The Goodness of Hemp Seed

I recently bought some hemp seed & to my delight find it a most delicious accompaniment to many dishes; I try to incorporate these little gems into various recipes, substituting for other nuts and seeds. Hemp is high in nutrients such as complete protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, is high in omega 3 and 6 in the right ratio, with small amount of GLA the anti- inflammatory omega 6. It is creamy and delicious and provides complete protein. The cost is about the same as almonds and less expensive than truly raw cashews and macadamia nuts.I find that hemp can replace cashews or macadamias in some recipes and sometimes I add half and half nuts and hemp which seems to make the recipe a little lighter. Many find when becoming a vegetarian or vegan, it is very easy to include too many nuts in their diet. I know myself that nuts replaced meat & dairy to a great extent, & from my experience, this can contribute to weight gain when out of balance with fruit & veggies.

Hemp is a beneficial addition in a high raw vegan diet for many reasons.

Hemp protein

Hemp seeds contain the most complete edible and usable protein of any plant or vegetable. Unlike soybeans which contain more protein than hemp, the protein from hemp seeds is much more usable than that found in soybeans.

Hemp hearts – shelled hemp seeds- are an excellent source of complete protein. It supplies enough of each of the 9 essential amino acids to contribute to the human body’s requirements. All its 20 amino acids come in an easily digestible form.

In addition, another one-third of hemp’s protein is albumin, another high quality globulin protein also found in egg whites. Both of these high-quality storage proteins are easily digested.

Hemp is 30% protein. One ounce of hemp hearts provides 10.3 grams of protein while 1 ounce of flax seeds provides 5 grams and 1 ounce pumpkin seeds, 9 grams.

Hemp Fats

Hemp seed oil has on average the highest mono and polyunsaturated fat content of all oils, taken collectively, of 89%. Hemp is one of the rare plant-food containing a balance of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) omega 3 to alpha-linoleic acid (LA) omega 6.

Minerals

Hemp seeds are a good source of the minerals phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, manganese, zinc and copper.

In short, hemp has exceptional nutrients found all in one place and can constitute an important element in nutrition. Hemp hearts are a beneficial addition to a plant-strong and high raw diet for a good balance of essential fatty acids, an excellent source of protein and fiber, precious minerals and vitamins.

Eat hemp seeds raw as heat will destroy their delicate oils. They are very versatile and you can use them in a variety of recipes: add them to smoothies, make a hemp milk or hemp cream, sprinkle them over salads, make dressings and sauces and add them to pates.

Strawberries are in Season here in Australia & I made a delicious smoothie for my husband & I for breakfast to-day.
I used 2 cups of almond milk, a handful of strawberries, 1/2 a banana, 1 tablespoon of hemp seed & a handful of spinach all blended with some ice.......Yum, & Oh so Good !