The mere utterance of the p-word sends many a vegan into abyssal annoyance. The fascination non-vegans seem to have with protein and “getting enough” is a curious phenomenon with roots buried deep in pure ignorance about where one can acquire this dietary darling. Gather around, huddled and curious masses and allow me to introduce you to my dear friend, quinoa.

Beautiful quinoa in a bowl

This teeny li’l grain packs a ridiculously mighty protein punch. A cup of quinoa has 24 grams of complete protein, 48% of the daily recommended value (for adults and children 4 and older). That’s more than a Junior Whopper with cheese and mayo (16 grams), a 10 piece chicken McNugget (23.8 grams), three large hard-boiled eggs (18.9 g), or a slice and a half of Dominos pepperoni pizza (20.9 g). With these few facts under my vegan defense intellectual tool belt, I can’t help but stifle my chuckles when a vaguely aspiring cud gnosher tells me the only hurdle in their cruelty-free dietary journey is that they need their protein and “the only source of that is meat”. It’s sad that most people don’t know that you can even get protein from non-animal sources and I having thought that way for 20 years.

And this ain’t just any old run of the mill protein. Quinoa is teeming with complete proteins, proteins that contain all the essential amino acids. This means no need for combing proteins (i.e. one bean dish plus one rice dish equals one combined protein feast). It’s a common misconception that to get in their complete proteins, vegans have to sit down at every meal and tally up this amino acid here, another amino acid there until all AA’s are accounted for. I’ve heard many an aspiring vegan/vegetarian explain they just don’t have the patience for such a (superfluous) task. Pish, posh, Vegan Would-Be! The vegan banquet table is teeming with complete protein fare (beans, soy, almonds, whole wheat bagels, oatmeal, etc.), and quinoa’s no exception.

Many of the things that give quinoa the right to sit at the cool kid’s table in Healthy High cafeteria revolves around what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t have loads of saturated or trans fats. It doesn’t have sugar. It is easy to find organic so isn’t swimming with hormones or pesticides. It won’t give you cancer if you eat too much of it. It won’t give you E. coli or salmonella if you don’t cook it long enough. It won’t give you heart disease. It can be stored for eons without spoiling.

What is one to do with this curious little crunchy grain? I’m a fan of mixing it in with salad dressings to boost my favorite leafy greens and mixing some in with the morning oatmeal is an easy way to start off right in the a.m. Another fave recipe of mine is Indian-spiced quinoa with sweet peas and pine nuts. When topped with some curried lentils and sweet potatoes, it’s like indulging in a delight fit for the gods and goddesses.

So stock up, my “protein deficient” comrades – quinoa is here to quell your woes and fend of those inquiries into the source of all that needed protein! Not only is it good for your bod, it’s great at putting those skeptics in their place while at the same time giving you the chance to drop some basic nutritional knowledge.