“Sea greens or sea vegetables are simply edible plants, such as seaweed and algae, that come from the sea,” says Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, of Chicago, the author of The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods and host of Nourishing Notes podcast. They can be a nutritious and tasty addition to your diet. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about sea greens, why you should add them to your next meal, and creative ways to do just that.
Still, not all sea greens are created equal. “Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content in sea greens is highly variable based on their marine environment, and more,” says Retelny.
Other popular varieties of sea vegetables include kombu, wakame, sea purslane, and Irish moss.
If you’re looking to switch up your smoothie game, this Green Spirulina Smoothie from Minimalist Baker has you covered. With just five ingredients, it’s simple to make, and comes with healthy additions like cucumber, banana, and kale. And if you want a simple and delicious recipe for Salicornia (aka sea beans) check out this recipe for Sea Bean Salad from chef Hank Shaw. The sea beans are the main event, tossed with garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, along with a little lemon and feta cheese. Researchers at Newcastle University (in partnership with Proctor and Gamble) have found a way to use sea greens in laundry detergent, to make a more sustainable and eco-friendly product.
