxes, i'll give it a spin for a few weeks and post my results.:)
 
I really really like chia seeds. They are a super food worthy of the title. I also like fish oil. The blend of the two gives a great balance of the two best omega 3fatty acids. The chia seeds also achieve what you want with the blood sugar stabilization and protein, and more! Otherwise I try to get my foods from sources close to home. If you like the quinoa my wife makes amazing quinoa burgers. I could get the recipe from her.
 
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I really really like chia seeds. They are a super food worthy of the title. I also like fish oil. The blend of the two gives a great balance of the two best omega 3fatty acids. The chia seeds also achieve what you want with the blood sugar stabilization and protein, and more! Otherwise I try to get my foods from sources close to home. If you like the quinoa my wife makes amazing quinoa burgers. I could get the recipe from her.


Thanks Sl, i've got the fish oil and fatty acids covered, though it seems to have little impact on my brain function ;)
I've always been curious about chia seeds, but really don't see them as an everyday staple like rice or quinoa, i may be wrong but that's the impression i got.
I too try to source food responsibly and close to home, i know there's been a big backlash against quinoa and western consumption pushing the prices high for indigenous peoples, but i've found a fair trade source so i think that's o.k. :)
The burgers sound yummy, if i like the stuff i'll come a knocking for the recipe. :hungry:
 
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I do eat quinoa regularly but I don't find anything special about it, its just another grain like rice or oatmeal. I personally find legumes to be better when looking for proteins. The two together are tasty.
I have been wanting to makes some quinoa, black bean, sweet potato burrito's to use on my long runs but I keep forgetting to make them in advance.

I'd be curious to hear if anyone really notices physical difference with the additions of things like chia, quinoa, flax etc... to their diet? Other than digestive issues I personally find most of its a placebo.
 
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I'd be curious to hear if anyone really notices physical difference with the additions of things like chia, quinoa, flax etc... to their diet? Other than digestive issues I personally find most of its a placebo.

The benefits of foods and our self interpretation of those benefits is an interesting and hard topic to deal with. Here are some of my thoughts. Some foods have substances that truly make you feel better. Chocolate and caffeine, for example. Those effects are mostly short lived because your system gets used to them. Most health foods have substances that help your body in ways you won't feel. These are foods that help fight cancer, build stronger bones, improve cardiovascular health and so on. Over time, you may physically perceive a slight improvement in how you feel. Maybe in the form of less fatigue or feeling more awake 1st thing in the morning. When I first started taking chia I thought I felt a noticeable change in my energy (for the better). Now I don't perceive that enhancement. Was it placebo, or did my system get acclimated to the better way of feeling so now that is the new norm? I don't think there is any magic food or combination of foods that make you feel elated all of the time. The closest way to get to perpetual elation, I think, is by eating right, exercising correctly and devoting lots of time to understanding the self and your relationship with the natural world we live in. I guess meditation would be the term for that last one.
 
I do eat quinoa regularly but I don't find anything special about it, its just another grain like rice or oatmeal. I personally find legumes to be better when looking for proteins. The two together are tasty.
I have been wanting to makes some quinoa, black bean, sweet potato burrito's to use on my long runs but I keep forgetting to make them in advance.

I'd be curious to hear if anyone really notices physical difference with the additions of things like chia, quinoa, flax etc... to their diet? Other than digestive issues I personally find most of its a placebo.


I think quinoa a seed not a grain Abide.
What caught my attention was team sky using it, plus it's also a plant based complete protein.
http://www.brevet.cc/cycling-nutrition-tips-dinner-cyclists/

This is my first attempt to cook with it, a quinoa vegetable biryani skedaddle style. I added half a scotch bonnet so those melons you see in the background of the picture are now history as i tried to extinguish the fire in my mouth :eek:

quinoa_meal-1.jpg
 
I think its a pseudograin and shares most of the properties as most grains.

That looks delicious, is there okra in there?

Sorry I wasn't meaning to knock it, I think its a great food and one I like to eat often. They grow it in Spain too so it's reasonably close for us here and I think it mitigates some of the social issues in SA from its popularity. For the complete proteins I mainly meant it's better to make sure your variety is good so if you focus too much on just eating quinoa it might not be the best idea. Or oatmeal or lentils... etc... especially for you if you are limiting a majority of your diet to plants.

SI I do agree with that. Its one of the reasons I like to incorporate doing yoga as much as I can, there has been a clear benefit when you look at it in the long term. Also with food and excercise, now for the perpetual elation... that might be a little too far down the path for me, but I do like hearing about it.
 
I understood what you meant Abide, quinoa is just another food source, a good one, but the superfood claims can often be misleading. A varied diet is important.
No okra, it's hard to find in the U.K. just green beans, carrots, zucchini, pak choi, wild rocket and almonds. Plus half a scotch bonnet, soon to be replaced by a wimpy jalapeño, the bonnet was just to0 fiery to wear.:eek:
On the plus side after i'd had the meal i didn't feel hungry again all night, which i assume meant my blood sugar didn't spike.

Sl, i'm also an advocate of the holistic approach to life, we are explorers from the moment we're conceived, of ourselves, each other and the world that surrounds us. 'Nothing is internal' (Athenes theory of everything) :)
 
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I'm no expert on nutrition. I like this website for general information.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2

This website has more detailed information. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142

I personally like quinoa, but don't eat very much of it, as I generally don't have lots of carbs that aren't fruits or vegetables.

I like quinoa because it does have more protein, compared to other carbs such as starches and grains. (However, I have plenty of protein sources in my diet.)

Quinoa might have phytonutrients, but so does brown rice. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=128

Neither quinoa, nor brown rice, holds a candle to broccoli or berries, as far as phytonutrients go. I'd rather have 2-3 servings of vegetables/fruits to get my carbs vs. having quinoa, rice, or a starch.

Quinoa isn't a "superfood", but it's better than a lot of other things. :D
 
The only superfood I know of is ribeye steak, grilled medium rare, plenty of garlic and salt. With grilled veggies on the side of course, oh, and don't forget the red wine. Very elating. Like meditation, but with chewing.

I tend to agree with Sid though, instead of eating grains or pseudograins, or neargrains, just eat more veggies. Unless you're running a marathon or something.
 
Sid, I think quinoa out out performs brown rice in almost every area, do a google quinoa vs brown rice you'll find loads of articles.
I personally am not interested in the carbs, 95% of my diet is plant based, but more the complete protein that quinoa offers, the essential amino acids in the right proportions.
The low glycemic qualities of quinoa is turning out to be great for me, no more snacking late at night because my blood sugars are all over the place..
I've just been adding 1/3 of a cup to my main meal, i see it as a supplement to what i'm already eating, which is mainly fruit and veg and the occasional wild fish when i can afford it. I think i'm sold for now :)
 
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The only superfood I know of is ribeye steak, grilled medium rare, plenty of garlic and salt. With grilled veggies on the side of course, oh, and don't forget the red wine. Very elating. Like meditation, but with chewing.

I tend to agree with Sid though, instead of eating grains or pseudograins, or neargrains, just eat more veggies. Unless you're running a marathon or something.


AMEN

Although, quinoa has a lovely nutty flavor and a nice texture.
I only eat it when I want to splurge; it's pricey.
 
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