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| Tuesday, July 13, 2010 |
| Pass the Seaweed! |
Last week I went on vacation to Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada is a town in the Florida Keys. It was beautiful. The ocean was gorgeous, the weather was perfect and the seafood was fantastic! The Florida Keys are known for their seafood. You can get great lobster, shrimp, conch, grouper and more. I tried all of the wonderful fish on my vacation. I also tried a dish that I had never had before; seaweed salad. It may not sound tasty, but it was delicious.
Being a dietitian, I know of the health benefits of seaweed. However, it never really appealed to me. When I saw it on the menu last week, I decided I would go for it. The Japanese have been eating seaweed for years and touting its health benefits. How bad could it be? After one small bite, I was pleasantly surprised. The seaweed had a taste like leafy green vegetables but with a little salty flavor. The restaurant put on a very light vinaigrette dressing which made the salad even better. I even got my husband to try it. He liked it too. So the taste was great and it has great health benefits. It is even considered a super food in some parts of the world. If you have never tried seaweed, here are some great reasons to give it a try:
- Seaweed is a great source of iodine and vitamin K, a very good source of the B-vitamin folate and magnesium, and a good source of iron, calcium and the B-vitamins riboflavin and pantothenic acid. That is a lot of nutrition in one little vegetable!
- Seaweed contains phytonutrients called lignans that have been found to slow the growth of cancerous tumors.
- A study done at UC Berkeley showed that adding kelp to a diet can help lower estradiol levels; a hormone that is linked to breast cancer in women.
- Seaweed is low in calories and fat while still having a great taste. It can be a great addition to your diet if you are watching your weight…and who isn’t!?
- Some forms of seaweed have been shown to be unique sources of carbohydrate-like substances called fucans, which can reduce the body's inflammatory response. Inflammation in the body has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
- Seaweed can add variety to your diet.
There are literally thousands of types of seaweed or sea vegetables. They are classified by color such as brown, red or green. Nori may be the most well known seaweed in the United States since it is used in sushi rolls. However, there are many different kinds that can be used for salads, soups and seasoning. To find the perfect seaweed for your needs just do a quick search for seaweed recipes on the internet. You will find recipes for seaweed salad, seaweed as a spice, seaweed soups, etc.
Although seaweed has many health benefits and tastes great, too much may not be a good thing. With many or our waters becoming more polluted, seaweed ends up absorbing chemicals from the water. Heavy metals such as arsenic and lead have been found in small amounts in some seaweeds. If you find yourself wanting to eat seaweed more than once or twice per week, look for certified organic seaweed which will not contain heavy metals.
Grab some seaweed and give it a try!
- Jennifer
If you like this article, you might also enjoy…
Sensei Talks: Green Foods for Weight Loss
Sensei Talks: New Vegetable of the Week: Parsley Root
Labels: Health, healthy tips, Jennifer
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posted by My Sensei @ Tuesday, July 13, 2010   |
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