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Quinoa nutrition: calories, carbs, GI, protein, fiber, fats

Quinoa, cooked
Article author photo Arpi Gasparyan by Arpi Gasparyan | Last updated on August 23, 2023
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Quinoa

Carbs in quinoa

Cooked quinoa contains 72% water and 28% macronutrients. Most of the macronutrients in quinoa are carbs. One hundred grams of quinoa contains 21.3g of carbs, which covers 7% of the daily need (in the case of a 2000-calorie diet).

To cover the daily carb need, a person must consume 1.4kg of quinoa.

Macronutrients chart

5% 2% 22% 71%
Protein:
Daily Value: 16%
8.1 g of 50 g
8.1 g (16% of DV )
Fats:
Daily Value: 5%
3.6 g of 65 g
3.6 g (5% of DV )
Carbs:
Daily Value: 13%
39.4 g of 300 g
39.4 g (13% of DV )
Water:
Daily Value: 7%
132.5 g of 2,000 g
132.5 g (7% of DV )
Other:
1.4 g
1.4 g

Carbs per serving size

The average serving size of quinoa is 185 grams (one cup), containing 39.4g of carbs.

Different types

Raw or uncooked quinoa has three times more carbs compared to cooked quinoa.

Not only is uncooked quinoa high in carbs, but it is also not recommended due to being high in anti-nutrients.

Carbohydrate type breakdown

The chart below shows that all carbs that break down to simple sugars are starch.

Carbohydrate type breakdown

100%
Starch: 33 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g

Quinoa net carbs

As previously mentioned, 100g of quinoa contains 21.3g of carbs: 18.5 net carbs and 2.8g of dietary fiber. As quinoa is high in net carbs, it is not the best choice for low-carb diets such as Keto.

Quinoa is often compared to rice. Calculations have shown that white rice contains 1.5 times more net carbs and less dietary fiber than quinoa. To know more about their differences, you can visit this page.

Soluble or insoluble fiber

Most of the fiber found in quinoa is insoluble. According to one study, 78% of quinoa’s dietary fiber is insoluble, whereas, in another one, 88-90% of the fiber is insoluble (1, 2).

Fiber content ratio for Quinoa

4% 13% 83%
Sugar: 1.6 g
Fiber: 5.2 g
Other: 33 g

References

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25149016/
  2. https://www.scielo.br/j/cta/a/64zr4jJ7KCB8kZgZyQ3Hs6Q/
Article author photo Arpi Gasparyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: August 23, 2023
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian

Important nutritional characteristics for Quinoa

Quinoa
Glycemic index ⓘ Source:
Check out our Glycemic index chart page for the full list.
53 (low)
Glycemic load 18 (medium)
Calories  ⓘ Calories for selected serving 222 kcal
Net Carbs  ⓘ Net Carbs = Total Carbohydrates – Fiber – Sugar Alcohols 34 grams
Default serving size  ⓘ Serving sizes are mostly taken from FDA's Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs) 1 cup (185 grams)
Acidity (Based on PRAL)  ⓘ PRAL (Potential renal acid load) is calculated using a formula. On the PRAL scale the higher the positive value, the more is the acidifying effect on the body. The lower the negative value, the higher the alkalinity of the food. 0 is neutral. 2.3 (acidic)
Oxalates  ⓘ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329880400 196 mg
TOP 19% Magnesium ⓘHigher in Magnesium content than 81% of foods
TOP 28% Fiber ⓘHigher in Fiber content than 72% of foods
TOP 30% Folate, food ⓘHigher in Folate, food content than 70% of foods
TOP 32% Copper ⓘHigher in Copper content than 68% of foods
TOP 33% Net carbs ⓘHigher in Net carbs content than 67% of foods

Quinoa calories (kcal)

Serving Size Calories Weight
Calories in 100 grams 120
Calories in 1 cup 222 185 g

Quinoa Glycemic index (GI)

53

Quinoa Glycemic load (GL)

