My mother was a native New Yorker. And New Yorkers love their bagels. So I ate lots of sesame and poppy seed bagels with a cream cheese schmear growing up. I also gave seeds to my bird as a snack. But that was the end of my seed relationship. Little did i know how I was missing out.
Now that I’m older, I try to include seeds daily in my diet. Many contain vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. They’re disease fighters, and are helpful for balancing hormones. They’re just power packed little dynamos. So I want to spend some time today talking about some of my favorite seeds, And why you should include them in your diet pronto.
Flax Seeds
Did you know that flax seeds can also be a source of health promoting fatty acids? You’ve probably heard of heart healthy omega-3s in fish oil. Well flax contains alpha-linolenic acid which has the potential to be converted in your body to these all-important omega-3s.
Flax is also good for your hormones due to its lignans. These lignans posses “good estrogens” which can take the place of “bad estrogens” and prevent diseases like breast and prostate cancer. They can also be good for those suffering from PMS.
Flax seeds are a good source of fiber. And they’ve touted to help with things ranging from lowering bad cholesterol to improving blood pressure. They’re definitely something to include as part of a healthy diet.
Pumpkin Seeds
Here’s another seed that’s good for cancer prevention. Studies show that diets that contain good amounts of pumpkin seeds can be preventative against the likes of colon and lung cancer. Give credit to their health promoting lignans for this one.
Additionally, pumpkin seeds may be able to help you get some needed Zzzzs. First, they contain magnesium. And magnesium is very calming to the body. Second, they contain both tryptophan and zinc which work together to create serotonin. Which also helps with sleep!
Plus they’re full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. They can be good for the heart and may even help balance blood sugar levels. Plus they’re fun to eat. So they’re worth bringing into the diet starting today!
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds can help you feel full because they’re high in protein and fiber. In fact, most of the carbohydrate is chia seeds is fiber. And given that they’re so filling, they can be an excellent part of a weight loss diet.
Want to know another amazing fact about them? They can help you stay hydrated. These little powerhouses will absorb more than 10 times their weight in water. So endurance athletes consume them to stay hydrated during long events. And people eat them in the heat of summer to prevent dehydration.
Additionally, chia seeds are high in alpha-linolenic acids (omega-3s). They’re packed full of vitamins and minerals. And they’re overflowing with antioxidants. Stock up on these little guys today!
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds play a role in a hormone happy body. They’re high in GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid), which is a fatty acid found in Evening Primrose Oil, a supplement women use to alleviate PMS symptoms. And GLA is great for manufacturing prostaglandins, which lead to better hormone balance.
These GLAs can also be helpful in the treatment of many other diseases and disorders. For instance, they can help alleviate inflammation and joint pain. Which can provide relief from those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. And they can be part of cancer prevention and treatment due to their anti-inflammatory nature.
Finally, hemp can be great for the heart. It can potentially lower bad cholesterol, improve good cholesterol, and is just generally heart healthy. So grab a handful of these guys today!
Sesame Seeds
So I mentioned my childhood love for sesame seeds on bagels. But there’s plenty of reason to enjoy them on their own. Sesame seeds are actually able to offer some protection against radiation due to their compound called sesamol. What a relief since most of us are exposed to radiation daily.
They’re also good for the heart. Sesame can potentially help lower blood pressure and help lower bad cholesterol with its high levels of phytosterols. Plus they’re packed with heart healthy antioxidants. And they can even be healing for those with diabetes.
Sesame is great for hormone balance via sesamin. Sesamin is a lignan, similar to that found in flax seeds. If you’re suffering from PMS, and other hormonal disorders, sesame is your friend.
Sunflower Seeds
Get this! Sunflower seeds should be a part of any cancer preventative lifestyle. Some studies have shown sunflower seed to have a chemopreventive compound that can inhibit or stall early tumor growth and repair damage to DNA.
Sunflower seeds can also be amazing for your mental health. They contain lots of tryptophan which can help with the production of mood boosting seratonin. And they’re packed with magnesium to help you relax.
Finally, the’re heart healthy too. They’re naturally high in phytosterols. So they’re amazing for helping lower bad cholesterol.
Now I know. Seeds aren’t just for bagels or birds. They’re for kicking butt in the health department. So stock up and start enjoying them as a part of your healthy lifestyle!
I LOVE SEEDS! I think the only one on this list I have yet to try in hemp seed, putting it on my shopping list!
Definitely give hemp seeds a try.
Thank you for the information. Once the snow here stops, my family is joining a gym. I’ve been searching for healthier foods, so this post came at the perfect time. I’ve tried chia seed pudding. Not my thing, but I’ll definitely look into other ways to incorporate seeds into our diets.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of chia seed pudding either.
I’m currently obsessed with chia seeds for the fibre content and we are now on a bit of a hemp seed kick in my house. My current fave is peanut butter on flaxseed bread with hemp seeds sprinkled on top!
I’ve never had peanut butter with flax seeds. Yum!
I try and include these seeds in my diet.
Good informative post.
Glad you like seeds too!
I love this! I am always reminded when I read posts like this that I should get some of these seeds to put into my daily smoothies, but then I always forget! Thanks for the reminder!!
Hope you remember this time!
The best way to get these seeds into your system is by following the seed cycling regime and grind them for better absorption especially the flaxseeds. This post is so true about those seeds.
Thank you Jackie for stopping by and for your input about seeds!