This is delicious as a side salad or served as a complete meal or after workout nourishment. Quinoa is consider a “super food” for many reasons. Many think it’s a grain but it’s actually a seed. It’s high in protein, alkaline-forming, gluten-free, and it’s a complex carbohydrate that is low on the glycemic index, so your blood sugar level won’t shoot up after eating it like it can after you consume simple, high-glycemic index carbohydrates. Foods rich in carbohydrates are broken down by our digestive system and turned into glucose which is then absorbed into our bloodstream.

Quinoa-Bean Salad
Sticking with complex carbs that are low on the glycemic index can help you get the glucose you needs without a "sugar high". Complex carbs include: wheat, barley, rice, legumes: lentils, split peas, dry beans: pinto, kidney, and black.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp brown rice syrup
- 1/4 tbsp brown rice vinegar
- 4 cup cooked quinoa
- 2 cup beans
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1 zest of lime
- 2 juice of limes
- 1/4 tbsp ground pepper
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Mix brown rice syrup, brown rice vinegar, lime zest and lime juice together in a large bowl.
- Add the quinoa, beans, red cabbage, carrot, cilantro and salt and pepper.
- Toss until it is well mixed.
- Refrigerate before serving.