I love to snack. During my freshman year of college, however, I quickly learned that mindless snacking = major poundage. If you’re craving a salty, crunchy fix, but prefer to avoid regaining the freshman fifteen, consider organic nori sheets.

Nori is the Japanese name for the red alga Porphyra . . . in simpler terms it’s edible seaweed. Sounds gross, but it’s actually quite tasty. You’ve probably already enjoyed nori as it is the same flaky green stuff used to wrap your scrumptious sushi . . . mmmmm . . . dragon roll.

Most of all, nori contains a plethora of “good-for-you” ranging from an abundance of vitamin A, to an excellent source of iron and fiber. Traditionally nori was used by the Japanese to promote circulation and fight poor cholesterol. Japanese medicinal literature even refers to it as, “the reservoir of vitamins.”More modern nutrition sources, such as True Star Encyclopedia of Health claim nori as one of the best natural sources of vitamins and minerals. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s nutritional label, nori will give you potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. While two sheets of nori will give you:

- your daily requirement of vitamin A.
- vitamin B1 and B2 in amounts equivalent to 50~60 grams of pork, a sufficient daily amount.
- twice the vitamin C as an equivalent portion of tangerines.
- iron equal to 600 cc of milk or one egg.

High in nutrients, but low in calories . . . two sheets with all the above tops off at only 16 calories!

Posted on July 6th, 2007 by Olivia Zaleski