Did you know that seeds has become the worlds most popular superfoods? Now lets know what superfoods are. These are mostly plant-based but also some fish and dairy — thought to be nutritionally dense and thus good for one's health. Seeds has become popular, do you want to know why?
Nutrient-dense seeds are finally starting to get the attention that they deserve. Packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber and lots of minerals and vitamins, the following seven super seeds are an ideal addition to your meals to ensure you’re eating a balanced diet.
1. Chia seeds
Chia seeds are one of nature’s most perfect superfoods. Yes, they get stuck in your teeth if eaten dry and can become quite slimy when soaked in liquid, but they have very little to no flavor, so if used in a recipe or as a topping, you’ll hardly notice that you’re eating them. Once you frequently start consuming chia seeds, you will quickly notice benefits such as increased energy and digestive regularity. Being an incredible source of fiber, a single ounce of chia seeds has nearly half of the daily recommended requirement of fiber.
2. Flax seeds
Although they are small, flax seeds must be ground so our bodies can digest the nutrients protected by their hard shells. Flax meal offers a nutty flavor and creates a smooth gel when mixed with liquid; hence, it makes a nice addition to baked goods especially if you’re looking for an inexpensive egg substitute.
3. Hemp seeds
These nutritious and healing seeds are starting to be a favorite among vegans and health fanatics, and are often added to smoothies, cereals, oatmeal, and on top of salads. Hemp seeds also can be blended with water to make a nice milk substitute, a nice option for people with nut and soy allergies, although the flavor of hemp milk is less sweet than raw almond milk or cow’s milk.
4. Pumpkin Seeds
You probably know them best from picking out the slimy insides of a pumpkin each Halloween. These flat slimy seeds dry out into a tasty snack whether you roast them or toast them. If you prefer a salty snack, boil them in salty water before you dry them. Smaller to medium size pumpkin seeds can be eaten with their shells when properly toasted, although the larger seeds are probably best to eat shelled. You can also grind them up into a meal to add to baked goods recipes.
5. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are a common addition to many Asian recipes and stir fries. They are so small, you typically won’t be eating them as a snack, but they are an essential ingredient to keep in your kitchen because they are incredibly rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. You can pretty much add them to any stir fry, inside or outside of sushi rolls, or sprinkle them toasted on a salad. A common Middle Eastern paste, tahini, is made from sesame seeds and is used to make hummus, baba ghanoush and halva.
6. Sunflower SeedsGrowing up, picking sunflower seeds right out of the sunflowers outside of our living room windows was one of my favorite activities on those slow summer days. At that time, I had no idea that sunflower seeds actually protect you from the sun, so they are a perfect summertime snack. About half a cup of sunflower seeds has more than 100% of the daily recommended requirement of vitamin E, which is packed with alpha-tocopherol, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body’s cells from UV damage.
7. Papaya Seeds
I won’t deny it. Papaya seeds are definitely not on the most-delicious list, but they are definitely packed with nutritious goodness. Offering a strong, peppery favor, papaya seeds are often discarded because most people find them difficult to eat. I agree – who wants a mouthful of peppercorns?!? But once you learn about the health benefits of this flavorful seed, you could easily become accustomed to the taste, especially since a spoonful in a morning smoothie often goes unnoticed. You can also dry them and grind them up to use instead of pepper in salad dressings and on other foods.
Learning to use these seeds in your cooking and baking will quickly transform your kitchen into a superfood pharmacy. Remember, it doesn’t take much to benefit from these amazing super seeds. Use a teaspoon here, a tablespoon there, and guide your body towards optimum health.
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