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Quinoa flour is becoming more popular as the years go on. It has such a high nutrient profile that it is widely considered one of the best superfoods out there. If you don’t know just how healthy quinoa is for you and what you can use it for, then the below guide will be a lot of help.
Many modern people have no idea just how much of a superfood quinoa is, despite it being a very ancient food with a long history of consumption. If you are interested in adding quinoa to your diet, you will quickly see that there are many ways to incorporate and make use of it. Since it is also gluten-free it is also very popular among vegans, coeliacs, and vegetarians.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 The best quinoa flour on the Canadian market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about quinoa flour
- 3.1 What is quinoa flour exactly?
- 3.2 What does it mean that quinoa flour is a superfood?
- 3.3 What are the benefits of quinoa flour?
- 3.4 What is the nutritional value of quinoa flour?
- 3.5 What is the difference between quinoa flour and other quinoa supplements?
- 3.6 What is the recommended dose of quinoa flour?
- 3.7 Can quinoa flour replace wheat flour?
- 3.8 Is quinoa flour suitable for both celiacs and diabetics?
- 3.9 Are there any contraindications to the consumption of quinoa flour?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Quinoa flour comes from quinoa seeds and has almost all of the same benefits as the raw seeds. The flour is a great complete source of vegetable protein since it has a complete amino acid profile.
- Because quinoa contains no gluten it is of immense dietary importance to many people. Additionally, anyone who simply wants to incorporate another high-quality source of fibre and plant-based protein into their diets will love it.
- You can use quinoa flour to make everything dough to dessert, creams, sauces, purees and even heat it up and eat it as a hot cereal. You can also just add quinoa flour to a vegan or vegetarian meal to make sure you are getting sufficient protein. It is also great for people with hypertension, cholesterol, and digestion issues.
The best quinoa flour on the Canadian market
As it is with most superfoods, the amount of different quinoa flour products on the market can be quite overwhelming. The most important factors are the quality of the ingredients and their nutritional value. Below is a selection of the best products on the Canadian market to help you make an informed purchase.
- GoGo Quinoa – Gluten-Free Quinoa Flour (500g)
- Yupik – Organic Quinoa Flour (1 kg)
- Bob’s Red Mill – Organic Quinoa Flour (623 g)
- LiveKuna – Organic White Quinoa Flour (32 oz)
- GoGo Quinoa – Pancake Mix (500g)
GoGo Quinoa – Gluten-Free Quinoa Flour (500g)
GoGo Quinoa’s Gluten-Free Quinoa Flour is 500 grams of gluten-free vegan-certified goodness. It is completely dairy free and an amazing alternative to traditional flour and anyone with a gluten intolerance. This power is actually a mixture of three different grains (quinoa, kaniwa and rice) that is milled into an ultra-fine cooking flour that goes nicely with many different recipes. Quinoa is also a nice choice for people trying to incorporate some additional non-animal-based proteins into their diet as quinoa is a great protein source.
Quinoa is a good-tasting alternative to wheat flour that you can good about eating and serving to friends and family. In fact, many people likely won’t even realize that you have not used wheat flour. This is a surprisingly versatile product at a good price, and it is easy to store. It is a nice addition to your daily breakfast, as a way to make gluten-free bread and pizza dough, and just to slowly ween yourself off wheat flour.
Yupik – Organic Quinoa Flour (1 kg)
Yupik’s Organic Quinoa Flour is a one-kilo bag of pure organic, healthy goodness. Additionally, it is certified kosher and completely free of sulphates. This product is made from high-quality and finely-ground white quinoa seeds. Keep in mind that quinoa flour will not add body to a recipe, but it will replace around 25 per cent of wheat flour in whatever you’re making. This is a nice product for gluten-free batters, baked goods, pizza dough, pancakes and so much more.
Quinoa is a great replacement for traditional flour if you are gluten-intolerant or if you are simply looking some additional great plant-based protein to your diet (quinoa is packed with fibre and protein). If you like quinoa and want more of it your diet, but are a little turned off by the grassy taste, you can always roast this flour before using it to help make the taste a bit more subtle. Furthermore, for the price, 1 kg of quinoa flour for this price is a really good deal.
Bob’s Red Mill – Organic Quinoa Flour (623 g)
Bob’s Red Mill is a recognizable name in cooking supplies and ingredients in Canada so it’s no surprise that they have made a great-tasting Organic Quinoa Flour. This is a great product for any vegans, vegetarians, or people who eat a gluten-free diet. But this quinoa flour isn’t just for those people. It’s high protein and fibre content make it a great dietary supplement for absolutely anybody. The nutty earthy flavours are definitely an acquired taste, but they are beloved by millions of people.
