Top 5 Health Benefits of Seitan!

Seitan (pronounced, “say-tan”) is a high protein food, usually made from wheat flour, spelt flour, khorasan wheat or gluten. It’s made by washing flour dough with water until it leaves a sticky mass (gluten) that is then cooked. Seitan or wheat gluten originated in China as an ingredient for noodles in the 6th century. It is very popular in Asia especially in Japan, China and Southeast Asia. It’s also very popular in Asia when catering for Buddhist consumers, who are vegetarian. Interest in seitan has been steadily growing in the West over the last 5 decades, and that trend is positively accelerating right now as an alternative to meat. Read on for these Top 5 Health Benefits of Seitan!

1.Source of Protein
The first obvious benefit is that it has a high protein (75g per 100g) content making it a good source for vegetarians and vegans. However, bear in mind that since it’s low in lysine, you should ensure you consume lysine-rich foods (such as yogurt, cheese, fruit, beans etc) to meet the recommended needs for good health.

2. Virtually 0% Cholesterol
Seitan can be useful in keeping cholesterol and triglyceride levels low since it provides proteins without increasing those factors.

3. Solution to Soya Allergies
Seitan is a good alternative not only to meat but also to soya, meaning that it’s proving a highly useful, convenient substitute for people that are allergic to soya or soya-derived products.

4. Iron
It’s a good source of iron, selenium and other minerals.

5. Digestion Friendly
Seitan is both easy to digest and assimilate so it can be eaten by people who normally (or are beginning to) find it difficult to digest meat and dairy products.

The main benefits of seitan are that it’s useful as a substitute to meat and to soya. It’s still a highly processed food however, since we cannot find it in nature and although it tastes good, don’t forget it should be consumed as part of a balanced and varied diet! Big fan of seitan? What effect has it had on your health and what recipes do you love to make with it? Let us know in the comments below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter & Instagram. (Check out these Top 5’s, take your health to the next level in 2019 and Keep YOUR Fit ON!)

Sebastien Combret

Sebastien, from Alsace, France is a food enthusiast with a background in design. He loves to experiment with recipes and find ways to improve them. He's a die-hard culture-vulture having lived in Italy and China, and travelling throughout south-east Asia, Europe and North Africa. Now living in the UK, he's completed an MBA in environmental management, carried on into an MSc in International Innovation, launched a startup and is now going into research. He loves learning and researching science, all things culinary, cooking including of course eating (he's French afterall!) He also practices meditation, qi gong, yoga etc and is always ready to travel!

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