Why You Need To Have Sea Weed In Your Diet!

Yes, sea weed is the new healthy trend, considering it's super healthy and has been for years and no one has ever known about it until recently! Here are the reasons why it's so good, who actually eats this stuff and how you can include it in your diet. #seaweed #seaweeddiet #seaweedbenefits #healthyfood #healthyrecipes

Disclaimer: I am talking about food, losing weight, and the word diet is used frequently if this triggers anyone *** 0808 801 0677 or help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

I have always loved seaweed since I started being vegan, when I researched meals I could create an alternative for, seaweed came up A LOT and so I immediately got on the case. I started trying different types of things with seaweed in, liked some, hated others but I'm still shocked as to why its such a "trend" now.

I guess it's a lot to do with beauty secrets of some famous people, but it really does have it's good benefits!

So, who's onto this trend then?

Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice). I can imagine David and all her kids include it in their diets too. A lot of headlines from press state Victoria included seaweed in her weight loss journey for modelling.

Jamie Oliver. He even has a story about how he lost 12kgs and included in his diet is seaweed. Seen as he's a chef, perhaps look in that dusty cook book of his your bought but haven't looked in, there could already be a seaweed recipe in there for you to try!

Angelina Jolie. She has stated she includes seaweed in her diet to stay slim and it as always helped during filming.

Kim Kardashian. Whether you like her or not, she does stay pretty healthy and she says alongside workouts, it is really good for her body.

Footballer's like Ronaldo and Messi have shared it is included in their diets and I mean it's self explanatory why.

The facts and benefits

So seaweed grows in or near salty water and there's different types such as; Nori, Kelp, Wakame, Kombu, Dulse, blue/green algae (spirulina and chlorella)

Now there is a possibility you can eat too much seaweed and some people should avoid it, so just check if it is something you should avoid due to any health reasons before testing out any recipes.

1. Highly Nutritious - Each different seaweed contains different nutritional values however a study has shown seaweed in general a good supply of: protein, carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Seaweed also contains many different nutrients such as: vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron and iodine.

2. Helps with Thyroid function- The thyroid gland is the thing that controls the release of your hormones which is important for growth, energy production and cellular repair. The Thyroid needs iodine to function correctly.

3. It can help with Diabetes- Fibre-rich foods help with diabetes, this is because high amounts of fibre helps regulate blood sugar levels and insulin levels.

4. It supports gut health- This is important especially for women, things such as algae tend to contain a high amount of fibre which algae will take up 26-64% of the algae's dry weight.

5. It helps with weight loss - As stated before, a lot of celebrities include seaweed in their diets for weight loss reasons. Seaweed is full of fibre which helps you feel full for longer and reduces snacking.

6. Finally, it protects the heart - high-fibre foods such as algae reduce cholesterol levels by up to 18%.

Seaweed meals to try!

Sushi bowl. Cook rice with any of your favourite veg; carrot, peppers, avocado, cucumber etc. Add into separate parts of your bowl and then find yourself some nori sheets. Cut them up into little squares, you and your family or friends can have fun making your own mini sushi rolls and using chop sticks!

Homemade Miso soup. You'll need some wakame seaweed, fresh tofu cut into cubes, white miso paste, red miso paste and spring onion to serve. This is traditional, however you can take it any way you like.

You could try a fish/shrimp burger with wakame slaw. You will need all your things for a regular burger however your burger layer (from bottom to top is different): bottom bun, cheese (melted), fish/shrimp burger, wakame and sesame seeds

Veggie Jim. This has a weird same and it's nothing of what you think! All these are is pumpkin and sunflower seeds wrapped in nori sheets, these are a light snack and easy to make.

Korean rolled omelette with seaweed. This is new to me but a breakfast omelette in the style like a bento box with seaweed in the middle gives your breakfast some crunch, (maybe I should try this)

Zesty seaweed chips. This is the snack that celebrities love, seaweed chips brushed in sesame oil and lightly toasted seems delicious!

My personal favourites are simple cucumber sushi rolls, but I do love a good kaiso salad from Yo!Sushi. Thank you so much for reading guys and I hope you can get on your healthy path easy with this help!

Until next time

Phoebe Xoxo