It’ll supercharge your breakfast in an instant
You may be eating your fair share of fruits, vegetables, proteins and fats on the daily to achieve a balanced diet, but what your plate could be missing is an ingredient that will take your meals to the next level. This is where the humble-looking and tasting maca powder comes in. Hailing from South America, this ground-up root vegetable is packed with so much goodness, it almost seems too good to be true. Nutritionist Fiona Tuck shares her expert knowledge on this interesting ingredient.
What is maca powder
Maca powder is usually light brown in colour, and has to travel far to reach us here in Australia. “Maca powder is the dried root of the maca plant, which is native to Peru,” says Tuck. “It can come as a powder or in capsules, and has an unusual, mild but acquired taste that is slightly nutty in flavour.”
The benefits of maca powder
Don’t underestimate this powerful ingredient - it’s loaded with nutrients that your body needs. “Maca powder is used for its nutritional health benefits due to its rich mineral content such as calcium, potassium, iron, iodine, copper, manganese and zinc,” explains Tuck.
And that’s not all. “Maca also contains fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and amino acid, and is thought to help general vitality, energy and improve the mood. In particular, it is used for reproductive health, hormonal balance, relief of menopausal symptoms and to boost fertility, although there is little scientific evidence to support the proven benefits of maca.”
How to eat maca powder
This unusual ingredient is fast becoming a popular ingredient to use during breakfast. “Maca powder is best used in drinks or smoothies, or sprinkled on food such as cereal or porridge,” says Tuck. “It is best not to cook or heat maca as this may destroy valuable nutrients.”
Apple cider vinegar is another ingredient that’s become a staple in our kitchens. Here’s what you should know about the liquid.
Have you tried maca powder before? Please share with us in the comment section below.
Main image credit: Instagram @claudiaschiffer
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
