Tuesday 29 April 2014

Top 10 Favorite Nuts & Seeds - #2: Sesame Seeds

Hello there! Well it's plus 10 and sunny today! I think spring might finally be here…shhh don't tell winter or it might come back.

Today I am going to share with you another favorite seed of mine!


Sesame Seeds


Health Benefits
  • There are white and black sesame seeds.  I have always been more familiar with white but purchased some black at a bulk store recently.  I have since learned that black seeds are used to make sesame oil and are often used in Chinese medicine for their healing properties.  Both White and Black are excellent for you!
  • Excellent source of CALCIUM aka. good for your bones! Trust me you don't need to drink milk to get your calcium.  Calcium is found in many other foods such as: almonds, spinach, rhubarb and SESAME SEEDS to name a few. 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds can provide as much as 88mg of calcium.  1/4 cup of sesame seeds in equivalent to over 1 cup of milk in terms of calcium content.
  • Source of Magnesium, iron, vitamin B1 and zinc to name a few.  I could go on and on...
  • Excellent source of dietary fibre
  • Great source of copper which can provide relief for rheumatoid arthritis 
  • Can reduce blood pressure when taken in large amounts

Common Uses
  • Sesame seeds are the main ingredient in tahini which is a delicious paste that can be used in salad dressings, dips or spreads
  • Toasted and sprinkled on top of salads
  • I often use sesame seeds in baking (muffins, cookies or energy balls)
  • I use sesame oil in asian inspired dishes such as ginger/sesame salad dressings or vermicelli noodle rice wraps!

Recipes

Sesame Seeds can be purchased in most grocery stores in the bulk section or at specialty bulk stores.  I hope I have inspired you to incorporate more sesame seeds into your diet!

Danielle

Sources: 
http://nesty.org/top-5-calcium-rich-foods-1/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=84
http://www.ehow.com/info_8230864_difference-white-sesame-black-sesame.html

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