Eating Seeds: A Boost for Your Nutrient Intake

For the past few years, while managing a busy office schedule and hostel life, my nutrition took a hit. Even after marriage, my eating habits haven't improved much. My family is concerned and wants me to gain weight, encouraging me to eat traditional foods like idli, sambar, rice, etc. However, I struggle to eat larger portions of these meals.

Determined to find healthier alternatives, I began exploring options that could provide essential nutrients without being unpleasant to eat. After some experimenting, I've found a few choices that have either become favorites or are at least manageable to include in my diet.

First and foremost, it’s important to trust both the start and the process. I genuinely believe this has brought positive changes to my body, and I can confidently say I’ve seen some pretty cool improvements.

This is the super drink I began consuming.

This is a mix of pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds and I take this drink three times a week.

I usually soak the seeds for a few hours and blend them with milk. You can enjoy the seeds raw, roasted, or added to other dishes. There's no need to stick to just this smoothie.

I also include ingredients like cashews, almonds, dates, sesame seeds or various dried fruits in rotation to get additional nutrients.

• Pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants that may help protect against inflammation. They are also one of the best natural sources of magnesium, which is crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as supporting heart and bone health.

• Chia seeds provide a great supply of minerals like magnesium, manganese, and selenium, and they are very high in fiber.

• One of the main benefits of flax seeds is that they aid digestion. They are rich in dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements and helps with hormonal balance in women, as well as supporting bone health.

• Sunflower seeds are a good source of zinc and vitamin E, which promote healthy skin, healthy hair, heart health.

The list of benefits could go on, but I'm keeping it short for now.

REFLECTIONS ON MY EXPERIENCE :

In the first day, I experienced some indigestion, likely because it was the first time I was introducing these ingredients to my body. However, things improved quickly, and my body started accepting it without upsetting my stomach.

I noticed a visible difference in my hair, especially with reduced hair loss. However, my dandruff issue remains unaffected, so this won’t solve that.

This smoothie has also helped relieve my constipation issues.

Another great result was a reduction in my active acne.

I also felt more energized overall. I noticed a significant boost in my activity levels after starting this routine.

There’s research suggesting it can aid in hormonal balance, and I’ve seen improvements in my irregular period cycle. However, since I’ve also incorporated some morning and bedtime yoga poses aimed at balancing hormones, I can’t be certain which has had the greater impact.

Disclaimer: The tips and suggestions in this article are intended for general information only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietitian before starting any fitness program or making changes to your diet. Including a few servings of organic seeds in your daily diet is an excellent way to improve your overall nutrition. However, it’s important to consume them in moderation, as excessive amounts could lead to health problems.