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What is a Super Food?
Quinoa is popularly known as a super food and is also a great example for the same. The reason why super foods are so known is due to its high nutritional content and its ability to beat fetal diseases like cancer. Quinoa is seed of a plant that is scientifically known as Chenopodium quinoa. It is a pseudo-cereal which is also gluten free and thus can be used by people who cannot consume wheat. It is crunchy and nutty. It is used to make salads, soups and porridge for morning breakfast. Though there are a lot of healthy foods, only some are called as super foods.
Nutritional Content of Super Foods like Quinoa:
A 100 gram of cooked quinoa consists of all varieties of nutrients that the body would possibly require for efficient functioning. It has nearly 71.6% of water content, proteins upto 4.5 gms, 21gms of carbohydrates and calories around 120 units. It has a very low content of sugar which is about 1 gram per 100 grams of serving. Fiber, which is responsible for a healthy gut, constitutes about 3 grams, it also contains polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fats in traces. Not only this, Omega-3 and Omega-6 also show their presence.
Isn’t this gem rightly known as a super-food? But quinoa is not the only seed that tops the list of super foods. There are various such super foods available all over the world like kale, salmon, chia seeds, goji berries, mixed nuts, Aztec quinoa, amazon acai berry, etc. But it would be very inconvenient to have all of these locally available for anyone and at an affordable price. Most of these super foods are very dear to the pocket. Even if they are commonly available, they are mostly imported and thus they naturally have to be expensive. In such a condition, one needs to find local and more accessible options to consume. Here’s a list of cheaper Indian alternative to such super foods:
9 Cheaper Indian Alternatives To Superfoods Like Quioa
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Indian Basil Seeds in place of South Mexican Chia seeds
Indian Basil Seeds are used after being soaked in water. They form tiny consumable structures which cool our internal systems. They look very much like chia seeds. They are a quick source of vitamins, iron and helps control blood sugar. Just like chia seeds have high fibre content, similarly, mint seeds are extremely good for your gut and prevent problems like constipation.
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Indian amaranth in place of Aztec Quinoa:
If one was to rate Indian Amaranth against Aztec Quinoa on criteria like calcium, zinc, iron and fiber; amaranth scores better than quinoa. It is also more easily available and pocket-friendly.
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Indian amla in place of amazon Acai Berry:
Amla or gooseberry is very famous in Indian kitchens. Indian Mothers find various ways of feeding them to their children considering the nutritional content. These are rich in vitamin C nutrient. Acai berry is known for its anti-aging and weight loss properties. Gooseberries can be rated at a higher degree than acai berry in this regard. It has 20 times more amount of Vitamin C than the Amazonian counterpart and twice as amount of antioxidants.
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Coconut Oil/Mustard Oil/ Peanut Oil in place of Olive Oil:
Olive oil has various health benefits however the local regional oils like coconut, mustard and peanut oil are no less. Mustard oil is rich in minerals, coconut oil keeps the consumers away from infections and peanut Oil has a lot of vitamin E. These can act as a proper substitute to the benefits imparted by Olive oil.
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Buckwheat instead of Oats:
Though oats are commonly available nearly all over the world, buckwheat can also be used as a substitute for the same. It is commonly known as kuttu. It is an excellent source of protein and amino acids. It improves digestion and is thus very beneficial for the gut; just like oats are high on fiber content and thus improve the process of digestion. It improves blood circulation.
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Beet Greens in place of Kale:
Kale is a well known green leafy vegetable, known for its high fiber and vitamin content. Similar to kale, Beet Greens are rich in vitamin A and vitamin K. It is also a great source of potassium. Beet Greens are not only more to be seen in the local vegetable markets, they are also extremely cheap. You may find kale in the nearest vegetable market and if you do, you may have to pay a heavy price for the same.
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Indian jamoon in place of Chinese Goji Berry:
They are both very beneficial for diabetic patients. Goji Berry is commonly found to be cultivated in China. Jamun, also known as Indian blackberry is its Indian counterpart when it comes to the nutritional value. It contains a good amount of calcium, potassium, iron, and Vitamins.
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Millet in place of Quinoa:
This is also a gluten-free alternative to quinoa. It is also a complete protein and the consistency becomes creamy when added to water. Millet can be cooked in various ways with various recipes Millet vs quinoa is a tough choice to make but millet beats it on price point as well.
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Ashwagandha in place of Chinese Ginseng:
Ashwagandha is a popular Indian Ayurvedic element. It is a substitute for Chinese ginseng which is popular healer of sexual dysfunctions. Ashwagandha serves this purpose and has many other advantages at a cheaper cost. Since it is an Indian herb, it will definitely be found more easily than Chinese ginseng.
Everything in nature has its own place and has its own nutritional value. However, instead of being blocked by not having an access to certain foods that may not be commonly available, it is always better to look up a substitute and gain the benefits from the counterparts of such commonly unavailable super foods. The idea is to be able to gain the best out of all food items for your body. Stay healthy, stay happy!
