I’m going to start a new YumUniverse series this year in an effort to introduce YU to new (or not-so-new) nutrient-dense foods. Once a month, I will choose a particular food, and at least once a week I will share a recipe using that food. That way, you will be able to experiment all month-long. You’ll be able to see how versatile that ingredient is, feel the benefits of that food by month’s end, and if you have to purchase a larger amount of that ingredient, it won’t sit lonely in your pantry or fridge after being used in only one recipe.
I’d like to kick off this series with a particular food that used to scare me, and I imagine it will some of YU, too. Rest assured though, that I have come up with recipes that make this particular food something that you’ll end up craving. And if you have a particular recipe using this food, share with us. We may just post/link to your recipe!
Sea Vegetables a.k.a Seaweed are among the most nutritionally dense foods in the world. Coastal civilizations have made sea veggies a staple of their diet for years, and some archeological evidence shows that Japanese cultures were eating sea vegetables for more than 10,000 years.
Sea veggies are incredibly rich in calcium (containing about 10 times the calcium in cow’s milk), they contain more iron than red meat, they are a complete protein source and they are a good source of vitamin B12. Ironman triathlete and best-selling author Brendan Brazier explains, “sea vegetables are easily digestible, chlorophyll-rich and alkaline-forming. Packed with minerals, sea vegetables are the richest source of naturally occurring electrolytes known. Electrolytes allow our cells to stay hydrated longer, thereby improving endurance which is of particular significance for active people.”
Here are a few of the benefits…
Sea veggies:
Provide powerful nutrients that improve and assist the immune system
Are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and many other phytochemicals
Contain outstanding medicinal properties and anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial components
Contain cancer-fighting ingredients
Help support weight reduction by managing the metabolism
Naturally supercharge levels of energy
Inhibit uptake of radioactive elements and heavy metals and help to eradicate harmful toxins from your body
Promote healthy skin and hair
Promote breast health in women
Support prostate health in men
May help maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Promote and benefit heart wellness and function
Present support and protection to the thyroid due to natural iodine
May help to maintain existing healthy cholesterol levels
Promote a healthy digestive system
There are many types of sea vegetables ranging from strong sea flavor to very mild, and this month, I’ll be sharing recipes for a variety of flavors. If you are feeling inspired, experiment with kelp, irish moss, hijiki, nori, dulse, alaria, agar agar, arame, kombu and wakame. Look for sea veggies at your local Asian market, health food or grocery store.
It’s important to note that sea vegetables are known for their ability to absorb minerals from the water. Often, these are healthy minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and iodine. However, when sea vegetables are located in polluted waters, they may also absorb heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. So, whenever you can, it’s best to purchase organic sea vegetables.
Try some of these YumUniverse recipes that already use seaweed:
Gluten-Free, Dairy Free Vegetable Lasagna
Brendan Brazier’s Lemon Lime Workout Recovery Drink
When cooking grains, legumes or seeds, put a piece of kombu in the cooking water. It will not only expedite the cooking process, but will improve the digestibility, without adding any sea flavor to your dish. I keep a pack of kombu in my pantry at all times.
What are some of your favorite recipes that use Sea Veggies?
References:
THRIVE Fitness, THRIVE Foods and THRIVE Vegan Nutrition Guide, DeCapo Press, author Brendan Brazier
The World’s Healthiest Foods
Comment Rules: We´re pretty confident that everyone who visits YumUniverse is cool. So let´s be just that — cool. Critical is fine, but let´s make it constructive, friends. If you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your personal name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. You have to option to link your name to your site, so, have fun and thanks for adding to the YumUniverse!
Subscribe to followup comments via RSS | Trackback URL