Isabelle

If you’re looking for a nutritious fertility boost, listen up – seaweed should be part of your pantry This superfood from the sea is packed with iodine, which is crucial for keeping your thyroid healthy. And a healthy thyroid is key for fertility! Iodine also helps protect your breast tissue and may even lower breast cancer risk.

Okinawans, one of the world’s Blue Zone populations known for their longevity, regularly consume nutrient-dense seaweeds as part of their traditional diet. The unique antioxidants provided at the cellular level when consuming seaweed may contribute to the health and longevity of Okinawans.

Seaweed is a nutritional powerhouse, containing 10-20 times more vitamins and minerals than land veggies! We’re talking bioavailable calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and more. It’s also rich in prebiotics that feed the good gut bacteria. This can help prevent unpleasant IBS symptoms like bloating, discomfort, and irregularity.

Certain seaweed polysaccharides from brown seaweeds show potential in reducing inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis. The specific nutrients in seaweed may actually help optimize your fertility. Sea moss, a type of red seaweed, is rich in folate, which can improve your chances of getting pregnant. It also packs zinc, which animal studies show may boost egg quality. Seaweed’s soluble fiber can also help clear out excess estrogen and keep blood sugar stable for PCOS ladies. Aim for 2-3 servings per week of nourishing nori, kombu or wakame.

Try this easy recipe to get those minerals and vitamins in!

Here’s my go-to nourishing seaweed salad that I make during my periods:

• 1 ounce dried brown seaweed (you can purchase at the Korean or Asian grocery store)
• 1 small onion, sliced thinly
• 4 small red radish, sliced thinly
• 1 red pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 apple, sliced thinly
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey (or monk fruit extract if you’re watching your blood sugar)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds or flaxseed oil
• 1/2 lemon zest and juice
• some ice cubes (optional)
• sesame seeds
• salt (optional)

Steps are:

1. First, soak your dried seaweed in cold water for 30 mins to an hour until it’s all plumped up and hydrated.
2. Then, quickly blanch it in boiling water for 30 seconds with a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally. Strain your rejuvenated seaweed and rinse it under cold running water until it’s nice and chilled. This helps lock in all that seaweed goodness!
3. Chop the seaweed into bite-sized pieces and toss it together with all of the above ingredients or your favorite salad ingredients. Get creative with veggies, nuts, a zingy dressing – the options are endless!
4. Mix it all up and enjoy a refreshing, nutrient-packed salad that’ll have you feeling like a mermaid. Share your creations with us below!

Let me know if you decide to incorporate more seaweed in your diet.