BetterBody Foods Organic Quinoa, Gluten-Free, Rice Replacement, 24 oz

Quinoa is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand health foods on the planet and it's easy to understand why. Not only is it extremely nutritious, it's delicious and easy to make, too! Quinoa may be relatively new on the health and fitness food scene, but it has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Incas living in the Peruvian Andes were the first to cultivate it. They viewed the crop as sacred and referred to it as "chisaya mama" or “Mother of all Grains,” which is very fitting since quinoa just so happens to be a superfood. In fact, it was so revered by the Incas that the emperor himself would come out to traditionally sow the first seeds of the season with special tools made out of gold. I love BetterBody Foods products and consider them the "gold standard" when it comes to quinoa. It's certainly one of the best brands on the market today in terms of taste, quality, and affordability. BetterBody Foods Quinoa comes sealed in a nice thick plastic jar with a screw on lid that locks in freshness. It is certified organic, which is a must when consuming any type of grain as they tend to leech harmful chemicals and heavy metals from the soil they're grown in. So what makes quinoa a superfood? Well, “superfood” is really just a sensationalized way of saying “food with high nutritional value.” And what we know for sure when it comes to quinoa, is that it's packed with nutrients. Quinoa is one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, cysteine, methionine, threonine, histidine, tryptophan and valine. It is also high in fiber, magnesium, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants. A typical serving of quinoa provides 14 grams of protein per 100 grams of quinoa. Quinoa is also energy-dense, packing more calories than your typical grain, which makes it perfect for supporting an active lifestyle. (i.e. being an Inca warrior!) It fills you up, gives you sustained energy and has a low glycemic index, which makes it an excellent addition to a diabetic diet. Quinoa is also non-GMO and gluten-free. Quinoa is a versatile grain that is often substituted for rice, couscous, farro, hemp seed, millet, orzo, risotto, tabbouleh, and wheat. It can be sprinkled into soups, boiled in broth until fluffy in the microwave or on your stove top, fried in a skillet to give it an extra nutty flavor, ground into gluten-free flour and baked into your favorite breads and cookies, popped like popcorn, sprouted and then added to salads and smoothies, or simply eaten raw. Raw quinoa will stay fresh for months at a time, if stored properly in an air-tight container. Cooked quinoa should be refrigerated for a few days and can be frozen for long-term storage, so you can make a lot of it all at once then simply reheat when ready to use. As you can see, you really can't go wrong with BetterBody Foods Quinoa. There are plenty of reasons to add this amazing grain to your diet and even more ways to prepare it. The possibilities are truly limitless. So what are you waiting for?

I am reviewing Betterbody Foods Organic Quinoa, 24 oz. I received this product free to try, in exchange for my opinion of the product. I selected this product because it is certified (NSF) gluten-free (a must for my daughter), as well as organic. We are also trying to eat healthier. The label does indicate they are made in a facility that makes products containing coconut, but for my family, this is not an issue since we use coconut oil in many dishes. This is also the first time I have ever tried baobab. I like that it naturally is a source of protein and fiber. Serving size is 1/4 cup and adds 160 calories. I tried a tiny amount of the product straight, and it had a no discernable flavor. They are very small seeds, and had a very slight crunch to them when eaten 'raw'. There was no 'after' taste. My daughter used it in a quinoa chili taco type dish, and it was delicious. There are a mutiple amount of dishes online to use it in, including homemade granola bars, etc. I do like this product, and see myself buying it in the future. With a person in the household that cannot eat gluten, this product adds another food to her 'can eat' list. I will be buying it in the future.