For thousands of years and all over the world, seaweed has been included in many recipes, but have you tried it yet? If not, why should you? With over approximately 10,000 species of seaweed, many varieties have a reputation of being a nutrient-rich superfood.
Healthy Reasons To Eat Sea Vegetables
One of the most commonly recognized and consumed types of seaweed is nori (which is dried in sheets and you may have eaten when ordering sushi). Some other popular seaweed varieties include arame, dulse, kelp, spirulina, and wakame.
While content varies depending on the type you choose, these vegetables from under the sea have a unique ability to absorb concentrated amounts of iodine from the ocean. This makes seaweed a super source of iodine—an important mineral your thyroid uses in hormone production and helping with balance, so that it can do its job properly.
Seaweed can be a delicious way to take in omega-3 healthy fats, vitamins A, C, E and K, along with calcium, magnesium, folate, and zinc.
Since these slippery vegetables of the sea offer up a wide range of antioxidants, this may give your system beneficial support in protecting your body’s cells from damage.
While containing fiber and being low in calories and fat, seaweed might increase metabolism, help you feel full longer, delay hunger pains, and even aid in weight loss.
Seaweed - For More Than Just Sushi
Sea vegetables are a source of food for ocean life and we can see why when researching their impressive nutritional profile! Besides wrapping up a sushi roll, this vegetarian friendly algae can be easily added to a smoothie, included in soups and baked goods, or even eaten dried as a healthier snack alternative to chips.
So while you’re singing along with Sebastian and Ariel as you consider this “Under The Sea” delight—maybe they were onto something! After all, they did sing ”right here on the ocean floor, such wonderful things surround you”. Seaweed is definitely one of those wonderful things, full of healthy sea power!