Pseudocereals are a family of plants with culinary properties similar to those of the grass or cereal family. Typical in Andean culture, they include the popular quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat.
Pseudocereals have an interesting nutritional value with a high protein content. They are also a source of carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols and polyphenols.
What are its nutritional benefits?
Among the main nutritional advantages of pseudocereals, some of their nutritional properties stand out:
They contain vegetable proteins of higher quality than wheat, including essential amino acids.
They are high in fiber.
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They have unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
They have a high concentration of folate.
They do not contain gluten, therefore, they are a good alternative to vary the diet of people with gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease.
There are many benefits to pseudo-cereals, but like all seeds, they also contain lectins and saponins that can cause inflammation and become enemy foods for some people. We recommend that you know your own food sensitivities to know for sure if you can consume them.
Although there are several plants within this group, these are the 3 most common pseudocereals in our diet:
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)
Quinoa is a seed extracted from a tall, leafy plant, and is related to spinach, beets and chard. Its seeds, which have a nutty flavour and a texture similar to brown rice, are high in protein. Compared to traditional cereals, quinoa seeds are also high in fibre and oil and are an important source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and various antioxidants. The young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable similar to spinach.
In addition to its nutritional value, it is a frost-resistant, salt-tolerant crop that can grow on poor soils, which is why it is a species included in numerous food security programs and as an alternative crop.
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