What’s new on platter?

Smridhi Chawla

Walk into any restaurant or café, quinoa and kale-based delicacies are a common feature on the menu cards nowadays. The “super foods” have been around for a while. Of late, they have witnessed a sudden surge in popularity among health-conscious Indians.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), the local food of Bolivia and Peru (which is its highest producer), has become a global health fad. To get a sense of its popularity, here’s a bit of information. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations had declared 2013 as the ‘International Year of Quinoa’. 

As for kale, the green leafy vegetable, was earlier primarily used as a salad dressing. Now, its usage is ubiquitous.

The reason for their widespread use stems from their health benefits. 

Nupur Malhotra, Panchkula-based nutritionist, says: “Kale is high in Vitamin A, C and K. It is stacked with iron, fibre, calcium, anti-oxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Quinoa, on the other hand, is gluten-free, and protein powerhouse. It is one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids.  If consumed regularly, the two foods work wonders.”

Quinoa and kale appeal to the senses of those who like their food tasty and have an obsession to read the nutrition content label before diving into what’s inside the package.

Parul Malhotra, a Delhi-based nutritionist and diabetes educator, quips, “Quinoa is a pseudocereal (non-grass), which has recently gained popularity in the Asian countries. It can be cooked like rice and can easily replace rice and roti.” Parul advises against boiling kale, as it reduces the nutritional composition. “Kale can serve to be a refreshing addition to salads and smoothies. Or, it can be stir-fried and served with several grilled vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes,” she adds.

Adding to the X-factor of quinoa and kale is their ability to combat several diseases. Shreya Singh, head dietician, Shreya’s Family Diet Clinic, says: “Quinoa is rich in anti-oxidants phytonutrients and anti-inflamatory micro-nutrients. It can help prevent cancer, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes. And kale helps in fighting cataract, cancer and heart diseases.”

Consumers also testify the benefits of these super foods. Sanjiv Narang, CEO, Continental Group says: “I have been an ardent consumer of the two. They were prescribed to me by my dietician almost a year ago. They have been of immense help in managing my weight and health issues. But of course, the two are heavy on the pocket.” 

On health front

• Quinoa is gluten-free and easy to digest, so highly recommendable for those with gluten allergy/sensitivity and indigestion issues 
• Kale is high in Vitamin A, C and K. It is stacked with iron, fibre, calcium, anti-oxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties

Dash of glamour

• Several Hollywood celebrities and biggies such as former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, have championed the consumption of quinoa and kale
• Not to be left behind, Bollywood is also swearing by the two foods. In the upcoming movie ‘Raabta’, Kriti Sanon dons tee with  ‘Quinoa and Kale’ written over it.