Most people know that at UpFresh Kitchen Restaurants we are famous for our delicious and healthy bowls. Offering up mouth-watering flavors like Buffalo Chicken, Santa Fe Beef, Teriyaki Chicken, and Carnitas Pork, UpFresh Kitchen Bowls will satisfy your cravings and keep you coming back for more week after week.
But beneath all of that delicious protein and vegetables, down below the cheese and spices, there lies something controversial. Something that even the closest of friends sometimes never agree upon. Yes – we are talking, of course, about the base.
All UpFresh Kitchen restaurant bowls are served over either Jasmine Rice or Quinoa blend. To avoid becoming embroiled in controversy, we decided long ago to let you choose the base that is best for you. Whether you are on Team Jasmine or Team Quinoa, our goal is and always will be to provide you with the healthy and delicious food that you’ve been craving.
And of course, you can always mix it up and try both of our nutritious bases. Here are some helpful facts to get you started in your UpFresh Bowl journey…
First of all, what exactly is Quinoa?
The seed of the Chenopodium quinoa plant is known as quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah). It is not a grain, according to botany. However, it is frequently referred to as a “pseudograin” because its nutrients are comparable to cereal grains and it is eaten in the same manner.
And Jasmine Rice?
Jasmine rice is grown largely in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. It has an outstanding cooking quality due to its fluffiness and slightly sticky texture when cooked.
Nutritional Differences
Our jasmine rice base offers 256 Calories, whereas our quinoa blend base comes in at a trim 195 Calories. While jasmine rice has more calories, our quinoa blend offers around 3 more grams of protein to every bowl. Quinoa blend also adds around 7 grams of fat per bowl when compared with the jasmine rice alternative.
Nutritional data aside, our jasmine rice and quinoa blend bases each have their own unique set of advantages.
Did you know that jasmine rice can promote healthy pregnancy? Folic acid is abundant in jasmine rice. Folic acid has been related to healthy pregnancies, particularly when consumed prior to pregnancy and during the first trimester. Regular folic acid consumption, in particular, has been related to lower incidence of birth abnormalities and neural tube malformations. As a result, jasmine rice is a healthy option when attempting to conceive and during pregnancy.
[+] Learn more about the nutritional benefits of Jasmine Rice
Meanwhile quinoa, unlike most plant-based foods, is a complete protein, meaning it includes all of the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the protein building blocks that make up your muscles, bones, skin, and blood. The nine “essential” nutrients must be taken from food on a daily basis because your body cannot make or store them, and quinoa contains all nine.
[+] Learn more about the nutritional benefits of Quinoa
Regardless of which base you choose, our healthy and delicious UpFresh Kitchen Restaurant Bowls will satisfy your cravings and keep you coming back for more week after week.