18

Mineral coverage chart

Calcium Calcium Iron Iron Magnesium Magnesium Phosphorus Phosphorus Potassium Potassium Sodium Sodium Zinc Zinc Copper Copper Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 9.4% 103% 85% 121% 28% 1.7% 55% 118% 152% 28%
Calcium: 94mg of 1,000mg 9.4%
Iron: 8.3mg of 8mg 103%
Magnesium: 355mg of 420mg 85%
Phosphorus: 844mg of 700mg 121%
Potassium: 955mg of 3,400mg 28%
Sodium: 39mg of 2,300mg 1.7%
Zinc: 6mg of 11mg 55%
Copper: 1.1mg of 1mg 118%
Manganese: 3.5mg of 2mg 152%
Selenium: 16µg of 55µg 28%

Mineral chart - relative view

118 mg
TOP 19%
0.36 mg
TOP 32%
1.2 mg
TOP 36%
2.8 mg
TOP 48%
2 mg
TOP 52%
281 mg
TOP 52%
31 mg
TOP 59%
318 mg
TOP 66%
5.2 µg
TOP 73%
13 mg
TOP 87%

Vitamin coverage chart

Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Folate Folate Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Choline Choline Vitamin K Vit. K 0.56% 23% 0% 0% 49% 47% 14% 0% 53% 58% 0% 23% 0%
Vitamin A: 28IU of 5,000IU 0.56%
Vitamin E: 3.5mg of 15mg 23%
Vitamin D: 0µg of 10µg 0%
Vitamin C: 0mg of 90mg 0%
Vitamin B1: 0.59mg of 1mg 49%
Vitamin B2: 0.61mg of 1mg 47%
Vitamin B3: 2.3mg of 16mg 14%
Vitamin B5: 0mg of 5mg 0%
Vitamin B6: 0.68mg of 1mg 53%
Folate: 233µg of 400µg 58%
Vitamin B12: 0µg of 2µg 0%
Choline: 128mg of 550mg 23%
Vitamin K: 0µg of 120µg 0%

Vitamin chart - relative view

78 µg
TOP 37%
0.2 mg
TOP 46%
1.2 mg
TOP 53%
0.23 mg
TOP 59%
0.2 mg
TOP 66%
9.3 IU
TOP 70%
43 mg
TOP 74%
0.76 mg
TOP 81%
0 mg
TOP 100%
0 µg
TOP 100%
0 µg
TOP 100%
Vitamin D
0 µg
TOP 100%

Protein quality breakdown

Tryptophan Tryptophan Threonine Threonine Isoleucine Isoleucine Leucine Leucine Lysine Lysine Methionine Methionine Phenylalanine Phenylalanine Valine Valine Histidine Histidine 103% 69% 62% 53% 63% 51% 59% 56% 101%
Tryptophan: 289mg of 280mg 103%
Threonine: 727mg of 1,050mg 69%
Isoleucine: 871mg of 1,400mg 62%
Leucine: 1449mg of 2,730mg 53%
Lysine: 1326mg of 2,100mg 63%
Methionine: 533mg of 1,050mg 51%
Phenylalanine: 1027mg of 1,750mg 59%
Valine: 1027mg of 1,820mg 56%
Histidine: 705mg of 700mg 101%

Fat type information

13% 29% 59%
Saturated Fat: 0.43 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.98 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 2 g

All nutrients for Quinoa per selected serving size (1 cup - 185g)

