Herbs and Spices - Dried Seaweed
Dried Seaweed
Seaweed, or algae, belongs to a group of plant-like organisms that grow in the sea. Some algae are one-celled organisms such as microalgae, which means that they are more like bacteria that also generate energy through photosynthesis.Most of the seaweed that we consume as food have many cells. Seaweed is part of a healthy diet and is used in herbal medicines in many traditional cultures.
Benefits:
1. Help control your appetite: Seaweed is low in fat but packed with soluble fiber, which helps control blood sugar levels and keeps your bowels moving. The fiber can help you feel full on very few calories.
2. Great source of vitamins : Seaweed is a great source of vitamins A, C, E, K and B vitamins.
3. Great source of minerals: It's also rich in minerals, including iodine, selenium, calcium and iron. Seaweed is much more nutrient dense than any land vegetables. It is an excellent source of micronutrients including folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and selenium. More importantly, seaweed is a great source of iodine.
4. Great source of protein: Seaweed contains amino acids
5. DHA & EPA: DHA and EPA omega 3 fatty acid:Unlike land plants, seaweed contains preformed omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, so seaweed or algae oil can be a reliable source of omega-3 for vegetarians.
6. Aid with digestion: Beans can cause gas and stomach upset for many people. This can be easily fixed by adding kombu, a particular kind of seaweed, to the beans when cooking.
7. Antioxidant: Seaweed contains many antioxidants. As part of a healthy diet, seaweed can help protect against oxidative stresses and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and digestive problems.
Serving way:
• Snacking out of a bag – Nori and dulse can just be eaten out of a bag. You will want to check the labels and watch out for some brands of snacking nori that contain a lot of MSG though. Seasnax is a good brand for this that uses seaweed from Korea and clean ingredients.
• Salads – Most types of seaweed can be made into a Japanese-style salad with vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Try this recipe.
• Soups – Seaweed tastes delicious in bone broth, which makes it seaweed soup.
• Sprinkled on other foods – Seaweed flakes can be sprinkled on salads, rice, soups, or any other dishes.