We love those bright orange puffed corn snacks sprinkled with cheese powder as much as the next person, but let’s face it—they aren’t the healthiest option to satisfy those snacks. Cravings for salty snacks.
That’s why we’re so intrigued with puffed water lily seeds, which can pack the same delicious crunch and cheese into a less processing Package.
Here’s what you need to know about this new snack trend.
What are water lily seeds?
You may not have heard of water lily seeds before, but they are about to take over the snack aisle at your grocery store.
Also known as Makhana, swollen water lily seeds come from the Euryale ferox plant, a type of water lily.
Found in ponds throughout Asia, these seeds begin as pea-sized kernels that are harvested and “popped.”
The result: a crunchy, puffy snack that rivals Cheetos, popcorn, and chips.
Regular water lily seeds have a mild, earthy flavor—but they can be seasoned for a savory, spicy, or cheesy snack.
Are water lily seed snacks actually healthy?
swollen water lily her a High amino acid index and low glycemic index.
They Paleo friendly Snack, and there are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available (they do vary, though, so you should always re-check the label).
And a one-ounce serving of Bohana Wild White Cheddar Water lily seeds — about 60 crackers — contain only 120 calories. It also contains three grams of protein and four grams of fat.
“I am amazed at the lack of fat because it is a seed,” he says. Maleah Staton, RD.
As with any snack, you still need to watch your servings—but at 60 puffed seeds per serving, it may be a little easier to avoid doubling or tripling the recommended serving size as you would with a bag of cheese puffed corn.
(Cheetos, for example, have about 21 puffs per serving.)
Swollen water lily seeds are also recommended in Ayurvedic medicine for reproductive health and blood sugar regulation – but More research is needed to support those claims.
Where to buy water lily seeds
There are currently only a few brands that offer puffed water lily seeds sold in the United States, including BohanaAnd the nextAnd the AshaPopsAnd the Lily Buffs.
Bohana line of puffed water lily seeds Comes in 3 different delicious flavorsPink Himalayan salt, spirits, and wild white cheese.
If you are Follow a vegetarian dietboth Lily Puffs and AshaPops Serve vegan cheese flavored with water lily seeds.
And AshaPops even Turmeric flavor Which combines two healthy trends in one delicious package.
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