Benefits from Soaking Seeds and Grains including Recipes! The idea behind soaking seeds and grains is to make the food easier for our body to absorb the nutrients. The best part about soaking is it’s easy and significantly beneficial to your overall health.
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Snacks can be healthy and easy at any age. Healthy (allergen-friendly) Snack Ideas includes quick protein snacks to keep up your energy all day long.
Soaking seeds and grains was a new concept to me about ten years ago. However soaking was practiced by the indigenous people groups, including the Aztecs and Mayans of Central America. We suspect they might have soaked grains and seeds as a way to preserve food. One interesting fact is that seeds were highly valued in their culture and often used for currency.
Quick Amazon Link: Buy Organic White Quinoa here.
Benefits of Soaking Seeds and Grains
The science behind soaking grains and seeds is extensive. It focuses a lot on how the grain or seed is broken down or even sprouted. Although I do love reading all about phytic acid and the science terms related to the reasoning behind soaking, I will not spend much time relating that information here.
Focus is on three areas:
- Benefits of Soaking Seeds and Grains
- How to soak seeds and grains
- Recipes that include soaking seeds and grains.
Benefits of Soaking Seeds and Grains
Seeds, nuts and grains all contain anti-nutrients, such as enzyme inhibitors in nuts/seeds and phytic acid in beans and grains. The biggest concern here is our body’s ability to digest them and gain valuable nutrients. When we don’t soak our seeds or grain before consuming, we can actual rob our body from absorbing essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc.
Superfoods Organic Sunflower Seeds – Raw & Unsalted
Superfoods Organic Pumpkin Seeds – Raw & Unsalted
Benefits of Soaking:
- Reduces phytic acid and can even remove phytic acid.
- Easier on the digestive system.
- Allows proteins and nutrients more available for absorption.
- Neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors.
- Encourages beneficial enzymes and vitamins to increase.
In the book Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon, she goes into detail on the necessity of soaking and sprouting grains, seeds and nuts for many health benefits.
How to Soak Seeds
The most common seeds I soak are organic raw sunflower seeds and organic raw pumpkin seeds. Your seeds will be tasty and easier to digest! Enjoy!!!
Printable: Soaking Sunflower or Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
Soaking Sunflower or Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 2 c. raw sunflower seeds organic
- 2 c. purified water
- 1 tsp. Celtic sea salt
Instructions
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In a glass bowl, add the sunflower seeds, water and sea salt. Make sure that the seeds are all under the water. Stir and set aside for 7-12 hours.
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Rinse well with cool water.
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Preheat the oven to the lowest setting, usually 170 degrees. Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
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Pour the seeds evenly over the parchment paper. Roast on low heat for 8-10 hours until the seeds are dehydrated.
NOTE: If you have a dehydrator, this process will be easier but may take up to 12 hours to dehydrate the seeds.
Once soaked and dehydrated, I like to roast them in the oven. Melt 1-2 T. of coconut oil and spread evenly over seeds. Sprinkle with Celtic sea salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes at 325 degrees, until slightly brown.
Should I soak nuts before eating them?
Nuts also contain enzyme inhibitors that are best broken down by soaking. Eating nuts that have been soaked makes it much easier on your digestive system. Our household has been nut-free for the last 17 years, due to a family member having a tree nut allergy. Would you like to read more on soaking nuts? Check out Whole Lifestyle Nutrition for the why and how of soaking nuts before consuming.
Soaking Grains
In a glass bowl, soak your cream of buckwheat overnight in water & unsweetened coconut yogurt. Note: Other cultured unsweetened yogurts may be substituted.
Printable: Organic Cream of Buckwheat
Organic Cream of Buckwheat
gluten free & dairy free
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. organic cream of buckwheat soak overnight
- 1 c. water soak overnight
- 1 T. unsweetened coconut milk yogurt soak overnight
- 1 1/2 c. water
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
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In a glass dish, add the cream of buckwheat, water and coconut milk yogurt. Stir, making sure all the grain are covered. Set aside to soak overnight.
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In the morning, bring 1 1/2 c. water to a boil in a cook pot. Add the soaked grains and turn the heat down to simmer.
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Simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens. Stir every minute.
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Serve warm with fresh fruit or maple syrup.
Organic cream of buckwheat can be purchased here.
Printable: Organic Breakfast Oats
Breakfast Oats
gluten free and dairy free
Ingredients
- 1 c. organic rolled oats gluten free
- 2 c. water
- 2 T. unsweetened coconut yogurt
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1 T. ground flaxmeal
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 T. raw honey
Instructions
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In a large bowl soak the oats in 1 c. of water. Stir in 2 T. of unsweetened yogurt. Soak overnight.
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Add 1 c. of water and sea salt to a cooking pot. Bring to a boil.
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Add the soaked oats to the boiling water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Once thickened remove from the heat and add flax meal, cinnamon, and honey. Serve warm.
Enjoy the Benefits of Soaking Seeds and Grains
I personally do not consume very many grains as they can be hard for me digest and increase inflammation in my digestive tract. However, I have found success with soaking oats and buckwheat!
Soaking your grains and seeds before consuming is wonderful for people with digestive issues, like myself. Instead of that heavy sinking feeling after eating a bowl of oatmeal, you feel content. It’s worth the extra effort to soak our seeds and grains the night before serving them.
Your body and digestive system will thank you! I would love to hear from you; did you start with soaking seeds or grain first??
I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about soaking seeds and grains. Most of all, I desire for you to feel and look healthier!
Pursing Better Health Together,
[…] well. I encourage soaking seeds before consuming to allow for the best digestibility. Check out Benefits of Soaking Seeds and Grains on how to go about soaking and for a delicious cream of buckwheat breakfast […]