The Power of Seeds: Nature’s Nutritional Powerhouse
They say good things come in small packages and that is certainly the case when it comes to seeds! They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, providing a whopping dose of vitamins, minerals, protein and healthy fats in every small serving. Incorporating seeds into your daily diet is an easy, convenient and reliable way to boost your intake of several essential nutrients. Read on to discover more.
Mother Nature Created Seeds to Be Nourishing
Seeds are by their very nature as nourishing as can be. They are crops at the very beginning of their life and so must contain a small but mighty package of all the nutrients needed to grow a happy and healthy plant.
This means that they are just about as nutrient-dense as any food on the planet – providing maximum nutrition in a tiny package that’s super easy to add to your diet. Being this nutrient-dense means that a little bit goes a long way, so it couldn’t be easier to top up your diet and reap the many nutritional benefits of seeds.
The Amazing Nutritional Benefits of Seeds
So, we’ve established that seeds are full of goodness – but what goodness exactly? Let’s take a look at the individual nutrients you’ll find in seeds which make them so good for you.
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High in Plant-Based Protein
Protein is the building block for making tissues, enzymes, hormones and other important chemicals in the body. For those following a plant-based diet, seeds are a great way to naturally boost your protein intake and help to meet requirements. If you’re vegan then getting enough dietary protein should be a priority, so having some seeds to hand is a great way to provide your body with the essential amino acids it needs to synthesise protein and plant-power your day.
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Rich Source of Dietary Fibre
Fibre is a kind of plant-based carbohydrate that is vital for gut health. Looking after your gut has been shown to have some amazing benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing, but it is estimated that around 40% of us don’t get enough dietary fibre to optimise gut health.
Seeds contain a high amount of fibre, up to 50% of your recommended daily intake in one portion. They are also easily added to meals which aren’t high in fibre to create a more balanced and nourishing dish.
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Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals
You’ll find a whole spectrum of healthful vitamins and minerals in all seeds. What’s more, because they’re in their natural packaging they are as bioavailable as possible. This means that they’re easy to absorb and utilise. In fact, there are so many vitamins and minerals in seeds that you could be better off ditching your multivitamin as long as you can commit to including seeds in your daily balanced diet.
Here’s just some of the wonderful micronutrients you’ll find in most seeds:
- B Vitamins – 1, 2 & 3
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Antioxidant Vitamins
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Zinc
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High in Healthy Fats
Seeds are high in heart-healthy fats such as Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also beneficial for eye, brain and reproductive health. These healthy fats are hard to come by in a plant-based diet, so it’s good to know that seeds are a great source.
As an added bonus, the natural fats found in seeds paired with the fat-soluble vitamins they contain make for a double dose of nutritional benefit – as the natural fat helps to absorb the vitamins for maximum absorption and benefit.
A Few Extra Reasons to Fall in Love with Seeds
As if that wasn’t enough to convince you of the ex-seedingly good benefits of seeds, here’s just a few more reasons why we can’t get enough!
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They’re Free from Allergens
Seeds provide a similar nutritional package as nuts, but without the associated allergens which can be problematic or even fatal for those with sensitivities or allergies.
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They’re A Sustainable Snack
Being 100% plant-based means that seeds are a planet-friendly snack, produced with minimal impact on the environment compared with animal-based foods.
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They’re Super Convenient
Being small but mighty not only packs amazing nutrition into a tiny package but it also means that your healthy snack is as light, portable and compact as possible.
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They’re Delicious and Nutritious
Let’s face it, a snack has to taste good as well as being amazing for you, right?! There’s so much to love about seeds, they have a delicious nutty flavour and provide tempting texture to any dish – as well as making your meals look more interesting!
Pep & Lekker snacks were created to make snacking on seeds and enjoyable, convenient and nutritious as possible. We use all-natural, real food ingredients to create delicious seedy snacks that are free from gluten, diary and the top 14 allergens. Our plant-based snacks come in a range of five delicious flavours that are as good for you as they taste! Learn more here.