Weight loss pills, weight loss powders and supplements were used categorically by a specific set of people perhaps a decade ago, and there are folks who still plunge and invest a large amount on one supplement per month which is equivalent and comparable to the amount spent on the groceries for the entire family for a month!

What escapes our memory is:

• Can we sustain by eating these products all our lives?
• The results one achieves, will the weight loss be sustainable?
• Will we be able to keep burning a hole in our pockets forever?
• What about the aftermath or detrimental effects of these products on the body?

In my experience all quick fixes are a big NO. So lets Uncomplicate.

Let’s invest WISELY on your groceries.

• Because of the accessibility of groceries, eventually we will continue with them for a long time.
• The results of eating healthy will stay.
• It’s economical to consume the correct groceries.

So talking about groceries, one such seed (pseudo grain) is quinoa that is quintessential, if you are contemplating weight loss.

• Portioning is the key to weight loss. Any ingredient that is considered as helpful in weight loss, cannot be ingested in inappropriate quantities.

Eg: Quinoa is good for protein content especially for vegetarians. Set side by side with other grains, a cup of quinoa provides 222 calories which might be 20 percent of the total calories allowed on an average 1200 kcal plan. On that account, if the serving size and portioning are not planned well, it may be difficult to loose weight. 

• Quinoa is loaded with fiber and fiber plays an imperative role in weight loss. A Significant amount of fiber in diet leads to elevated levels of satiety and thus decreased caloric consumption.

• The protein in quinoa helps keep blood sugar steady and, because protein takes more energy to break down than carbs or fat, we actually burn more calories during digestion. A cup of quinoa has 8 grams of high-quality protein.

• Furthermore, quinoa is abundant in folate, vitamin B, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and even a small amount of calcium.

Do remember, the fundamental basics of healthy cooking apply to quinoa as well – cooking quinoa in minimum oil and with loads of vegetables preserves the essence of the nutritional benefits dispensed by the super grain.

– Monica Magoo, Nutritionist & Diet Consultant