Tahini is a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a common ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes like hummus and baba ganoush and is filled with nutrients and healthy fats. I’ve found it to be an excellent thickener for sauces and stews, as well as a great base for homemade vinaigrettes.
In addition to being a tasty ingredient, it’s really good for you. Make sure to buy tahini made from unhulled sesame seeds because of their higher nutritional value, due to the entire seed being used. Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding it to your diet*.
Boost Your Iron Levels
If you’re iron deficient, there are numerous plant-based options available to you. You can easily replace traditional iron supplements by eating tahini. One tablespoon contains approximately 2 milligrams of iron.
Feed Your Muscles
Being high in protein, tahini provides you with the building blocks your body needs to fuel your muscles. It has higher protein levels than most nuts, so something like hummus makes a great snack after working out.
Strengthen Your Bones
One tablespoon of sesame seeds has 88 milligrams of calcium, as well as high levels of copper and magnesium which aid in the support of vascular and respiratory health.
Get More Healthy Fat
Getting the proper amount of healthy fats in your diet is important for many reasons. One rarely talked about is your liver. Tahini is high in omega-3 fatty acids which detoxify your liver and keep it in proper working order.
Soothe Your Tummy
If you’re trying to eat more vegetables but find yourself having trouble digesting them, try pairing them with some hummus. Tahini has been shown to help other foods digest more easily.
Get Glowing Skin & Hair
The wide variety of B vitamins contained in tahini are key factors in healthy cell division and the growth of red blood cells. They also help optimize immune and nerve function, resulting in healthy skin and hair.
In addition to eating tahini to various dips, spreads, and stews, I’ve added tahini to sauces for stir frys. It adds a complex flavor helping to revitalize one of my family’s favorite meals. An extremely simple way to enjoy tahini is in a salad vinaigrette. I sometimes pour it over brown rice or quinoa for extra flavor. Check out my super-easy recipe here.
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Blessings,
Sheila
*Allergen alert: Those who have allergies to sesame seeds should avoid tahini.
