Food of the week: Sesame Seeds

Recently I was looking up some information on sesame seeds. I rarely think of sesame seeds or their place in my diet, but I was very impressed with what I saw. These things are tiny, but man do they pack a nutritional punch! When I began thinking about eating sesame seeds, I realized that I really do enjoy these little guys. I mean, think about sesame seed buns and bagels. What a difference the seeds make!

Benefits:

• Sesame seeds are an excellent source of manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber. These things help rheumatoid arthritis, bone health, vascular and respiratory health, lower cholesterol and prevent Colon Cancer, Osteoporosis, Migraine and PMS.


• They also contain sesamin and sesamolin, which have been shown to lower cholesterol.


• Sesame oil may help soothe a minor burn or sunburn.


• Sesame seeds aid digestion, stimulate blood circulation, and benefit the nervous system.


• Good source of zinc for vegans, who may have trouble getting it elsewhere.
  

Drawbacks:

• They get stuck in your teeth.


• If you eat 1 cup of sesame seeds, you ingest 825 calories! But really, who is going to eat a whole cup of sesame seeds?
  

Ways to eat sesame seeds:

• Tahini is a sesame paste that is commonly used in hummus and baba ghanoush.


• Gomashio, a mixture of sesame seeds and salt, is a seasoning traditionally used in Japanese Buddhist monasteries. We’ve had this during sesshin at our zendo. I put it in everything! Really, in a stir-fry, oatmeal or a salad. Or even to jazz up rice.


• Sesame seed bagels are great with cream cheese, or to use for a tuna/chicken/egg salad sandwich.
  

Little Known Facts:

• Sesame seeds are the oldest condiment used by humans.


• Unhulled sesame seeds (unprocessed, hulls act as protective coating) are traditionally used on crackers and breads, because they adhere better.

Comedian Mitch Hedberg does not share my affection for sesame seeds. He’s funny though.