For those on vegan or even a vegetarian diet it’s not always easy to get a variety of good sources of healthy fats (yes, there is such a thing!). A great alternative to fish-sourced omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and soy, is hemp, which has amazing nutritional value. Shelled hempseed have 33% pure digestible protein and are rich iron and vitamin E sources. They’ve also got a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (essential for cardiovascular health, these fatty acids can also help prevent diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, while helping with brain function, infant development, and immune function). More than 90% of Americans don’t get enough of one or both of these essential acids so make sure you and your loved ones’ kitchens are properly stocked! Aside from hempseeds, you can also get these healthy fatty acids via flax, walnuts, and deep-water fish.
Nutiva is an awesome organic brand that’s stocks a variety of hemp-based products. You can snack on hempseeds (they taste great toasted over a salad – think of them as a pine nut alternative), or you can opt for an oil and incorporate it into your food that way. Nutiva also has a variety of spreads, bars, and shake mixes which you can check-out here!
Have you ever tried noshing on hemp before?
Hempseeds and hemp oils are great ways of using the multipurpose plant. I’ve been hearing about hemp protein powder as well. It’s supposed to be a good nutritional form of protein.