News and Notes from The Johnson Center
Family and Food: Seaweed and Seaweed Products
JCCHD | Wed, April 03, 2013 | [Family and Food]
Seaweed and seaweed food products are becoming more readily available in the US. They are often promoted now as healthy food options across the foodie community. The growing popularity of this food has led to an increase in seaweed products, including seaweed chips and other seaweed-infused foods. Traditionally, seaweed, or a sea vegetable, is more common in coastal cuisines. The Japanese have been wrapping it around fish to create sushi for years. Lavabread is a Welsh delicacy in which puréed seaweed is rolled with oats and then fried (pictured above). In northern Belize, seaweed is ingested as a drink mixed with milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Some Drawbacks
Although seaweed can be considered a superfood, you should be aware of some concerns. Seaweed varies widely in the amount of iodine it contains. People who are allergic to iodine and fish should be cautious. High doses of iodine can cause thyroid growths or overall enlargement. It can also cause skin outbreaks that are comparable to acne. Too much iodine in your diet can also suppress the function of blood thinners and thyroid medication.
Seaweed may also contain heavy metals found in polluted waters. In 2007, a University of California – Davis study tested seaweed bought at local health food stores for arsenic. Eight out of nine samples tested positive for levels higher than FDA regulations.
Health Benefits
Seaweed has almost no fat content and is only 5 to 20 calories a serving. It is a rich source of nutrients and protein, which make it a great protein source for vegetarians. (Protein is the building block for cells and it helps regulate the chemical balance in the body.) Below is a list of other noted health benefits.
• Seaweed is high in potassium. Potassium has a variety of functions in the body. Mainly, it is used for muscle contraction and maintaining appropriate levels of fluid.
• It also contains iron. Iron’s main function is to carry oxygen through our circulatory system.
• Seaweed is a good source of soluble fiber, which helps maintain blood sugar levels and regulates digestion.
• Calcium is another nutrient found in seaweed. Calcium is essential for healthy teeth, gums, and bones.
• Seaweed is also a healthy salt substitute because of its flavor-enhancing properties.
• It contains a green pigment called fucoxanthin which may speed up metabolism. Fucoxanthin is also known for its antioxidant, ant-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic properties.
If you’ve found a good source of seaweed and want to add some to your family table, try these fun, kid-friendly recipes:
Sushi Sandwich Recipe from http://www.taste.com.au 
Ingredients
• 1 cup rose sushi rice
• ¼ cup Mizkan sushi seasoning
• 4 nori sheets
• ½ of your favorite pepper cut into strips
• 1 medium carrot cut into strips
• 2 cucumbers (Lebanese if you can find it) cut into strips
• ⅓ cup pickled ginger
Instructions
1. Rinse and drain rice 3 times or until water runs clear. Place rice in a strainer. Drain for 10 minutes.
2. Place rice and 1 cup cold water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 12 minutes or until rice has absorbed water.
3. Remove from heat. Stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer to a large ceramic dish. Stir rice with a plastic spatula to break up lumps.
5. Gradually add seasoning while lifting and turning rice until rice is almost cold.
6. Place nori sheets, shiny-side down, on a flat surface. Using damp fingers, spread ¼ rice over each sheet. Arrange carrot, pepper, cucumber and ginger over rice on 2 of the sheets.
7. Place remaining nori sheets over vegetables, rice-side down. Press down to secure.
8. Cut into quarters then each quarter into 2 triangles to make 16 sandwiches.
Nori Chips Recipe taken from http://www.chriskresser.com 
Ingredients
• 3 nori sheets (preferable untoasted but toasted will work)
• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Your favorite spice (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Cut the nori sheets into four with a knife or kitchen shears once horizontally and once vertically. (Or cut in whatever shape will fit your container.)
3. Place the nori on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Lightly brush the nori with oil using a pastry brush or your fingers.
5. Sprinkle the nori with sea salt and powdered spice of your choice. It should stick to the oil.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the nori chips become dry, green, and crispy, and begin to pucker a bit.
7. Let cool and serve or store in on-the-go container.
