Over the last few years, hemp has become one of the most popular ingredients in a variety of self-care products, clothes, and, of course, foods. Regarding nutrition, on which we will concentrate in this article, hemp seeds are the most important part of a plant. They can be a great addition to your salads and smoothies, as hemp seeds are an alternative plant-based source of protein, or can be turned into milk and make your favorite coffee beverage not only energizing but also healthy.
Other than that, you can use hemp seed, which is oil rich in vitamin E and an antioxidant, as your cooking oil to support your immune system functioning and help your body reduce free radicals. What’s more, you can also find hemp-based supplements to reduce the risk of various diseases or try one of the recent hottest wellness products – hemp-derived CBD oil, proven to have anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties. Continue reading to further explore the benefits of introducing hemp into your diet.
Hemp Seeds for Nutrition
First, we will discuss hemp seeds as a nutrition source. Hemp seeds are often referred to as “the most nutritionally complete food source in the world” as they have a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are said to be essential nutrients that have to be consumed from external sources since our body cannot produce them on its own.
The fatty acid content of hemp seeds is actually not that high, but due to their high protein content, they are rich in essential amino acids, which are important for our body’s growth and repair. With regard to other minerals and vitamins, hemp seeds contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, and K, along with trace amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. These nutrients contribute to your overall health in many ways.
How to Incorporate Hemp Into Your Diet
Now that we have discussed the benefits of hemp seeds as a food source, let’s talk about how you can include them and other hemp-based products in your diet.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is usually extracted from hemp seeds or stalks of the plant, and you won’t feel any psychoactive effects when using it. What’s more, the oil is legal in most states and is available online – you can browse stores like Discount Pharms – wholesale hemp & Delta 8 products.
Just like with regular oils, hemp-derived CBD oils are easy to use. They are available in liquid form, as well as in tinctures, capsules and even topicals. One of the easiest ways to use hemp-derived CBD oil is to drop a couple of drops under your tongue. This way, the oil will be absorbed through your mucous membranes directly into your bloodstream. However, you can also add hemp-derived CBD oil to your food or drinks, or make it one of the leading ingredients in your salad dressings.
As for dosage, it depends on the type of product you choose. In general, you should start with a few drops of hemp-derived CBD oil per day and see how it affects you before increasing the dosage.
Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is a great alternative to dairy milk and can be used in a similar way. It is creamy and rich, with a slightly nutty taste, which makes it suitable for smoothies and desserts. As hemp seed milk is rich in protein and calcium, it can also be added to your cereal or yogurt. You can buy it at your local grocery store or make it at home using our hemp seed milk recipe.
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to milk, hemp milk fits right in as it does not contain any animal product. Moreover, the fact that hemp milk contains essential fatty acids is beneficial for your body because it reduces inflammation and improves your skin health.
Here’s how to make your own hemp milk:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 1/3 cup of hemp seeds
- 3 pitted dates
- 2 tbsp of almond butter
- 3/4 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp of salt
Directions: Place all the ingredients into a blender and mix until creamy. Serve chilled or warm. If you want to add some extra nutrition to your hemp milk, try adding cocoa powder or ground cinnamon. You can also add some extra flavor by grinding fresh ginger or turmeric.
Hemp Seeds Salads
Adding hemp seeds to your salads is an easy way to include them in your diet. Hemp seeds are a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help you decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, hemp seeds boost your immune system, which is why they are recommended for people with poor health.
Hemp seeds are also rich in protein and fiber. So, if you are looking for an alternative source of plant-based protein, hemp seeds can be a great addition to your daily salads.
Hemp Seeds Smoothies
Smoothies are an easy way to have a healthy breakfast or snack. You can easily add hemp seeds to your smoothie and turn it into a nutritious drink. The best thing about hemp seeds is that they don’t change the taste of your smoothie, so you won’t even notice them in there.
All you need to do is put one tablespoon of hemp seeds into your smoothie, blend it with ½ cup of coconut milk, ½ cup of frozen berries, 1 tbsp of flaxseeds, and 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and enjoy!
Final Word
Hemp seeds contain many nutrients, including essential fatty acids, which are important for your health. They can also be easily added to your diet in a raw form or as a supplement. In addition to that, hemp-derived CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties, which makes it a great option for people who suffer from anxiety or depression.
As you can see, there is a wide range of hemp-based products to choose from, so you will definitely find something to your liking, whether it’s in the form of oil, milk, blended, or just raw hemp seeds, and enrich your diet. Enjoy!