Plants have a perfectly designed approach to ensure the survival of their species. Each flower or fruit produced by the plant is full of seeds. Some seeds are microscopic, like the orchid seed, so small they look like dust. Others are gigantic, like the seed palm of a native Seychelles that can grow up to twelve inches long and weigh up to forty pounds.
Despite their differences in size, all these seeds have something in common; they are full of nutrition. Nature has no idea what type of soil or nutrients will be externally available. To give each seed the best fighting chance when conditions are favorable for germination, the plant fills it with a variety of essential nutrients that can sustain the young shoot until its roots are able to extract nutrients from the soil.
A wide variety of these seeds are edible, adding nutrition, flavors, and new textures to our regular diets. They can also be excellent substitutes for products that are a source of allergies, such as some nuts, and those that are much less nutritious, such as wheat crackers. Add a few seeds to your diet every day or as a snack, and you’ll get valuable vitamins, minerals, protein, and essential fatty acids into your diet. Choose raw natural seeds to get the best return on your investment. Roasting breaks down many essential nutrients and can even produce substances that are toxic to your system. This also goes for seeds that are coated in sugar, no matter how tempting those chocolate-coated sunflower seeds might be.
Many of these seeds can be added to a salad to add texture and nutrition, others can be used to make a seed butter, similar to almond butter, and eaten as a nutrient-packed snack between meals. You can also find a recipe for a multi-seed cracker that is easy to make and a highly nutritious replacement for wheat crackers. Add seeds to yogurt smoothies and hot oatmeal breakfasts for a energized start to the day. All of these seeds are also excellent sources of fiber, which is often lacking in modern diets. Adding a variety of seeds to your regular diet can improve the health of your brain and immune system and help protect you from diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Some commonly available seeds are worth noting. The first of these is the tiny chia seed. The chia seed is no longer the butt of jokes for its Chia Pet fame. This little seed is loaded with protein, antioxidants, iron, calcium, vitamin C, and omega-3 oil. Next comes the hemp seed, which may be the richest source of fatty acids available of essentially any known food substance, including fish. The fatty acids in hemp seeds are provided in a form that is readily available to the body and similar to the form found in the body itself. It also includes all nine essential amino acids required by our bodies for optimal health.
Flaxseeds are often used in weight loss diet plans to improve digestion by adding fiber and suppressing appetite. The fatty acids in flaxseed are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Pumpkin seeds are gaining popularity because they produce alkaline rather than acidic material in your body. Pumpkin seeds also provide a large amount of protein and vitamin B complex nutrients. Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps maintain a balanced mood.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that supports healthy cells. Sunflower seeds also provide magnesium and are believed to help lower cholesterol. Finally, sesame seeds are mineral powerhouses, loaded with manganese, copper, calcium, zinc, iron, and phosphorous. They also provide vitamin B1 and are believed to have positive cholesterol-lowering effects.
The list of edible seeds is quite long, and the flavors and textures are just as varied. Find them at your local grocery store and have fun adding them to your favorite dishes and replacing some of your snacks with these highly nutritious options. Take some with you when you travel, and nutritious food options seem to be hard to find.