Quinoa has been brought to everyone's attention the last few years as something healthy people 'in the know' are eating. I've been eating it here and there for a while and usually in relatively small quantities. I plan, at least initially here, to cut out wheat from my diet and figured a quinoa based stir-fry might be a good dish to try.
It turned out really good too! I ate a small portion for lunch then headed to a doctors appointment before going into work. I had a bit of a rumble in my stomach at the doctors, nothing new as it's the whole reason I was there anyways, and basically ignored it. Around 6 I got hungry and ate a larger portion for dinner...
Around 6:45 I had a bad headache. At 7 I was dizzy and my head was pounding to the point of keeping me from getting anything done. By 7:40 I was laying down in a dark conference room at work trying to figure out how not to throw up while also somehow getting home.
I forced myself to drive home at 8 which cost me 3+ hours of PTO. As soon as I got into my house I laid down on the bed in a fetal position and slept. Around 1:30 am I felt a tiny bit better and finally felt able to lift up my head. I googled a bit and realized I was having a somewhat common issue with the quinoa. A reaction to a toxin called saponin that is naturally present. I had rinsed it briefly in water (per the instructions on the container- fwiw this was the red quinoa from trader joe's). I obviously had not done enough, nor had I been aware of any danger. I won't be eating any quinoa in the future, I guess.
What?! I had no idea quinoa could do that! I just stick to rice and potatoes. If you want any wheat-free tips let me know. I've been off for about 6 years now.
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