Hemp seeds are one of the most wholesome and nutritious foods available today. Despite being closely related to the cannabis plant, hemp seeds have become widely popular as a health food in recent years.

The list of reasons to eat hemp seeds is vast, ranging from antioxidant and anti-aging properties to the prevention of heart disease and diabetes. Hemp seeds also contain all 10 essential amino acids, making them an ideal source of protein for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

Hemp seeds usually come pre-shelled and appear small and round. When eaten raw, they have a mild nutty flavor that makes a pleasant addition to almost any recipe.

Interested in adding hemp seeds to your diet? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Salads

Raw hemp seeds can provide a great nutritional boost to any salad. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of hemp seeds on top of your favorite spring mix and enjoy.

Smoothies

Another easy way to get the benefits of hemp seeds is to blend them into your smoothie. Just a tablespoon of hemp seed can make your smoothie extra nutritious without affecting the flavor.

Hemp seeds can also be ground up and mixed with water alone to make hemp milk.

Baked Goods

Add a handful of hemp seeds to the batter of any baked good such as muffins, cookies and breads. Due to their naturally nutty flavor, hemp seeds can also be used as a substitute in recipes that call for other types of nuts.

Hemp Oil

The oil made by cold-pressing hemp seeds offers even more versatility for those looking to enjoy the benefits of hemp. Hemp seed oil can be bought at most health-food stores and makes a great addition to salads, sauces and dips.

Be careful with adding hemp oil to warm dishes, though. Because of the low stability of the unsaturated fats in hemp oil, cooking with it is not recommended.

Source: LeafScience