March is Nutrition Month and with the Valley being health conscious, we wanted to bring you some valuable information that will help you LiveWell. Who would’ve thought that seeds would be the next big trend in the healthy eating market? Eating seeds not only provides you with an extra boost in your step but also supplies the vitamins and fiber your body ultimately needs. Thanks to Michelle Gorman, of BCBS’ Healthy Blue Services and with more than a decade of food science and nutrition experience, here’s a list of some healthy, delicious seeds. Let’s finish off Nutrition Month right by incorporating these six seeds into our diet.

1.       Hemp: A complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. It’s basically equivalent to eating an egg. Most incorporate hemp into their diet by making shakes or smoothies, or they simply sprinkle the seeds over fruit or a yogurt parfait.

2.       Wheat germ: High in folate, which is key for women of child-bearing age to fight off risks of birth defects such as spina bifida. Wheat germ can also be found in lots of yummy cereals such as granola. It’s tasty in cottage cheese too.

3.       Sunflower seeds: High in vitamin E and often acts as an antioxidant, fighting off wrinkles. Who knew sunflower seeds could perform as an anti-aging trick? Sunflower seeds also help fight heart disease.

4.       Pumpkin seeds: Contain phytosterils and help reduce bad cholesterol. These are loaded with the good healthy fats.

5.       Flax seeds: Extremely high in fiber and reduce constipation and bloating. They are also high in omega-3 too.

6.       Chia seed: Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food, even more than fresh blueberries. And they also help keep the blood pressure and blood sugar under control.

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