Furthermore, you can roast your quinoa flour to make those flavour more subtle. Quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains out there and is a literal superfood. Originally from South America, the Incas dubbed Quinoa the “mother of all grains” because of its unique and impressive nutritional value. This grain is a great source of complete protein and Bob’s Red Mill 623 g bag of Organic Quinoa Flour is a great value for money.
LiveKuna – Organic White Quinoa Flour (32 oz)
LiveKuna Organic White Quinoa Flour is a great-sized 32 oz bag that contains nothing but great-tasting and high-quality milled quinoa seeds. Whether you are looking for something to use as an alternative to wheat flour or eat a vegan/vegetarian diet, or want to use it as a great hot cereal in the morning, this product is a must-have for any modern pantry. It is a nice option for people eating a paleo diet and a nice source of resistant starch too.
Quinoa is a great high-protein, high-fibre alternative to traditional flour that takes just a little getting used to. Once you do, though, it will quickly become your favourite alternative flour and baking substitute on the market. If the flavour is too strong for you at first, you can bake or roast this flour for a few minutes and help tone down the earthy flavour for those who are uncertain about the taste. 32 Oz is small enough that you can keep this around the house, or take it on the road with you.
GoGo Quinoa – Pancake Mix (500g)
GoGo Quinoa’s Pancake Mix does all the legwork for you and combines quinoa with classic pancake ingredients to make a healthier, gluten-free mix so you can make classic pancakes whenever you want. These pancakes are ready in five minutes, so you can make a great-tasting breakfast or snack on the run that the whole family will love. This organic Quinoa tastes good, makes a nice pancake, and contains a lot of fibre and protein.
One thing to note is that if you are used to sweeter pancakes you might consider adding a little bit of sweetener, or something like stevia if you want a healthier option. This is a certified gluten-free, certified vegan, certified cruelty-free product. It also has a nice Ziploc to seal the bag shut so you always have a fresh, protected product that, depending on how often you use it, will keep for quite a long time.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about quinoa flour
The more people learn about quinoa and its amazing nutritional benefits, the faster they fall in love with it. In the below section we will break down the different features of this flour and the best ways to incorporate into your diet. By the time you’re done reading you will be a quinoa flour expert and ready to buy a great quinoa flour product.
What is quinoa flour exactly?
The quinoa seed used for flours is made using Chenopodium quinoa which is incredibly nutritious. Quinoa is an old superfood that dates backs thousands of years where pre-Columbian South American indigenous peoples widely consumed it. It then spread outwards from there.
What does it mean that quinoa flour is a superfood?
Incorporating superfoods into the modern diet is a growing trend. Quinoa is undoubtedly one of the most popular of these amazing foods, and quinoa flour is especially well-liked (since it can substitute for wheat flour). It is now common to find a range of quinoa supplements and products in both health stores and big Canadian supermarkets.
What are the benefits of quinoa flour?
- High percentage of complete vegetable proteins: This means it has a similar protein profile to other high-quality proteins out there, which is hard to find in a plant-based protein. This makes quinoa an essential part of a vegan or gluten-free diet.
- Contains phytoestrogens that regulate metabolic and hormonal activity: This helps to improve blood flow and the high fibre and low starch is great for weight loss, fighting against constipation and better digestion.
- It is gluten and cholesterol-free and has a low glycemic index: This makes it a perfect food for coeliacs and helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Quinoa flour is also very filling.
- It is simple to integrate into recipes: Quinoa is not only useful for making things like doughs, cookies, and other baked goods, but is also a nice addition to protein shakes, sauces, creams, and just by itself as a hot cereal.
What is the nutritional value of quinoa flour?
The following table details the nutrients contained in 100 grams of quinoa flour:
| Element | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | mg | 181 |
| Phosphorus | mg | 61 |
| Iron | mg | 3.7 |
| Retinol | mcg | 0 |
| Vitamin B1 | mcg | 0.19 |
| Vitamin B2 | mcg | 0.24 |
| Vitamin B5 | mcg | 0.68 |
What is the difference between quinoa flour and other quinoa supplements?
