One cup of cooked quinoa (about 185 g) provides roughly 220 calories, 8 g of protein, and 5 g of fiber, per USDA FoodData Central. Quinoa is unusual among grains: it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a "complete" plant protein. It’s energy-dense like other grains — measure a ½ cup cooked portion if you’re watching calories, and pair with vegetables and protein.
Key facts:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa: ~220 kcal
- Protein: ~8 g (complete)
- Fiber: ~5 g
- Measure ½ cup portions