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What is Quinoa Cereal?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Quinoa cereal is a form of breakfast cereal made with quinoa, a crop native to the Andes of South America. This breakfast cereal can take a wide number of forms, most of which are very nutritious due to the high protein content of quinoa. Quinoa cereal can be eaten as a gluten-free alternative to traditional breakfast cereals, and as a nutritious breakfast. Some nutritionists also suggest that starting the day with a serving of protein can be very beneficial, and quinoa cereal allows people to meet this need without being required to eat heavier protein-rich foods like meats.

There are a number of ways to process quinoa for the purpose of making cereal. Some companies grind quinoa into a flour and use it to make cereal flakes or rings which can be eaten cold right out of the box. Like other boxed cereals, quinoa cereal can be served alone, or with a wide variety of toppings including fresh fruit and nuts. Milk or a dairy-free alternative can be used to moisten the quinoa cereal and add nutrition, for those who desire it. The advantage to boxed cereal is that preparation time is minimal, making it a good choice for a busy household.

Dried fruit can be mixed into quinoa cereal.
Dried fruit can be mixed into quinoa cereal.

It is also possible to eat quinoa as a hot cereal. Instant quinoa cereal is made from quinoa which has been ground into flakes and then cooked, allowing people to add a hot liquid for an instant hot cereal. Quinoa flakes, which require brief cooking, are also available, and people can simply use whole quinoa to make a hot breakfast cereal as well. The quinoa may be cooked in milk, water, or juice, depending on taste and the desired flavor.

Honey is used to sweeten quinoa cereal.
Honey is used to sweeten quinoa cereal.

Hot quinoa cereal has a mildly nutty flavor, and it can be eaten just like oatmeal, cream of wheat, and other hot cereals, with garnishes like milk, honey, sugar, fresh fruit, dried fruit, or nuts. Some people also use quinoa cooked on the day before to make a hot cereal, warming the already prepared quinoa quickly on the stove top for a quick breakfast.

Quinoa cereal can be sweetened with a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Quinoa cereal can be sweetened with a teaspoon of granulated sugar.

The nutrition content of quinoa cereal varies considerably. As a general rule, the more the cereal has been processed, the less nutritious it is, although some producers offset the loss of nutrition with supplements. Instant quinoa cereal is typically the least nutritious, with less protein, vitamins, and fiber than other forms of quinoa cereal. Sweetened cereals also tend to be less nutritious.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

summing

I am also a big fan of quinoa cereal and it turns out my baby is too. I was leery of using store bought baby cereal because it is a processed food that contains artificial colors and flavors. I didn't want to put that kind of stuffy into my son's body so I investigated quinoa baby cereal.

You can use quinoa powder, flakes or whole grains to make the cereal, but my baby seemed to enjoy the powder the best. What I love is that my baby is now getting all the health benefits of eating quinoa. He loves the taste and I know all the vitamins, minerals and proteins are better for his young body.

backdraft

I absolutely love quinoa breakfast cereal and it has been a staple of my diet for years. There are lots of yummy ways you can prepare it, but my favorite is to eat it hot with a splash of milk, raisins and some diced apple. This is a quick, easy, tasty and extremely healthy way to eat your first meal of the day. Try it the way I like it or tinker with your own quinoa recipe. Quinoa has a mild flavor naturally, and it works great when paired with other flavors and textures.

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    • Dried fruit can be mixed into quinoa cereal.
      Dried fruit can be mixed into quinoa cereal.
    • Honey is used to sweeten quinoa cereal.
      By: Sergii Moscaliuk
      Honey is used to sweeten quinoa cereal.
    • Quinoa cereal can be sweetened with a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
      By: bit24
      Quinoa cereal can be sweetened with a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
    • There are a variety of ways to make quinoa into a nutritious cereal.
      By: Elenathewise
      There are a variety of ways to make quinoa into a nutritious cereal.