Sea vegetables are versatile, flavor-rich and nutrient-packed. If you’re trying to up your intake of leafy plants, you might want to look to the ocean.
Sea vegetables like seaweed and other edible aquatic plants like nori , kombu, dulse and sea moss are touted as a sustainable source of protein and nutrition. And they have a unique umami flavor you won’t find from most plants grown on land. Best of all, they’re easy to incorporate into meals like salads, soups, grain bowls and even dips.
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Here’s the breakdown on the potential benefits and risks of sea veggies, the different types to know and tips on how and where to buy them. Are Sea Vegetables Like Seaweed Healthy?
Like leafy greens that grow on land, seaweed is generally good for you , as sea vegetables are packed with nutrients but contain relatively few calories.
"They’re a good addition to any diet. Adding in a bit of seaweed is a great way to get a ton of nutrition in a small package," says Ana Reisdorf, RD , a registered dietitian and founder of The Food Trends .
Here are some of the reasons why: High in vitamins and minerals. Sea vegetables can serve up a dose of vitamins A, B12, C and D, along with minerals like iron and iodine, per a March 2019 Nutrition Reviews article. That makes them a top-notch choice for supporting thyroid health, bone health and overall wellness, says Gillean Barkyoumb, RDN , a registered dietitian with Plexus Worldwide.
Gut health-friendly. You’ll find a few grams of fiber in each helping of sea vegetables, Barkyoumb notes. That’s good for your microbiome, because fiber helps feed the "good" bacteria in your gut, per the Cleveland Clinic .
Rich in antioxidants. Seaweed has polyphenol compounds aplenty , which may have cancer-fighting, cholesterol-lowering and blood sugar-regulating effects, per the Nutrition Reviews article. Health Risks to Consider While seaweed comes with a lot of nutritional pros, there are a few cons you’ll want to know about.First, seaweed is very high in iodine […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Seaweed, Sea Moss and Other Sea Vegetables
