Wait, you eat Hemp? Here’s the lowdown on the latest superfood

Until November last year, it was illegal to eat hemp foods in Australia. Since the legislation change, hemp has hit the mainstream market and can be found in all health food shops, supermarkets and on restaurant menus. For those of you new to the world of hemp foods and wondering what the hype’s about, I spoke to the guys at Hemp Foods Australia, the largest Australian certified organic hemp food wholesaler, retailer, manufacturer and exporter in the southern hemisphere. Here’s a 101 to get you up-to-speed. Hemp is NOT marijuana Both sit under the Cannabis Sativa L umbrella but there’s one major difference. Hemp doesn’t contain any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive function of marijuana – to have any effect. If you smoked hemp, the only effect you’d feel is a headache! Hemp is a nutritional powerhouse The easiest way to eat hemp is the shelled hemp seeds. These tiny ‘superfood’ seeds pack the highest source of polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3 & Omega 6) of all food sources and contain the ideal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. These omega oils cannot be made by the body and therefore are deemed essential and must be consumed via diet – the ‘good fats’ that promote cardiovascular health and combat bad cholesterol. The seeds alone contain 30% protein and are celebrated as a complete protein. They are hypoallergenic so easily tolerable for those with food sensitivities and contain high amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre. How do you eat it? The seeds… Read More