In your tireless pursuit of better health you may have tried raw foods, vitamin supplements or vegetarianism. Given the abundance of health products available, you may have overlooked a common but unheralded source of nutrition: the marine algae called kelp. With a bit of creativity, though, you can easily add kelp to your diet.
In this article: Hokkaido Dried Kelp from Hokkaido Japan, Carlyle Sea Kelp Iodine Traditional Herb Supplement and Gold Mine Kelp Noodles.
Marine kelp is a close relative of the bright green algae you see growing on stagnant ponds. It grows in large kelp forests that hug the coastlines of continents around the globe. North Americans on the west coast may have encountered kelp while surfing or fishing. Kelp forests have an important role to play as habitats for a variety of sea life. Among the many creatures that call these forests home are rockfish and lobsters. Aside from seeing kelp swaying just under the surface of the ocean, you are most likely to encounter it in Japanese cuisine.
Kelp, like other seaweeds, is packed with nutrients, including iodine, iron, calcium and vitamin K. People with hypothyroidism can use kelp as a source of iodine. If you struggle with anemia, kelp can be a healthy source of iron.
Because kelp has such a high nutrient content, adding just a small amount to your diet can make a big difference in your overall health. Kelp is also a good source of the savory flavor umami, without which noodle soups and stir-fries don't taste quite right.
This can be accomplished by taking a daily supplement. Powdered or crushed kelp can be sprinkled on salads or mixed into juices. Kelp is also available in noodle form.
Hokkaido Dried Kelp from Japan
Coming to you from the Japanese island of Hokkaido, this high-quality dried kelp delivers intense flavor to soup stocks and broths. These large strips of dried kelp have a slightly salty taste.
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Best for serious students of Japanese cooking, this authentic dried kelp is essential to making your Japanese dishes taste right. This package contains enough kelp for 250 servings.
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Swanson Herbal Supplements Kelp Iodine
Designed to support thyroid health, these tablets have 225 micrograms of iodine. You should take just one tablet a day with a glass of water for the best results.
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One tablet of this supplement daily should improve your thyroid health. Each pill delivers 225 micrograms of iodine, which is equal to 150% of the daily recommended amount.
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This non-GMO supplement is easy to swallow and delivers 150 micrograms of iodine per dose. These supplements qualify as vegan, kosher and halal.
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Nature's Way Kelp Whole Thallus
A single tablet of this vegan supplement offers a whopping 600 milligrams of kelp and contains 270 micrograms of iodine for thyroid support. This product is gluten-free and includes no genetically modified organisms.
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Carlyle Sea Kelp Iodine Traditional Herb Supplement
This is a potent formulation of organic sea kelp in easy-to-swallow tablets. This product is GMO- and gluten-free, and each tablet contains 225 micrograms of iodine.
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Sea Tangle Noodle Company Kelp Noodles
Swap out rice or egg noodles with kelp noodles and add a healthy, flavorful dimension to Pad Thai and other noodle favorites. These noodles are free of fat and gluten and are low in calories.
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These healthy noodles have no preservatives or gluten and are naturally low in carbohydrates and calories. Using these instead of wheat or rice noodles in your favorite noodle recipe adds nutrition and savory flavor.
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Sea Tangle Noodle Company Kelp Noodles with Green Tea
These mineral-rich noodles contain no preservatives and are gluten-free. With the addition of green tea, they are a good source of antioxidants.
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Starwest Botanicals Organic Kelp Powder
Certified as organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this kelp powder is also kosher. It contains no GMOs or gluten and is ethically sourced.
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Maine Coast Seasonings Organic Kelp Granules
These kelp granules offer a healthy alternative to salt. You can bring the umami flavor forward in soups, salads and stir-fries with these granules that are a great source of iodine.
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