Health Benefits of Seeds

Seeds aren't just for the birds. Many people enjoy seeds as a snack because they are tasty, but have no idea how nutritious they truly are. Eating seeds is a good idea if you want to eat nutritionally dense foods that are relatively low in calories and taste good too.

The added benefit of seeds is that in addition to being nutritious, they can actually help prevent disease. Some seeds can help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and enhance the immune system.

Chia is the Mayan word for strength. Surprisingly tiny, chia seeds are high in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids. Due to its high antioxidant content, the seeds can be stored for a long time without losing taste or nutritional value.

An ounce of chia seeds has about 137 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 11 grams of fiber. Chia seeds help regulate blood sugar. Dips and spikes in blood sugar make for a chronic energy crisis, so if you’re often feeling tired, incorporate chia seeds into your diet.

The chia seed’s nutrition also includes protein, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, and magnesium, niacin, folic acid, and omega 3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds and weight loss seem fit like a hand in glove. They take on the taste of whatever you mix them with and their unique ability to ‘gel’ keeps you feeling full.

Sunflower seeds benefit us nutritionally in several ways. Research suggests that they are rich in phytochemicals that are cancer protective and heart disease protective. They also contain the phytochemicals choline, lignan, and betaine, as well as the amino acid arginine.

Sunflower seeds make a tasty snack but are sunflower seeds good for you? Absolutely! Sunflower seeds are chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. They also contain trace amounts of vitamin E, selenium, copper, folate, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

We’ve only discussed three kinds of seeds here. There are many more you can incorporate into your diet. Seeds are more than just a garnish or snack between meals. Their nutritional content shows that they are important members of the food pyramid that we need to stay healthy.

Easy ways to incorporate sunflower seeds into your diet are to let them replace croutons in salad, crush them and coat fish with them, or add them to a stir fry. Of course you can roast sunflower seeds and add a bit of salt, and most seeds make a welcome addition to trail mix.