Spirulina, it's the forgotten super food.
Spirulina was very trendy in the 1990's and somehow it has dropped off the forefront of hot food trends.
I am here to bring it back!
....Or at least remind you why it's so great.
Spirulina Facts 101
1. Spirulina is a blue-green algae.
2. Spirulina can easily be added to smoothies. Though the color impact will be bright green, the taste impact is minor to none.
3. The name spirulina is derived from the Latin word for "helix" or "spiral"; denoting the physical configuration of the organism.
4. Spirulina is called the "food of the future" because of its ability to synthesize high-quality concentrated food more efficiently than any other algae.
5. Spirulina is 65 to 71 percent complete protein, with all essential amino acids in perfect balance. In comparison, beef is only 22 percent protein.
6. The Japanese both produce and consume more spirulina than anyone else. Some researchers claim that Spirulina is useful in helping diabetics control their food cravings and decrease their insulin intake.
7. Spirulina is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12. B12 is usually only in animal products. Thus, vegans should take note to add spirulina to their diets.
8. 1 tsp. of Spirulina will meet your RDA of B12, and spirulina contains over twice the amount of B12 found in an equivalent serving of liver.
9. Spirulina contains many other nutrients - amino acids, minerals, enzymes and more.
10. Spirulina is not a sea plant! It survives in fresh water ponds.
So I hope you will consider giving spirulina a second look.
It was trendy once, for a reason...
It is indeed an excellent vegan source of vitamin B12.
SERVING SUGGESTION:
Add it to a blueberry banana smoothie and you won't even taste it! (Don't let the dark green color scare you away.
KIDS
If making a green spirulina smoothie for your kids, call it the 'green monster smoothie' of 'slimy sea monster smoothie' or the 'Tinkerbell smoothie' or 'lucky green smoothie'.
Danielle O says
Why not just research this info yourself if genuinely interested. Especially in your case where your health is involved you do not want to take someone's word for it really.
Todd youtz says
spirulina addict- while I love the overall effect of spirulina, it should be noted it does NOT contain any
true B12, but an analogue that is not active in the body. B12 is found in animal foods almost exclusively. As for protein, unless you consume like a 1/2 cup of it, you're not really gonna get much.
Instead, use it for all the micronutrients in it that are great for the body, and hard to get otherwise-
GLA, phycocyanins, pigment, caroteinoids, etc. That is the true value of spirulina- for me, it seems to
improve any health issue I have, when I take 6-12 tabs a day, w/ food.
Toms67ramsla says
dude the only way i can handle that dark dark darkest green ive ever seen is to just put it in a little bit of water stir the hell out of it and drink fast. I put it in some soup, not a good idea go spiralina
Tracy says
If it is freshwater, does that mean it does not contain iodine?
I had to give up all the sea vegetables because of their high iodine content (I have Grave's disease and iodine affects my thyroid drugs)
Thanks,
Tracy
Tracy says
If it is freshwater, does that mean it does not contain iodine?I had to give up all the sea vegetables because of their high iodine content (I have Grave's disease and iodine affects my thyroid drugs)Thanks,Tracy
Tracy says
If it is freshwater, does that mean it does not contain iodine?
I had to give up all the sea vegetables because of their high iodine content (I have Grave's disease and iodine affects my thyroid drugs)
Thanks,
Tracy