Introduction:
enhancing their natural flavor and aroma. With a firm texture and a nutty, slightly sweet taste, they make a satisfying snack on their own or added to your favorite recipes. Sunflower seeds are a rich source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a nutritious and filling snack. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, selenium, and magnesium, supporting heart health, immune function, and energy production. Enjoy them as a healthy snack, add them to your favorite salads, or use them as a topping for your favorite dishes – the possibilities are endless!
Nutrition facts
- Calories: 160-170 per ounce (28g)
- Protein: 6-7 grams
- Fat: 14-15 grams (mostly healthy fats)
- Carbohydrates: 4-5 grams
- Fiber: 3-4 grams
- Vitamin E: 30-40% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Selenium: 20-30% of the DV
- Magnesium: 20-30% of the DV
- Phosphorus: 15-20% of the DV
- Copper: 10-15% of the DV
- Zinc: 5-10% of the DV
Sunflower seeds are also a good source of other vitamins and minerals like vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and manganese.
It’s worth noting that sunflower seeds are relatively high in calories, so moderation is key. However, they are also very nutrient-dense, making them a great addition to a healthy diet.
Benefits
Recipe:
- Butter and Jelly Sandwich: Spread sunflower seed butter on bread, top with jelly, and enjoy!
- Trail Mix: Mix sunflower seeds with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate for a healthy snack.
- Salad: Toss sunflower seeds with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a citrus vinaigrette.
- Granola: Mix sunflower seeds with oats, nuts, and honey for a crunchy breakfast or snack.
- Energy Balls: Mix sunflower seeds with nut butter, honey, and oats to create bite-sized energy balls.
- Hummus: Blend sunflower seeds with chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice for a creamy dip.
- Brittle: Make a crunchy brittle by baking sunflower seeds with sugar and water.
- Oatmeal: Add sunflower seeds to your oatmeal for a nutritious and filling breakfast.
- Stir-Fry: Stir-fry sunflower seeds with vegetables and your favorite seasonings.
- Milk: Blend sunflower seeds with water to create a dairy-free milk alternative.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Sunflower seeds are a versatile ingredient and can be used in many different recipes, so don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own creations!
How to Use:
- Snacking: Enjoy as a healthy snack on its own or seasoned with herbs and spices.
- Salads: Add to salads for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Trail mix: Mix with nuts and dried fruit for a healthy and convenient snack.
- Baking: Use in baked goods like bread, muffins, and cookies.
- Granola: Mix with other ingredients to create a homemade granola.
- Yogurt and oatmeal: Sprinkle on top of yogurt or oatmeal for added crunch and nutrition.
- Stir-fries: Add to stir-fries for a nutty flavor and extra nutrition.
- Protein powder: Use as a natural protein powder supplement.
- Bird feed: Use as a nutritious feed for birds.
- Skincare: Use sunflower seed oil as a natural skincare product to soothe and moisturize the skin.
- Haircare: Use sunflower seed oil to nourish and strengthen hair.
- Cooking oil: Use sunflower seed oil as a healthy cooking oil.
- Butter: Make sunflower seed butter as a healthy alternative to peanut butter.
- Milk: Make sunflower seed milk as a dairy-free alternative.
These are just a few examples of the many uses for sunflower seeds. Get creative and enjoy!
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