So quinoa is this amazing superfood, one of if not the only grain that is a "complete" protein. Apparently its praises can't be sung enough. However, a serving (1C) is like 500 calories and 90 something grams of carbs. WTF!!!!!! So, I am having a difficult time making myself believe that it is okay to have these carbs, that's a crazy carb amount for me! Without the quinoa at lunch today's carb count would have been more like 25, instead it is 100! I will be exercising for 2 1/2 hours this evening but holy hell that is a lot of carbs, I don't care if they are complex.

Yeah, you have to watch portion sizes with some of these "superfoods." Nut butters are the worst offenders of this group!

That said, I've been feasting on this quinoa salad lately: quinoa, shrimp, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado with some salt and lime juice. SO good! Since there's so much other stuff mixed in, I'm only consuming maybe 1/4-1/3 cup of quinoa.

I cup cooked quinoa has 222 calories, according to Self Nutrition data, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2. It's a little higher than Pasta and rice. It is a complete Protein, but since I eat meat, I do not eat quinoa for a protein source. It's too calorie dense for the amount of protein you get. I eat as a grain, instead of whole wheat bread or pasta or brown rice. My max serving is generally 1/2 cup per meal and I'm more likely to eat about 1/3 cup.

Lynda

I'm having it today in the form of a cold salad with feta, red onion, fresh herb vinaigrette, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and mint. I'd say I've had about 3/4 of a cup. I stay away from nut butters, they are too easy to od on.

Oh yum, I'll try adding feta next time I make this!

I eat about 1/4 cup of quinoa as a grain with fish or meat. I saute onions and peppers with it too. It is calorie dense, but I don't eat much of it.

I'll NEVER give up my Peanut Butter either!