Hemp, Chia, Flax…  Seeds Are Where It’s At!

Produce Services of  Los Angeles isn’t just the best wholesaler to source all of your fresh fruits and vegetables – it’s also a great place to stock up on premium-quality edible seeds like hemp, chia, and flax!  Health-conscious consumers here in Southern California are always on the lookout for the next ‘superfood’, and these nutrient-packed seeds are quickly gaining popularity among dietitians, doctors, and athletes alike who rave about the many health benefits of hemp, chia, and flax seeds.

Here’s what you need to know about these three incredible, edible, and tasty seeds.

Hemp Seeds:

Of these three ‘superfood’ seeds, hemp seeds boast the most well-rounded and balanced nutritional profile. It’s comprised of about 1/3 protein and 1/3 essential fatty acids – in fact, it contains over six times more Omega-3 than raw tuna has, and it also has all 9 essential amino acids (a.k.a. the ‘building blocks’ of life), making them a great dietary supplement for anyone following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

It’s important to note that despite the fact that both hemp and marijuana are subspecies of the same family of plants, there’s no chance that eating hemp seeds will lead to any type of ‘high’ because there’s virtually no THC (the ‘active’ compound in marijuana that can cause users to experience psychological effects) in hemp seeds.

Hemp seeds are delivered from your produce distributor shelled and ready to eat, making them easy to add to salads, granola, and baked goods. They have a crunchy, slightly nutty flavor that pairs well as a crust for fish, and gently toasting these seeds is a great way to enhance their appeal.

Flaxseeds:

Flaxseeds are also packed with fiber, 2.4 grams of the short-chain omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and 300 milligrams of a particular type of antioxidant called lignans per teaspoon, making them popular among folks who want to enjoy the benefits of Omega-3’s without having to pop handfuls of fish oil pills.

Flax seed consumption has been linked to lower cholesterol, reduced rates of skin cancer, and even better mental health; they can be easily integrated into most dry mixes like muffin mixes and breads, and flax can even be added to smoothies and yogurt too.  Flaxseeds need to be ground in order to be digested (and to fully extract all the nutrients) – a quick pulse inside a small food processor or seed-only coffee bean grinder does the trick.

Chia Seeds:

While most people used to think of ‘Chia Pets’ when chia seeds first hit the health-food scene a few years ago, these tiny little nuggets of goodness have now been fully embraced by culinary experts and health care professionals alike as one of the original ‘superfoods’.  With 5 grams of fiber per tablespoon, two tablespoons of chia seeds added to your oatmeal, smoothie or breakfast shake will deliver more than twice the amount of fiber most average Americans eat every day.

And just like hemp and flax, chia is also packed with protein, healthy fats and minerals, making it a must-eat food for anyone looking to improve their nutrition.  So the next time you’re looking to give your menu items a boost, why not order some of these super-seeds from your favorite produce distributor?

Produce Services of Los Angeles, Inc. is a distributor of all of the above mentioned seeds, as well as a full line of other fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables as well as dry goods.