Hemp is becoming a hot topic as more products hit the market. Many say this fantastic plant is good for the planet; others say it’s essential to a vegan diet. One main common reason for not being vegan is that it needs more nutrition. Of course, this is the same excuse omnivores have given for decades. Many need to realize that hemp is one of the oldest plants humans have cultivated. Most importantly, the seeds of the cannabis Sativa L. plant are an excellent addition to vegan and vegetarian diets.
Hemp Seeds as a Food Source for Vegans
Before going too far with this, let’s start by saying these seeds (the edible part of the hemp plants) contain high concentrations of fiber, protein, and many other essential nutrients your body needs. Moreover, despite being a member of the cannabis family, hemp seeds contain virtually no THC (the psychoactive found in marijuana).
Complete Source of Amino Acids
This form of cannabis, Sativa L., is good for you in many ways, especially for those on a vegan diet. While many seeds contain some amino acids your body needs, more is needed. Hemp seeds are the only seeds that are a complete source of proteins.
Your body must have these proteins for it to function correctly. These amino acids help build and repair cells and regulate the neurotransmitters in the brain and nervous system.
Excellent Source of Lean Proteins
One of the reasons cannabis Sativa L. is good for you is that while it does contain some fats, they are of the unsaturated type. The seeds are cold-pressed, which helps remove some of these fats but leaves the protein behind. Lean proteins are suitable for your digestive system and help keep a lean, healthy body mass.
A Natural Metabolism Booster
The hemp seeds’ amino acid and protein content can help boost your metabolism. As your body processes these proteins, it takes more energy. Your body gets extra energy by increasing the rate at which it burns calories. A boost in your metabolism can help with weight loss and control.
Hemp Seeds Are Packed Full of Essential Nutrients
You get most of the vitamins and nutrients from the foods you eat on a vegan diet. However, it may not be enough, which is another reason hemp is good for you. The seeds contain high levels of iron, magnesium, zinc, several B vitamins, and more. You could get these from protein supplements and powders. But why would you want to do that when you can get everything you need from a natural source?
No matter what you eat, your body must be able to process it. This is one of the biggest reasons seeds suit vegans and vegetarians. Your body can quickly process the nutrients from Cannabis Sativa L. seeds than those in some vegan foods.
How Do You Use Hemp Seeds?
These seeds have a mild nutty flavor making them a versatile ingredient used in many ways.
Baked Goods
Add the seeds to your favorite baked goods such as cookies, granola bars, muffins, bread, and more.
Salad Toppings
Take a tablespoon of seeds and sprinkle them on your salad. They add flavor and bring a ton of nutrients to the table. Blend them into homemade hemp seed salad dressings to make them richer and creamier.
Smoothies
Adding cannabis Sativa L. seeds to your favorite smoothies packs them full of nutrients. They also give them a significant protein boost. When blended in, the seeds add a nice creamy texture, or sprinkle them on top for a tasty crunch.
How Does This Make Hemp Seeds Good for the Planet?
Hemp plants produce seeds that are an excellent addition to a vegan diet, even more importantly, and are also suitable for the planet. Because cannabis Sativa L. consumes more CO2 from the air than trees, it can help clean the air and heal our world. These plants also remove toxins from the soil as it grows, pulling more nutrients deep down.
Growing these plants takes far less water than most other crops and requires no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Furthermore, this crop only takes four months to go from seed to harvest. Most other crops, such as cotton, take up to six months to reach maturity. During this time, the soil they grow in becomes contaminated with toxic chemicals. Before the farmer can plant another crop, he must work to remediate the soil by adding more chemicals.
From the moment the farmer plants his field until the moment you add the seeds to your favorite foods, you are doing your part to save the planet. Consequently, you are adding seeds to your diet that are healthy for you in so many ways. How can you go wrong with that?