Nutrient Value DV% In TOP % of foods Comparison
Calories 222kcal 11% 68% 2.6 times more than OrangeOrange
Protein 8.1g 19% 64% 1.6 times more than BroccoliBroccoli
Fats 3.6g 5% 68% 17.3 times less than CheeseCheese
Vitamin C 0mg 0% 100% N/ALemon
Net carbs 34g N/A 33% 2.9 times less than ChocolateChocolate
Carbs 39g 13% 33% 1.3 times less than RiceRice
Cholesterol 0mg 0% 100% N/AEgg
Vitamin D 0µg 0% 100% N/AEgg
Magnesium 118mg 28% 19% 2.2 times less than AlmondsAlmonds
Calcium 31mg 3% 59% 7.4 times less than MilkMilk
Potassium 318mg 9% 66% 1.2 times more than CucumberCucumber
Iron 2.8mg 34% 48% 1.7 times less than Beef broiledBeef broiled
Sugar 1.6g N/A 67% 10.3 times less than Coca-ColaCoca-Cola
Fiber 5.2g 21% 28% 1.2 times more than OrangeOrange
Copper 0.36mg 39% 32% 1.4 times more than ShiitakeShiitake
Zinc 2mg 18% 52% 5.8 times less than Beef broiledBeef broiled
Starch 33g 13% 92% 1.2 times more than PotatoPotato
Phosphorus 281mg 40% 52% 1.2 times less than Chicken meatChicken meat
Sodium 13mg 1% 87% 70 times less than White BreadWhite Bread
Vitamin A 0µg 0% 100%
Vitamin E 1.2mg 8% 53% 2.3 times less than KiwiKiwi
Selenium 5.2µg 9% 73%
Manganese 1.2mg 51% 36%
Vitamin B1 0.2mg 16% 46% 2.5 times less than Pea rawPea raw
Vitamin B2 0.2mg 16% 66% 1.2 times less than AvocadoAvocado
Vitamin B3 0.76mg 5% 81% 23.2 times less than Turkey meatTurkey meat
Vitamin B6 0.23mg 18% 59% Equal to OatOat
Vitamin B12 0µg 0% 100% N/APork
Vitamin K 0µg 0% 100% N/ABroccoli
Folate 78µg 19% 37% 1.5 times less than Brussels sproutsBrussels sprouts
Saturated Fat 0.43g 2% 76% 25.5 times less than Beef broiledBeef broiled
Choline 43mg 8% 74%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.98g N/A 71% 18.6 times less than AvocadoAvocado
Polyunsaturated fat 2g N/A 44% 43.8 times less than WalnutWalnut
Tryptophan 0.1mg 0% 85% 5.9 times less than Chicken meatChicken meat
Threonine 0.24mg 0% 87% 5.5 times less than Beef broiledBeef broiled
Isoleucine 0.29mg 0% 87% 5.8 times less than Salmon rawSalmon raw
Leucine 0.48mg 0% 88% 9.3 times less than Tuna BluefinTuna Bluefin
Lysine 0.44mg 0% 84% 1.9 times less than TofuTofu
Methionine 0.18mg 0% 83% Equal to QuinoaQuinoa
Phenylalanine 0.34mg 0% 86% 3.6 times less than EggEgg
Valine 0.34mg 0% 88% 11 times less than Soybean rawSoybean raw
Histidine 0.23mg 0% 84% 5.9 times less than Turkey meatTurkey meat
Omega-3 - EPA 0g N/A 100% N/ASalmon
Omega-3 - DHA 0.03g N/A 39% 97.3 times less than SalmonSalmon
Omega-3 - DPA 0g N/A 100% N/ASalmon

Check out similar food or compare with current

NUTRITION FACTS LABEL

Nutrition Facts
___servings per container
Serving Size ______________
Amount Per 100g
Calories 222
% Daily Value*
5.5%
Total Fat 3.6g
1.9%
Saturated Fat 0.43g
0
Trans Fat 0g
0
Cholesterol 0mg
0.56%
Sodium 13mg
13%
Total Carbohydrate 39g
21%
Dietary Fiber 5.2g
Total Sugars 0g
Includes ? g Added Sugars
Protein 8.1g
Vitamin D 0mcg 0

Calcium 31mg 3.1%

Iron 2.8mg 34%

Potassium 318mg 9.4%

*
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Health checks

ⓘ  Dietary cholesterol is not associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in healthy individuals. However, dietary cholesterol is common in foods that are high in harmful saturated fats.
Source
Low in Cholesterol
ok
ⓘ  Trans fat consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality by negatively affecting blood lipid levels.
Source
No Trans Fats
ok
ⓘ  Saturated fat intake can raise total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels, leading to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fats to under 10% of calories a day.
Source
Low in Saturated Fats
ok
ⓘ  Increased sodium consumption leads to elevated blood pressure.
Source
Low in Sodium
ok
ⓘ  While the consumption of moderate amounts of added sugars is not detrimental to health, an excessive intake can increase the risk of obesity, and therefore, diabetes.
Source
Low in Sugars
ok

Quinoa nutrition infographic

Quinoa nutrition infographic
Infographic link

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168917/nutrients

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.