Seaweed helps to boost energy levels due to its vitamin B and iron content as well as being a rich source of iodine, needed for healthy thyroid function and essential for children’s brain function.

This superfood is also beneficial for the treatment and management of blood sugar disorders such as diabetes as it is a good source of chromium and protein, which helps normalise blood sugar levels.

Try adding small strips of seaweed to soups, salads and stir-fries, or make nori rolls.

RECIPE:

Brown rice nori rolls

Made with fibre-rich brown rice, avocado, egg and salad, these nori rolls make a delicious well-balanced lunch or snack. Seaweed is a highly nutritious food, rich iron, iodine and calcium, and is known to have immune boosting powers.

4 nori roll sheets
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or lemon juice
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
4 nori sheets
Avocado, long thin strips
Lettuce, finely shredded
Lebanese cucumber, long thin strips
Carrot, finely grated
Alfalfa sprouts

You will need a bamboo mat.
Cook rice to packet instructions, stir in vinegar and allow rice to cool.

Deseed cucumber by cutting in half lengthways and scooping out the seeds. Cut into long thin strips.

Lightly spray a frying pan with olive oil and place over a medium heat.

In a small bowl whisk an egg with 1 tablespoon of milk. Fry egg and then place on a chopping board and cut into thin strips. Place nori sheet shiny side down on a bamboo mat.

Dip your hands in water and pat a 1/4 cup rice over 2/3 of the nori sheet, leaving the end clear.

Lay some avocado, egg, lettuce, carrot, cucumber and alfalfa width ways along the centre of the rice.

Holding the mat roll the nori over and over to the edge of the rice.
Dampen the remaining nori and roll it up. Using the mat pull the roll tightly to seal.

Makes 4 large nori rolls.

Variations: Replace egg with cooked strips of chicken, salmon, tuna or tofu.