When you think of hemp, you probably don’t think of something you eat!  But hemp seeds — kind of like flax seeds or chia seeds — are growing in popularity, and are now sometimes also added to cereals, bars, grain dishes, etc, as well as sold on their own.  Here’s a little more info about hemp, in case you’re interested in trying it out.

What are hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are in the seed/nut family, and have a nutty flavor and crunchy texture, kind of like flax or chia seeds.

What’s healthy about hemp?

Hemp seeds are a great plant source of protein and healthy fat, and are rich in vitamins and minerals.  Some people say that they have more energy and improved digestion when they add hemp seeds to their diet (probably because of the fiber, protein, and healthy fat content).

Should I start eating hemp?

If you’re a vegetarian, or someone whose trying to eat more protein from plant sources, you may want to try hemp seeds.  They’re also great for people who like to sprinkle flax, wheat germ, chia seeds, granola, or nuts on top of yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, salads, etc.  It’s always good to eat a variety of foods, and hemp is one other crunchy, healthy item you can add into your rotation.

Are there any reasons not to eat hemp?

Like all nuts and seeds, hemp seeds are a dense source of calories and fat.  Two tablespoons of hemp has about 85 calories, and 7 grams of fat (the good kind of fat: unsaturated), so it’s not something that you’d want to just start sprinkling on everything you eat, unless you reduce calories somewhere else to compensate.  If you want to try hemp, make sure that you account for the extra calories, or you’ll find yourself gaining weight slowly over time.

What can I do with hemp seeds?

Sprinkle them on yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, and salad.  Add them to granola, baked goods, or bread.  Here are some recipe ideas.  Just remember to use hemp seeds as a replacement for other seeds/nuts you normally eat, as opposed to just adding them in as extra, since that will simply increase the calories and fat in your meal or recipe.

Do you have any recipes with hemp on Eating Made Easy?

Blueberry Hemp Seed Power Bowl, Hemp Seed Pesto and Creamy Green Hemp Seed Smoothie. Yum!

What brands of hemp seeds are the best?

The only two I’ve tried are Happy Hemp and Manitoba Harvest.  They’re both organic, and they tasted equivalent to me, so I think either of these would be a good place to start.