What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa?

Toss it in salads . Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

What is the nutritional value of quinoa salad?

Serving size: About 2 cups Calories 313. Total fat 13 g. Saturated fat 3 g. Trans fat 0 g. Monounsaturated fat 5 g. Cholesterol 10 mg. Jun 19, 2015

Does quinoa burn belly fat?

It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease .

What are the effects of eating quinoa everyday?

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease . Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Is it okay to eat quinoa salad everyday?

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day . You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is quinoa a lot healthier than rice?

Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice . Unlike rice, quinoa fibers help to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. Unlike rice, quinoa reduces your blood fat levels after a meal called triglycerides. Quinoa has a higher amount of all essential amino acids.

Is quinoa better for me than rice?

Quinoa and rice are comparable in terms of calories and fiber content. They're both nutritious ingredients that can complement a well-rounded diet, but quinoa has the edge. It is a complete protein, while brown rice only contains a few of the essential amino acids.

Is quinoa better for you cooked or raw?

Quinoa can be eaten raw or uncooked if it is first soaked and sprouted, but some experts advise that quinoa should always be cooked , not consumed as a raw sprout. It is equally nutritious in sprout form, but cooking may be a safer and more versatile way to include it in your diet.

Is quinoa actually better for you than rice?

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice . A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Is quinoa better for you than rice or pasta?

Quinoa not only has more protein and minerals than pasta, couscous, or rice, but it also has a more favorable glycemic index . Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar rise and it's an important metric for diabetics. The lower the number, the less a food will raise blood sugar.

Thai Quinoa Salad Recipe (Healthy & So Easy!)

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This easy Thai quinoa salad combines protein-rich grains with healthy nutrients from fresh veggies, for a lime-infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite.

This easy Thai quinoa salad combines protein-rich grains with healthy nutrients from fresh veggies, for a lime-infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite. It’s great as a sidefor potlucksand as a mainwhen you add chopped chicken. It’salsoan easy andcompleteweekday lunchtoo.

I remember being at a Weight Watchers meeting where a woman emphatically stated that she did. NOT. like. quinoa. There was no changing her mind. But in my head I couldn’t figure out why she was putting up the quinoa roadblock.

Quinoa is one of my favorite protein sources, probably because it’s so unassuming.Like a seventh grade girl, it takes on the flavors it’s paired with.

For this quinoa salad, that means the salty flavors of a limey Thai dressing with plenty of veggie crunch. It’s the perfect side dish or main meal if you’re feeling the hug of your waistline just a little too much.

Quinoa is a bona fide super food. It’s gluten-free, packed with protein, fiber and flavonoids with studies showing it as an anti-inflammatory. It’s also loaded with antioxidants to keep those free radicals at bay.

What’s in This Thai Quinoa Salad?

At the heart of this power salad are the grains of quinoa that cling to a bevy of fresh veggies and are the start of this healthy bowl.Edamame is included along with peanuts for added protein. Red bell peppers add even more antioxidants and vitamin C withcucumbers and shredded purple cabbage coming in with thecrunch.

quinoa
red bell pepper
carrot
cucumber
green onion
edamame
red cabbage
cilantro
basil
peanuts

What’s In This Quinoa Salad Dressing

The dressing is simple, tart and sweet and very similar to the one I serve with spring rolls. It’s made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Add more red chili flakes to boost your metabolism, or less if you’re feeding the kids.

limes
fish sauce
soy sauce
ginger
sugar
vegetable oil
sesame oil
red pepper flakes

If you can find Thai basil, it makes a great addition. If not, regular basil will do.

How to Make Thai Quinoa Salad

To make this easy Thai salad, first prep the quinoa according to package instructions. While that cooks, prep the veggies and add them to a large bowl. Once cooked, add the quinoa to the bowl as well.

Whisk together the tangy vinaigrette and toss with the veggies and quinoa to combine. Garnish with fresh basil, cilantro, and peanuts and dive in.

Chopping and shredding the veggies will be the only thing that takes any time in putting this salad together. To get extra thin shreds of carrot, I use the shredder in this set of three peelers.

You can enjoy this Thai quinoa salad right away, or refrigerate it for up to a day before serving it.

Is There a Fish Sauce Substitute I Can Use?

If possible, get your hands on a high quality fish sauce like this one for a more authentic flavor. But if you’re really against using it or don’t have any on hand, you can likely get away with using Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce in a pinch. (Note that I’ve only ever made this recipe using fish sauce, so this is just my best guess).

Can I Prep This Salad in Advance?

If you’d like to prep this Thai salad for your lunches this week, I recommend storing the dressing separately and tossing it with your salad just before you’re ready to eat it. Once the dressing gets tossed with the veggies, the salad will stay good for only a day or two. However, because the ingredients are all sturdy, I’ve meal prepped it, refrigerated it, and eaten it throughout the whole week.

Tips for Making Thai Quinoa Salad

Make sure to rinse your quinoa before cooking it. Quinoa is coated in a substance called saponin, and if you don’t rinse it off your salad will wind up tasting quite bitter.

Feel free to add extra veggies to this salad or omit any you don’t have on hand. This is a flexible recipe, so tweak it as needed.

Also, I used a peeler to make pretty strands of the carrot. If you don’t have one, a regular box grater will do.

More Healthy Salad Recipes With Tons of Flavor

Ahi Tuna Poke and Mango Salad
Strawberry Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta
Mediterranean Tomato Salad
The Best Fattoush Salad
Greek Salad with Chicken

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below,or take a photo andtag me onInstagramwith #foodiecrusheats.

Thai Quinoa Salad

This power salad combines protein-packed grains with the healing nutrients from fresh veggies for a lime infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite.

Course Salad

Cuisine Asian, Thai

Keyword quinoa salad

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings as a side

Calories 213kcal

Ingredients

Salad

1 cup quinoa
1 red bell pepper , chopped
1 carrot , peeled and shredded
1 cucumber , chopped
1 cup frozen edamame , thawed
6 green onions , chopped
1-2 cups shredded red cabbage
½ cup chopped peanuts
½ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup chopped basil

Dressing

4 teaspoons fish sauce
3 limes , juiced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

Rinse the quinoa under cold water and cook in a medium saucepan according to package directions. Remove from pan and let cool.
Add the quinoa and vegetables to a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, limes, sugar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes until the sugar has dissolved. Taste for sweetness and for heat, and add more seasoning to taste. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the cilantro, basil and peanuts over the salad and stir lightly. Serve or refrigerate for up to one day.

Notes

I used a vegetable peeler/shredder like these to make pretty strands of the carrot. If you don't have one, a regular box grater will do.

Nutrition

More Easy Thai Recipes You’ll Love

Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice
Shrimp in Thai Coconut Sauce
Thai Zucchini Noodle and Quinoa Salad
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup
Thai Curried Salmon

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Thai Quinoa Salad Recipe (Healthy & So Easy!) | foodiecrush.com (2024)