ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is currently living on board the International Space Station for her long duration mission Futura. Food is an important item in space also on the psychological part; thats why astronauts are allowed a certain quantity of the so-called “bonus food” of their choice that remembers them their home cooking tastes.
We have asked Samantha to show us how she manages to cook in microgravity one of her bonus food recipes: a quinoa salad with dried tomatoes, mackerel and leek cream, all wrapped in a warm tortilla.
According to the FAO, quinoa is the grain crop with the most nutrients per 100 calories. It has no cholesterol and does not cause allergies. It is so nutritious that NASA feeds it to crews on long space missions. It is a natural, healthy and easily-grown food.
ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is currently living on board the International Space Station for her long duration mission Futura. Food is an important item in space also on the psychological part; thats why astronauts are allowed a certain quantity of the so-called “bonus food” of their choice that remembers them their home cooking tastes.
We have asked Samantha to show us how she manages to cook in microgravity one of her bonus food recipes: a quinoa salad with dried tomatoes, mackerel and leek cream, all wrapped in a warm tortilla.
As well as being eaten by our space travellers it is now part of NASA food programme for growing crops in space. As part of this elite group of super foods quinoa is at last getting the recognition it deserves. NASA is looking into which foods we have here on earth will be the most beneficial from the point of view if how easy it is to grow. They also need all the foods in the research programme to be highly nutritious.
Quinoa basically gives you the feeling of being well fed over a long period of time. The slow release carbohydrates also mean that you do not get a sugar rush which can lead to food cravings. It must be pretty bad to have a food craving in space. Where could you go to find something to solve your craving?
If quinoa is so good for the astronauts you owe it to yourself to find out more about it and learn how it can revolutionise your diet and eating habits.
Another reason for its suitability in space is because it is a complex carbohydrate. Without getting too technical this means that all the goodness in the vitamins and minerals are released into your body and bloodstream slowly over time. So you do not have to eat so often and you do not get as hungry.
There are a number of reasons that make quinoa a good food for Astronauts. The first rather mundane one is that it stores easily. You do not need a fridge. You do not even need an airtight container for durations of up to a month. It is so easy to store and take out the amount you need when you need it. Because it is a complete protein it is much better than trying to eat meat or meat substitutes in space. It contains all 9 essential amino acids making it the only seed or grain that is a complete protein.
What Do Astronauts Eat Aboard the International Space Station?
FAQ
Is quinoa more environmentally friendly than rice?
Is quinoa good or bad for you?
Can you eat quinoa everyday?
Is quinoa a carb or protein?
Did astronauts eat a lot of food?
While Glenn and the other Mercury astronauts experienced no problems in chewing, drinking, swallowing, or digesting, the food was not considered very enjoyable. As our human spaceflight missions advanced in their complexity, so too did the food.
Can a person survive on quinoa alone?
Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contains adequate amounts of essential amino acids. They are also high in fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants. Even though Quinoa is packed full of nutrients, consuming quinoa only everyday will cause our body to be intolerant towards it. This is the same with other foods. The more regular and less diverse our diet, the more the body will identify the food as harmful to us. Therefore, it is important to eat diverse food groups so the body will get different nutrients and able to tolerate and digest them well.
Do astronauts eat tortillas?
Flour tortillas are a favorite bread item of shuttle astronauts. Tortillas provide an easy and acceptable solution to the breadcrumb and microgravity-handling problem and have been used since 1985. Beverages come in powdered form and include coffee, tea, apple cider, orange juice and lemonade.
What did astronauts eat during the Apollo program?
With improved packaging came improved food quality and menus. Gemini astronauts had such food choices as shrimp cocktail, chicken and vegetables, butterscotch pudding and applesauce. Astronauts were able to select meal combinations themselves. By the time of the Apollo Program, the quality and variety of food increased even further.