Day 17

Quinoa

No cleanse is ever complete without this seed (that we eat like a grain) with a cute letter spelling that may make you wonder if you’re pronouncing its name correctly. If you read it the way it’s written, you might say [Kee-no-ah]. However, it’s pronounced, “Keen-wah.”

Most people, I believe, eat quinoa as a delicate side dish to accompany fish or chicken – as I did just last night with grilled halibut and roasted brussels sprouts. We opted for the savory, and nutty red version. Quinoa is also available in white (mild-tasting, soft texture) and black coloring (with hints of sweetness). Others like to toss quinoa in a salad mix or in a warmed vegetable bowl. Still others like to munch on it for breakfast or as a snack as a warmed cereal with almond milk and topped with fresh berries and nuts, as I do. 

Whichever way you like it, you’re really going to love its nutritional profile. As the Harvard School of Public Health states, “Unlike some plant proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own.” The study also notes, “Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free and can be eaten safely if one has gluten intolerance such as celiac disease.”

If you’re looking for a starch-like side dish that doubles as a protein on your plate or in your cereal bowl, you’ve found it in any of the tri-color versions of quinoa. 

María Felicia’s 2023 New Year Body… Cleanse – Day 17

Written by Maria Felicia Kelley
Disclaimer: Maria Felicia Kelley is not a medical doctor. The cleanse and fasting benefits she discusses in this post are derived from her own experiences and observations. Individuals should consult their own healthcare providers when eliminating foods from their diets.
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