Quinoa is a flowering plant in the amaranth family that originated thousands of years ago in the Andes Mountains.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa is a seed that acts like a grain when cooked.

Isabel Smith, R.D., CDN

Quinoa also grows in a rainbow of colorsfrom white to red to black.

Here’s how the different colors compare nutritionally:

Who can eat quinoa?

In short, anyone can eat it.

Colored quinoa comparison

It’s gluten-free,keto-friendly, and Mediterranean-diet-approved.

But there are some people who follow certain eating plans and should probably stay away from quinoa.

Quinoa is good for anyone who isn’t following an extremely low-carb, paleo, or grain-free diet.

Quinoa versus rice comparison

How do you eat quinoa?

Quinoa can be used in many different ways, and it’s super easy to make, too.

Beyond that, they also haveslightly different nutritional profiles:

The bottom line.

Quinoa is a versatile seed that can be used in so many ways.

It’s also quite rich in nutrients and lots of flavor.