A seed may be tiny in size, but the health benefits of seeds are big. If you are looking to add snackable and nutritious foods to a healthy diet plan – it’s time to plant the seeds for success.
At Weight Success Centers, our physicians customize meal plans for patients with unique needs. Here are the ways women and men are healing, balancing hormones, and improving their health with seeds.
- Powerful Vitamins and Minerals: Different types of seeds are a source of vitamins like B and E as well as minerals including iron, zinc, and magnesium. Rivaling fruits and vegetables, those little seedlings can contribute to your daily in-take of essential nutrients. An array of vitamins and minerals as part of a nutritious diet adds vitality and immunity to the health benefits of seeds.
- Seed Cycling for Hormonal Balance: Cumulatively, the nutrients in certain seed types may also support hormonal balance. As men and women age, hormone levels decline and fluctuate. Nutrients in some seeds may help balance estrogen and progesterone levels influencing sex drive, mood, and sleep. Also, many women now follow a “seed cycling” diet by alternating flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds to balance hormones during specific weeks of menstrual cycles.
- Nutrients for Relaxation and Healing: The health benefits of seeds also include minerals to support relaxation and healing. For example, a pumpkin seed contains magnesium, a mineral associated with muscle relaxation, sleep regulation, and lowered anxiety. Many types also offer a dose of zinc, which may help support metabolism and immune function among other benefits.
- Energy Sources for Lean Protein: If you want to find snackable foods with lean protein, dig deep into the world of seeds. There are many types providing plant-based protein. One ounce of pumpkin seeds offers around 8 grams of protein. For a tasty energy boost, try snacking on sunflower seeds or look for sesame seed bread and multi-seed cracker products at stores.
- Plant-Based Options for Omega-3s: Guess what – you do not have to eat fish for a dose of Omega-3s. Chia seeds and flaxseeds are great ways to get a healthy dose of fatty acids, including heart-healthy alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Notably, many vegans opt for a flaxseed oil supplement rather than a fish oil supplement.
- Snackable and Easy-to-Enjoy: Easily, seeds can be described as a delicious and healthy snack. Try a convenient alternative to a bag chips by snacking on a nutritious handful of sunflower seeds. Also, you may reap the health benefits of seeds by adding a spoonful to your yogurt, mixed in a salad, cooked in an entrée, or ground into a powder for adding to your protein shake or smoothie.
As with any meal plan, supplement, or treatment, results and benefits will vary depending on the person. Contact Weight Success Centers for individualized solutions for greater health and wellness.
Are you ready to snack your way to enjoying the health benefits of seeds? Contact us to consult with the experts and physicians at one of our Weight Success Centers near you.