Could the next "kale craze" come in the form of a tiny seed? We sure think so! The hemp seed packs quite the nutritional punch and can be incorporated into just about anything you can think of!
Read more to find out just some of the many benefits it has to offer. If you are contemplating improving your diet and overall health, you would be crazy not to choose hemp!
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are natures’ highest botanical source of essential fatty acids, containing all the essential amino acids. They also have a perfect 3:1 balance of omega-3 to omega-6. No other plant source has all these in such a digestible form. Hemp seeds can be eaten whole roasted, toasted, seasoned or salted! Perfect on top of salads or a hearty snack. They can also be processed into all the superfood products listed below!
Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is made from blended hemp seeds and water, super simple! You can even make it on your own. It is a nutritious dairy alternative and is easier for the body to digest. We suggest trying it in smoothies and shakes!
Hemp Hearts (Hemp Nut)
Hemp hearts are shelled, raw, hemp seeds. They are easily incorporated into any diet and contain about 33 percent protein and 9 percent omega-3 essential fatty acids. They are also an excellent source of iron and vitamin E. Try them on yogurt, sandwiches or wraps, mixed in hummus, on top of casseroles, and so much more! It’s easy to get creative with these tiny, tasty toppers.
Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is great for your heart and brain health! It supports healthy skin and nails, along with the immune system, without containing mercury like fish oils. It also provides an adequate supply of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, unlike many other omega alternatives. Try using hemp oil in salad dressings or a health supplement. It is, however, not good for high-temp cooking. You can also use it as a moisturizer! This is our go-to for a healthy glow.
Hemp Protein (Hemp Cake)
Hemp protein powder is a high quality source of protein. It is high in fiber and much easier to digest than animal proteins like whey. It contains a significant amount of edestin, which can be used by the body to build antibodies, enzymes, hormones and blood cells. The hemp seeds are milled leaving the shell, which is then processed and ground into fine protein powder. This is great for morning shakes or work out supplements. Try mixing it with hemp milk and hemp hearts too.
Hemp Flour
In order to break the cake apart into usable flour, it must be ground even finer. It’s too dense to be used alone as a baking flour, but when combined with other flours, it brings a nutty, rich flavor and adds lots of healthy nutrients. Adding hemp flour to wheat, barley, soy, or other flours in a ratio of one part hemp flour to four parts another flour deepens the texture, resulting in a heavier, chewier bread. A 3:1 ratio produces a hearty heavy loaf all the way to a 7:1 ratio, which produces basically a loaf of bread with hemp flecks in it. It is gluten-free, so hemp flour doesn’t rise on its own. Adding it to baked goods such as bread, muffins, waffles, and the like provides a nice serving of fiber, offers lots of omega essential fatty acids, and increases the digestible protein.
Want to support bringing hemp foods to the United States? Shop Victory Hemp Foods, a Kentucky-based food company working toward producing American grown and processed hemp foods!
www.victoryhempfoods.com
Sources
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hemp-flour.htm
* Hemp Builds Campaign by Kentucky Hempsters, Vote Hemp and Bringing it Home