I was surprised to find out recently that quinoa is recommended for astronauts on long space flights. I discovered this while watching a TV show that was looking for the best foods you can eat. One of the guests was a former astronaut and there was a list of the top ten foods. Number one on the list was quinoa.
In addition to being eaten by our space travelers, it is now part of NASA’s food program for growing in space. As part of this elite group of superfoods, quinoa is finally getting the recognition it deserves. NASA is researching what foods we have here on earth will be the most beneficial in terms of how easy it is to grow. They also need all foods in the research program to be highly nutritious.
There is no time to waste with plants and foods that do not provide vitamins and minerals. So I was very pleased to discover that quinoa has become this elite group of foods. It gives a higher profile to a seed that everyone in the world should be eating as part of their daily food intake.
Why quinoa works in space
There are a number of reasons that make quinoa a good food for astronauts. The rather mundane first is that it is easily stored. You don’t need a fridge. You don’t even need an airtight container for shelf life up to a month. It’s so easy to store and pull out the amount you need when you need it. Because it’s a complete protein, it’s so much better than trying to eat meat or meat substitutes in space. Contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it the only seed or grain that is a complete protein.
Another reason for its space suitability is that it is a complex carbohydrate. Without getting too technical, this means that all the benefits of the vitamins and minerals are slowly released into the body and bloodstream over time. That way you don’t have to eat as often and you don’t get as hungry.
Quinoa basically gives you the feeling of being well fed for a long period of time. Slow-release carbs also mean you don’t get a sugar rush that can trigger food cravings. It must be bad enough to have a food craving in space. Where could you go to find something that solves your craving?
If quinoa is so good for astronauts, you should know more about it and learn how it can revolutionize your diet and eating habits.