Sprouts, The Super Ingredient To Cook With
Devanand Verma
on 18 Oct 21 11:55 PM
Health professionals are increasingly recommending that people eat sprouts, which are easier to digest, lower in calories and richer in nutrients than dry pulses and seeds. Enzyme levels in seeds increase dramatically when they are sprouted; the seed fats are converted into essential fatty acids; carbohydrates and proteins are converted into sugars and essential amino acids respectively; minerals become easily absorbable; and vitamin levels increase substantially. Sprouts are also rich in antioxidants that are a must to fight the stress, free radicals and pollution one is exposed to these days.
The process of germination or sprouting brings about many remarkable changes in the seeds. Here are some ways in which sprouts are beneficial:
1. Easy to digest: The starch gets converted into simple sugars like glucose and fructose, proteins are broken down into amino acids, and saturated fat gets converted into simple fatty acids. Sprouts also contain enzymes that aid digestion.
2. Ideal for dieters: The calorie content of the seeds decrease on sprouting as some amount of the carbohydrates and fats get converted into more easily digestible forms. Besides this, when had as a salad or breakfast, sprouts are very satiating, thereby keeping you away from impulsively snacking on high calorie foods.
3. Contains extra proteins: Sprouting increases the availability of proteins. For example, on sprouting, the protein content of moong increases by 30%, i.e., 100 gm of unsprouted moong contains 24.9 gm protein, but on sprouting it increases to 32 gm. The inactive enzymes present in the seeds also become active after sprouting, thereby enabling easier digestion and absorption.
Inexpensive and versatile, sprouts are a great addition to soups, salads, subzis, and even rice dishes ! As the seeds sprouts, their flavour is enhanced, making them sweeter, crisper and tastier. Needless to say, sprouts should be an essential part of our daily diet. To prevent boredom, all you need to do is learn how to use sprouts imaginatively in a variety of different preparations.
Here are some suggestions...