Thursday 16 September 2010

What are Sea Vegetables?

  • Sea vegetables, popularly known as seaweeds, are those vegetables that are found under the sea. 
  • These vegetables which are found in marine salt waters, and also in fresh water lakes and seas, are said to be the most nutritious amongst the different types of vegetables. 
  • Sea vegetables are very low in calories and the rich mineral content found in them is taken from the sea. 
  • Along with proteins, fibres and calcium, seaweeds also possess the richness of vitamins, iron and essential fatty acids.
  • Though sea vegetables have only been introduced into the western world  recently, they have been part of the Japanese and Chinese cuisines for many centuries. 
  • As the sea vegetables are so rich in nutrients, they are not only good to keep you healthy, but they are also beneficial in preventing and curing certain ailments. 
  • A person who consumes these vegetables is at a very low risk of having thyroid problems, because seaweeds contain high amounts of iodine. 
  • It is also good for the health of women who are undergoing menopause. 
  • Due to the presence of folic acid and magnesium in vegetables found in the sea, they help in preventing heart diseases as well as birth defects. 
  • Asthmatic patients and those who experience frequent migraine attacks are believed to find relief by including sea vegetables in their daily diet.
  • Though not all sea vegetables are used as food, there are many which help in enhancing the taste of the dishes. 
  • Most of the sea vegetables have Japanese names and are commonly used as seasonings in soups and salads.

List of Sea Vegetables

  • Agar
  • Aonori
  • Arame
  • Carola
  • Dabberlocks (winged kelp)
  • Dulse
  • Gim
  • Hijki
  • Irish Moss
  • Kelps
  • Kombu
  • Laver
  • Mozuku
  • Nori (laver)
  • Ogonori
  • Sea Grape
  • Seakale
  • Sea Lettuce
  • Sloke
  • Wakame

4 comments:

  1. How can I grow these on my allotment?

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  2. A galvanised bath and a packet of salt?

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  3. The open air salt water Lido here in Droitwich isn't used during the winter months.
    Try there!
    Martin.

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  4. I just added the sea vegetables for complerteness, because although they don't figure greatly in our British diet, they ought to.

    They are so rich in trace elements, many elements no longer found on land. In Japan sea veggies have equal status to land vegetables.

    One day, one of our TV chefs will get us all interested; in the meantime I'll sort out a season ticket at the Droitwich open air lido!

    ReplyDelete