Quinoa to the Rescue for Fatigue?

Are you constantly feeling exhausted in the afternoon? Reaching for a Tim Tam and a caffeine cuppa?

Don’t reach for the Tim Tams!  Try this recipe instead...

Here’s something to think about – what you eat for breakfast is likely to be contributing to you reaching for that coffee and sweet snack in the afternoon, when you just want to put your head down on your desk, put your feet up on the couch and instead you reach for something easy to give you a boost.  You get a quick pick me up from a sweet snack with a tea or coffee and then feel tired again later on.  And the cycle goes on…

This is likely to be caused by your blood sugar level going up and down steeply over the course of the day, causing the release of more insulin to bring it back to usual levels, and leading you to feel up and down, energetic then flat, over the day.  Low blood sugar levels after a sugar high can even feel like “anxiety”.

What’s the answer?

I believe you may be better off with more protein at breakfast to elicit a more gradual release of energy and better blood sugar levels over the day.  For most people, except those with diagnosed kidney problems, having your palm-sized serve of protein at each meal will help stabilise blood sugar levels and the result will be more sustained energy over the day and less cravings for sweet foods.

Want a new breakfast recipe with great protein levels?

Quinoa Porridge

-              My new favourite! Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a seed, gluten free and a good source of protein – containing all nine essential amino acids, magnesium, folate and vitamin B 1 (thiamine).

Ingredients:

1 x cup quinoa (rinsed) and (you can soak overnight too)

3 x cups filtered water

3-4 tsps cinnamon (Sri Lankan, cinnamon verisol – preferred)

1 cup almond/nut or dairy milk of your choice

1 x apple cut into pieces

1/3 cup yoghurt (dairy or coconut)

1 x handful of fruit – your choice  - to serve on top

How?

Place quinoa and water in a small pot and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes.  This ensures the porridge is easily digested and gentle on your stomach.

While the quinoa is simmering add the chopped apple to cook gently.

Add the cinnamon whenever you feel like.

Test the consistency – this is personal – how thick or thin you like – you can always add more almond milk. The quinoa will swell and you can save a portion or two to have for a couple of days.

Serve with almond milk, yoghurt on top and fruit to make it fresh!

*serve with a drizzle of maple syrup if you need a little more sweetness