It seems like for years, kale has been the green super food that everyone has been obsessing over, but now it’s all about seaweed!
Why the switch in greens? While kale contains more antioxidants than any other vegetable, seaweed offers its own amazing health benefits including being the largest source of iodine. Most other foods greatly lack this vital nutrient and our bodies don’t produce it on our own so we must get it from the foods we eat. When our bodies don’t have enough iodine, it can lead to hypothyroidism, fatigue, declined mental health and even brain damage.
Iodine is essential to a healthy thyroid which leads to healthier skins, nails and hair. Not only that, but iodine leads to a healthier nervous system and optimal brain function. We can see why Western culture is wanting to include more of this algae into their diet! In fact, one of the things that the Japanese attribute to their longevity is eating seaweed.
You might be thinking, “Eww, but it’s slimy and gross.” If you’re not a huge fan of sushi or sheets of this dry, salty stuff, there are other ways you can incorporate it into your meals. You can blend some dry seaweed into a smoothie, salad dressing, dips, soups. Here are some fun ways to enjoy it!
Just like with all things, moderation is key here. Having too much seaweed can result in getting too much iodine can actually hurt your thyroid too. It’s a delicate balance! I personally love to incorporate this “sea vegetable” into salads and Asian noodle dishes that we make for our clients. They love how the seaweed does not overpower the other ingredients. Adding a lot of flavor (and not overdoing the salt) is a way to sort of mask the taste if you’re not crazy about it.
Want to learn more about seaweed and its health benefits? Here’s a great article!