Lately I have read about some concerns that some people are having, when it comes to eating seeds. OK, let me make my view on seeds clear, seeds are wonderful, they are life itself! My take on seeds is simple, just eat more! The truth is that there are SO many good reasons why you should be eating more seeds that I hardly know where to start.
I have read and I do understand that some people really are concerned; some seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide and all seeds pack tons of calories in their tiny shells so weight gain could be a concern. But rest assured that the cyanide levels are so small that, to be in danger you would have to consume so much more in a single sitting than any of us could possible eat – so no real problem there.
As far as weight gain goes, you just need to watch what you eat, understand that there may be somewhat higher calories than you are used to, and take that into account. Increase your seed intake gradually as you add a bit more activity to go along with the seed increase. That increased activity could be listed as the eleventh great reason to eat more seeds but I kept the list to just ten reasons, enjoy!
I have read and I do understand that some people really are concerned; some seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide and all seeds pack tons of calories in their tiny shells so weight gain could be a concern. But rest assured that the cyanide levels are so small that, to be in danger you would have to consume so much more in a single sitting than any of us could possible eat – so no real problem there.
As far as weight gain goes, you just need to watch what you eat, understand that there may be somewhat higher calories than you are used to, and take that into account. Increase your seed intake gradually as you add a bit more activity to go along with the seed increase. That increased activity could be listed as the eleventh great reason to eat more seeds but I kept the list to just ten reasons, enjoy!
Here are 10 great reasons why you should be eating more seeds:
1. Good Source of protein - Think about protein being a bit like building blocks – it is what you are made of. It’s needed to help you grow muscle mass and maintain normal bones. Best sources of seed protein? Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, linseeds, sesame seeds, rape seeds and apricot kernels, and hemp seeds!
2. High in Fiber – High levels of fiber is a really important part of a healthy diet and the fact is that most people do not eat enough of it – not nearly! Did you know, you can only get fiber from plant-based foods and that seeds are a great natural source of this. I suggest sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, rapeseeds, linseeds, and apricot kernels. Pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds are a source of fiber.
3. Beauty maintenance - The mineral zinc plays a role in maintaining normal skin, hair and nails and guess what? You would have to work really hard to find a food that is a better source of zinc than pumpkin seeds. Other seeds are great too, such as hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, rapeseeds and sesame seeds.
4. Brain Health & Performance - There are loads of phytonutrient and common nutrients that are important for the brain and nervous system. Many of the B vitamins play a role, but I really want to single out the genuine superstar, vitamin B5, which is also known as pantothenic acid. This key nutrient contributes to normal mental performance – so for the brain it’s simple, eat seeds, especially sesame seeds!
5. Bone Health & Maintenance - We all know that calcium is important for bone health but that’s only a small part of the picture. There are a host of other nutrients that contribute to the maintenance of normal bones such as phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese. Which all happen to be nutrients found in abundance in seeds. Some of the seeds which are highest in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese are sesame seeds, rapeseed and hemp seeds.
6. Energy Production - When we are talking about energy we are back to the B’s again. Vitamin B3, which is also known as niacin, supports the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. So if you are flagging and feeling a bit snoozy think about boosting your B’s, and some of the best are those that you have seen before; hemp seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and linseeds!
7. Immune System Support - We need our immune systems to be tip top to help us fight off all those coughs and sneezes that surround us every day. Vitamin B6, folate, iron and zinc are some of the nutrients and minerals that help to keep our immune systems working normally. So you will want to reach for sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, linseeds and rapeseeds again!
8. Heart Health & Function - Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. It beats more than 2.5 billion times during an average lifetime. You can support your heart with vitamin B1, which is also known as thiamin, a nutrient that contributes to the normal function of the heart and is found in wonderful concentrations in sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds.
9. Cell Protection - There are certain nutrients that according to the scientists protect cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. Let’s face it nobody likes to be stressed and I am sure that your cells don’t like it either! Vitamin E and the mineral zinc play a role in protecting cells from this type of stress. Eating seeds can help too, try Sunflower seeds, rapeseeds and sesame seeds.
10. Vision Support & Eye Health - We have all heard that carrots can help you see in the dark. But did you know that some seeds could play an even better role in helping you to see? It’s because they contain high levels of vitamin B2, which is also known as riboflavin, and zinc which both support normal vision and general eye health. Again you will want to eat pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
2. High in Fiber – High levels of fiber is a really important part of a healthy diet and the fact is that most people do not eat enough of it – not nearly! Did you know, you can only get fiber from plant-based foods and that seeds are a great natural source of this. I suggest sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, rapeseeds, linseeds, and apricot kernels. Pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds are a source of fiber.
3. Beauty maintenance - The mineral zinc plays a role in maintaining normal skin, hair and nails and guess what? You would have to work really hard to find a food that is a better source of zinc than pumpkin seeds. Other seeds are great too, such as hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, rapeseeds and sesame seeds.
4. Brain Health & Performance - There are loads of phytonutrient and common nutrients that are important for the brain and nervous system. Many of the B vitamins play a role, but I really want to single out the genuine superstar, vitamin B5, which is also known as pantothenic acid. This key nutrient contributes to normal mental performance – so for the brain it’s simple, eat seeds, especially sesame seeds!
5. Bone Health & Maintenance - We all know that calcium is important for bone health but that’s only a small part of the picture. There are a host of other nutrients that contribute to the maintenance of normal bones such as phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese. Which all happen to be nutrients found in abundance in seeds. Some of the seeds which are highest in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese are sesame seeds, rapeseed and hemp seeds.
6. Energy Production - When we are talking about energy we are back to the B’s again. Vitamin B3, which is also known as niacin, supports the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. So if you are flagging and feeling a bit snoozy think about boosting your B’s, and some of the best are those that you have seen before; hemp seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and linseeds!
7. Immune System Support - We need our immune systems to be tip top to help us fight off all those coughs and sneezes that surround us every day. Vitamin B6, folate, iron and zinc are some of the nutrients and minerals that help to keep our immune systems working normally. So you will want to reach for sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, linseeds and rapeseeds again!
8. Heart Health & Function - Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. It beats more than 2.5 billion times during an average lifetime. You can support your heart with vitamin B1, which is also known as thiamin, a nutrient that contributes to the normal function of the heart and is found in wonderful concentrations in sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds.
9. Cell Protection - There are certain nutrients that according to the scientists protect cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. Let’s face it nobody likes to be stressed and I am sure that your cells don’t like it either! Vitamin E and the mineral zinc play a role in protecting cells from this type of stress. Eating seeds can help too, try Sunflower seeds, rapeseeds and sesame seeds.
10. Vision Support & Eye Health - We have all heard that carrots can help you see in the dark. But did you know that some seeds could play an even better role in helping you to see? It’s because they contain high levels of vitamin B2, which is also known as riboflavin, and zinc which both support normal vision and general eye health. Again you will want to eat pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
So, I hope that you can see that seeds are simply amazing little powerhouses of goodness and as all of the above suggests, we should be eating a variety of seeds every day to reap the rewards that they freely offer.
Happy Gardening!!
Happy Gardening!!
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