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2 Cheap & Mega Energy Foods

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June 11, 2010
	Jo Wehage : Head Operations Ego

Some people who dip their toe in the “healthier eating” pool sometimes pull back because the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables just seem too expensive. And boy oh boy is it tough to compete with the drive-thru $1 value menus, especially in these busy and tough economic times.

The good news is even though government subsidies give an unfair advantage to meat and dairy, turns out the cheapest food you can buy isn’t meat.

Bonus points: it’s also good for you and can be a mega energy food.

Today we’re talking beans and quinoa (keen-wah). Two things my husband never used to eat, but now when this competitive cyclist sees the dish on the counter exclaims “pure energy.”

Cheap
First, you can get a pound of dried beans (serving 6-8) for about $1 a pound. Organic varieties cost about $1.39 – 1.99 at Whole Foods. A box of quinoa costs about 39 cents a serving.

Now let’s flavor and compliment in a whole host of ways.

Easy
For beans we recommend you pick one day of the week, say Sunday afternoon, and prepare a whole pot of them to eat for the rest of the week. You can soak them the night before then boil them in water as the package indicates. You can also use a slow cooker for carefree cooking.

Adzuki beans, one of the features in our Healthy Food Experience, requires no soaking.

You can also cheat and buy the canned varieties, thought not as cheap, watch for added sodium and a little hit to the nutritional profile.

For quinoa, another super food featured in our Healthy Food Experience, it’s quite easy. Rinse, boil water, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Combine the two and flavor in a whole host of ways. Use them on a cold salad with your favorite dressing. Combine and eat warm with your favorite salsa as a topping. For a fast lunch, toss them together then grab a separate container from your local salad bar and grab a helping of red onions, bell peppers, corn, cilantro – and for me I add garbanzo beans to the mix. Cover with your favorite vinaigrette dressing and voila.

There are countless easy combinations. I even throw cooked quinoa in my smoothie. Just Google beans and quinoa recipe and watch them pop up.

Mega Energy & Mucho Healthy
Beans provide an excellent source of protein with very little fat. They contain high levels of potassium and fiber as well as B vitamins and important minerals.

Quinoa is a gluten-free, grain-like food that isn’t really a grain, but can be substituted for other rice and grains. It’s popping up more in more in your grocer’s aisle, so check around.

It’s also a good protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is also an easy source for light and high energy carbs, that in conjunction with its protein will give you long-lasting, stable energy.

Make them a staple this summer and see how creative you can get.

PS: a few seats remain at our next Healthy Food Experience, if you’d like to see some of these super foods in action.