Amaranth, Quinoa and Co. – Superfood for better fitness

Side dishes provide variety on the plate. But it doesn’t always have to be noodles, potatoes or rice. A lot of Supermarkets offers numerous other possibilities. They are not only delicious, but they also can keep us healthy and fit. Superfood such as amaranth, quinoa and green spelt are full of valuable ingredients. Ideal for athletes.

What’s the point of superfood?

Healthy food that tastes really good? Too good to be true? No. Not only in the organic market or health food store but even in discount stores you can find great foods that are ideal for athletes. These superfoods will enrich your diet:

Superfood Amaranth

Amaranth is one of the oldest plants cultivated by humans and is considered a pseudo-grain. It is not a cereal but looks and is prepared like this. It is actually the seed of a foxtail plant. A single plant provides around 50 000 seeds with the following ingredients:

• The protein content of amaranth seeds is significantly higher than in milk and soy.

• The oil contained in the seeds consists of 80 per cent healthy unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6.

• The many fibres ensure good digestion and they also help to reduce overweight.

• The high proportion of lysine is particularly interesting for athletes. This amino acid stimulates energy and metabolism. This helps to increase your performance.

• Amaranth is easy to prepare and goes very well with savoury dishes, casseroles, vegetables and salads.

Superfood Quinoa

Is pronounced “Kinwa” and has been a staple food in the Andes region for more than 6 000 years. The pseudo-grain belongs to the foxtail family and is closely related to spinach and chard.

• The grain contains a lot of long-chain fatty acids, including the valuable omega-3 fatty acids that keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.

• Contains also large amounts of magnesium and riboflavin, which are able to relax the muscles. In addition to that, there are large amounts of iron, potassium and calcium.

• Quinoa is also a great source of essential amino acids such as lysine, cystine and tryptophan.

• All three amino acids have a positive influence on well-being and increase performance.

• All three amino acids have a positive influence on well-being and increase performance.

• Quinoa tastes like risotto. It’s delicious with fish and in flake form, you can enrich cereals and soups.

Superfood Green spelt

For athletes who want to build strength, the unripe spelt should be on the menu regularly. Green spelt is richer in protein than cereals. It also contains a lot of B-vitamins. They have a positive influence on the stress hormones and thus promote performance. The high iron content is good for the blood, the potassium supports the heart at work, the magnesium improves the oxygen supply of the cells. Green spelt is available as whole grain or crushed as grist, semolina or flour. It can also be used to make pastries and tasty bread.