The fact that seaweed is a superfood is nothing new. Rich in minerals and fiber, flavorful and low in calories, seaweed has been prominent in Asian cuisines for millennia, but also in the diets of Indigenous peoples in coastal areas like Canada.
Lawyer, philanthropist, and mother-of-two Amal Clooney shared with Vogue that she eats the superfood every morning as part of her breakfast. We dive into the facts and share a recipe, below.
Why should we include seaweed in our diet?
“Seaweed, on the nutritional scale, weighs in far more than its actual weight: It is rich in iodine, iron, calcium, collagen, amino acids, and fiber,” explains Karen Cummings-Palmer, an integrative health and nutrition coach who creates programs for both private clients and large corporations.
Seaweed is vital to the environment and ocean health (it fights water acidification, prevents coastal erosion, and cleans up the sea) and contains far more protein, minerals, and trace elements than many vegetables. Sea moss, one of the many edible seaweed varieties, is an ingredient in Hailey Bieber’s Erewhon beauty smoothie Strawberry Skin Glaze. Note: Not every seaweed is edible and some can be toxic to the body.
When is the best time to eat seaweed? In the morning, like Amal?
“Whenever you can consume it regularly,” says Cummings-Palmer. “Try adding seaweed flakes to a smoothie or make a healthy snack by rubbing seaweed sheets with a little sesame oil, sprinkling them with salt, and baking them in a hot oven for a few minutes.”
A recipe for Seaweed Soup
Ingredients:
- 0.7 ounces of 2 types of seaweed (choose from wakame, nori, dulse, etc.)
- 2 ribs of celery
For the broth:
- 2 cucumbers
- 6 ribs of celery
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 apple
- 1 lime
- ¾ inch piece of fresh ginger
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Preparation:
Rehydrate the seaweed by placing it in a bowl of water. Prepare the broth by placing the celery, apple, cucumbers, and bell pepper inside a juicer, then add the rest of the ingredients. Cut the seaweed and celery ribs into pieces and add to the broth.
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