Saturday, September 17, 2011

Sunflower Seeds- Wholesome Snacking

Everyone loves snacks. We adore them for their pure saltiness, worship them for their handiness and love them for their crunch. Unfortunately most snacks are too unhealthy for us. That's where sunflower seeds comes in. They are a healthy alternative to chips and provide more energy too. Another plus is that they're just plain fun to munch on.

The hippies weren't the first to discover the joys of the sunflower seeds. Native Americans used them far more often than they did , squash corn and beans. Women from various tribes throughout North America either made them into cakes, mixed them with animal fat or ground them into a thickener for drinks and soups. Warriors took these seed based foods into battle or on hunting expeditions with them for sustenance. Sunflower seeds fell out of favor with the incoming Western European immigrants who preferred raising corn , wheat and barley. However the Russians feel in love with them, thanks to Peter The Great. He saw the pretty flowers in Holland brought them back to Russia and introduced his court to the tasty seeds.

It wa only in the 1970s that sunflower seeds became part of the American diet. Scientists had better methods of analyzing their properties and found them to be extremely high in Vitamin E. This not only helps the skin maintain its' elasticity but also helps in preventing cardiovascular disease. Sunflower seeds also contain a large dose of magnesium,helpful in preventing strokes and high blood pressure. Seeds eaten on a regular basis will also lessen migraines and asthma.
Sunflowers seeds are also versatile. You can used them as a topping for breads and rolls too or scattered in salads. You can even use them in a brittle too or just plain
If you want healthy and fun snacking look no further than sunflower seeds. They're not only tasty but good for you. Nosh on them when you want something salty and crunchy. They're the better choice.

No comments: