Although edamame is a staple in stir-fries and vegetarian meals, this plant can provide a variety of nutritional benefits for everyone. Edamame seems to be more popular as a snack. But people are beginning to discover that soy is a source of protein to add to a variety of other dishes. Read on to learn more about this soy and how you can incorporate it into your own diet.
Edamame Definition: A legume that is just one type of soybean
Edamame is one of many types of soy foods. Other types include tempeh, miso, and tamari. Meanwhile, types of soy include tofu, soy flour, and soy milk. The name edamame literally means “bean on a branch.” If you eat the beans from this plant, edamame is technically considered a legume.
Although it is growing in popularity in Western cultures, edamame is anything but new. In fact, edamame is believed to have been around for over 2,000 years and was first harvested in China. They were later introduced to Japan and have been staples of many Asian diets ever since. However, some food historians believe that edamame could have been around much earlier, based on ancient Chinese texts.
What is the difference between edamame and snap peas?
Like edamame, it is technically part of the legume family. But these two legumes have big differences in taste, appearance and nutrition. Unlike edamame, peas are eaten whole, pods and all. The edamame pods are split open so you can eat the beans inside. The snap peas taste slightly sweet, while the edamame is a bit more bitter. The confusion between edamame and snap peas stems in part from their appearance. Both consist of oblong-shaped green pods containing beans. However, edamame is much thicker, and there may only be a few beans in each pod. Snap peas are larger and contain several peas in each pod, which are often eaten all at once. When considering the nutritional aspects of edamame and peas, edamame has a clear advantage when it comes to protein, but it is also higher in calories than peas.
The Carbohydrates, Calories and Proteins of Edamame: A Look at the Nutritional Values of the Legume
Part of the reason edamame is popular is that it’s a complete protein. This means it contains all the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) needed for muscle maintenance, hormone balance, blood health, and more. Consuming edamame is a great way to vary your protein sources, giving your body access to a broader range of nutrients.
In addition to its protein content, edamame is a valuable source of several other nutrients, with estimates that the following nutrients are present in a 78-gram (g) serving of shelled edamame:
Calories: 94
Protein: 9.2g
Lipids: 4g
Carbohydrates: 6.9g
Fiber: 4 g (14 percent DV)
Natural sugars: 1.7 g
Calcium: 49 milligrams (mg) (4 percent DV)
Iron: 1.7 mg (9 percent DV)
Sodium: 4.6mg
Vitamin C: 4.8 mg (5% DV)
What are the health benefits of edamame?
Edamame is a good plant-based source of protein. In fact, it’s supposed to be just as good as animal protein and free of harmful saturated fat. It is also much richer in vitamins, minerals, and fiber than animal protein. Consuming 25 g per day of soy protein, such as tofu, may reduce the overall risk of heart disease.
Edamame, like other soybeans, contains naturally occurring levels of phytoestrogens, or plant-derived estrogens called isoflavones. These natural estrogens can potentially help alleviate perimenopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. The naturally high protein content can also help meet your body’s daily protein needs and lower blood cholesterol levels due to the consumption of saturated fat found in meat-based protein sources. Also, moderate consumption of isoflavones during adulthood may reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers in some women.
Soybeans like edamame are also good plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids called alpha-linolenic acids (ALA). It’s also important to regularly consume enough omega-3s to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Is edamame a good food for weight loss?
In fact, the protein and fiber in edamame can help you lose unwanted pounds. A review published in the journal Nutrients noted the potential benefits of soy for cardiovascular health. This includes reducing inflammation, which is a common problem in obesity.
Another advantage is that plant-based proteins do not contain saturated fats like animal-based proteins. This can help reduce your risk of high cholesterol over time.
By adding more plant-based protein to your diet, you’ll also reap heart-healthy benefits from the increased saturated fat intake that comes from eating more animal protein. Another study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, concluded that eating more plant-based protein lowers LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol. Being overweight is one of many risk factors for high cholesterol, by losing weight you can also lower your overall cholesterol levels.
The best way to choose and store edamame
You can buy the edamame fresh or frozen. If you opt for the frozen version, follow all cooking instructions on the package and note the expiration date of the product. Choose frozen edamame with no added sauces or salt. It’s also good to think about how you want to use the edamame. If you’re serving them as a side dish or appetizer, buy them in the pods. But if you want to incorporate them into a soup or stir-fry, the shelled version (without the pod) will make it easier for you.
When looking for fresh edamame, you may find beans that are still in their pods or already peeled and ready to cook. Look for pods or beans that are bright green and firm to the touch. Fresh edamame will keep in the fridge for four to five days or in the freezer for up to six months.
how to eat edamame
Before cooking edamame, be sure to rinse the bean pods thoroughly to remove any growing and harvesting residue. To eat edamame, apply light pressure to the bean pod and gently squeeze the beans. Add a bit of sea salt to bring out the flavors, if your diet allows it.
Edamame is also very versatile when it comes to cooking. You can boil, steam, or even microwave them in a small amount of water. Edamame cooks quickly, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time cooking them. A one cup serving takes less than a minute to microwave with a teaspoon of water. Cooking with water or steam takes an average of 4 to 7 minutes.
You can also blanch and freeze fresh edamame to store for later. Stored this way, edamame can last up to six months.
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