- Whole quinoa: Raw quinoa is very nutritious and versatile. It is high in fibre because the entire grain has been left whole. You can use quinoa seeds to make a number of foods as long as the seeds are cooked or sprouted. Different seeds have different flavour profiles. White quinoa is mild, while red quinoa is more intense. Black quinoa has been described as more “earthy”.
- Quinoa powder concentrate: This is similar to quinoa powder but it has been further refined. Quinoa powder concentrate is mostly used to add nutritional value to things like milkshakes, purees, and sauces. While the nutritional value is still high, you get less of the benefits than you would with the whole seed.
- Quinoa capsules: Quinoa capsules or pills have been filled with quinoa powder. While they are low in fibre, they still have high nutritional value and are rich in minerals. While the capsules taste mostly neutral, it is recommended to take them water during a meal.
What is the recommended dose of quinoa flour?
| Quinoa flour | Quinoa powder | Whole quinoa | Quinoa capsules | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended Serving (daily) | 20 to 50 grams | 20 grams | 50 grams (raw) | 3 capsules |
| Need cooking? | Yes | No (While they can be used in recipes, they need to be cooked first) | Yes (should be germinated prior to use) | No |
| Flavour | Mild | Neutral | Mild, similar to walnut | Neutral |
| Price | Cheaper | More costly | Cheaper | Moderate |
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Can quinoa flour replace wheat flour?
If you are making bread or baked goods and want the final product to be as close to what it would be with wheat flour as possible, it is a good idea to mix the flour with some other baking ingredients. Quinoa flour also works well as a substitute for lower-calorie cookies or pancakes. There are even quinoa flour pancake mixes on the market. You can use quinoa to make smoothies and milkshakes thicker too.
Is quinoa flour suitable for both celiacs and diabetics?
For diabetics, it is slightly more complicated. Whole see quinoa, thanks to its antioxidant profile, is great for diabetics, but as you further process the flour it loses some of its beneficial properties. Diabetics should talk to a specialist before beginning to take quinoa supplements or use quinoa flour.
Are there any contraindications to the consumption of quinoa flour?
The amazing benefits of quinoa have made it incredibly popular.(Source: Svetlana Kolpakova: 29868445/ 123rf.com)Anyone with a chronic illness (hormone imbalance, kidney or liver disease) or currently taking medications should speak to a physician before taking or eating quinoa. They will let you know what to be aware of, or if you should avoid quinoa flour altogether. A manufacturer’s instructions are no substitute for professional medical advice.
Shopping Criteria
You should, of course, consider the nutritional value of the quinoa flour you are buying, but there are other things to factor in a well. In the below section we will lay these out so you can make an informed decision when choosing and buying your quinoa flour.
Gluten-free certification
Quinoa flour is one of the most popular substitutes for wheat flour, especially by people who are celiac of gluten-intolerant. While quinoa seeds are, themselves, gluten-free, they are often processed in factories that also process other cereals that contain gluten (barley, rye, oats). If you simply can’t consume gluten, you should always ensure the gluten-free seal is on the product.
Ease of consumption
Quinoa flour tends to be packaged in vacuum-sealed packages that make them easy to open and have ziplock closing mechanisms. For anything that requires mixing or cooking, you need to make sure you are able to mix the quinoa flour with these ingredients without affecting the texture or taste of the food.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade is a certification that been grown, harvested and processed under fair conditions that benefit the producers, traders and consumers. Many products have the fair trade seal and it means that the supply chain involved in getting it to your table is an ethical one. It feels nice to support socially and environmentally business practices.
Refining
As previously mentioned, quinoa flour has an incredible amount of nutritional value packed into it, but it begins to lose it the more it is refined. Make sure you know how refined your quinoa flour or supplement is to know it hasn’t had all of its goodness leeched from it.
Origin of ingredients
The best and healthiest quinoa flour is grown and processed right at the source, where the conditions are the most natural. Be careful when buying quinoa flour you are not getting something with additives or chemicals added. This defeats the purpose of buying a superfood, and it will likely alter the taste of the product.
Summary
Quinoa flour is the consummate superfood. The flour and other derivatives made from the quinoa seed are great for people who can’t eat gluten. It can be effectively added to many different recipes, especially for baked goods as a nice wheat flour substitute.
Anyone can start incorporating quinoa flour into their diets and get the benefits. Quinoa flours have a staggering number of health and nutritional properties, but they are particularly beneficial for people who are suffering from digestive, cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular issues.
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(Source of featured image: Jirkaejc: 68078771/ 123rf.com)
