Aside from being delicious and colorful, edamame is packed full of nutrients, so this is one snack you can munch on without feeling an ounce of guilt. Their popularity in the United States has risen in recent years, and you can find them frozen in most grocery stores.
Edamame Nutrition
Edamame is high in fiber and protein and contains loads of vitamins and minerals. Here are five reasons why edamame is so good for you:
1. Protein
Packed with 16.9 grams of protein per 1 cup serving, edamame isn’t just high in protein. Soy protein is also a complete protein, loaded with the nine essential amino acids that our bodies require to function. These compounds include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Unlike the other amino acids, the human body can’t produce these ones, so we need to get them from food in order to survive.
2. Fiber
Soybeans are a legume, and like most legumes, edamame contains loads of fiber, 8.1 grams per serving to be specific. A good portion of the carbohydrates in edamame are fiber, and the rest is lower-glycemic complex carbohydrates.
3. Vitamins
Edamame contains significant amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, and Riboflavin, but where it really shines is in its Folate content (a serving contains 121% of the recommended daily value). Also known as Vitamin B9, Folate is essential in the production of blood cells and the synthesis of DNA. Consumption of Folate-rich foods has been proven to reduce the symptoms of anemia.
4. Minerals
With over 20% of the recommended daily values of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, edamame is also a good source of calcium and potassium.
5. Phytonutrients
Soybeans are a rich source of phytonutrients like isoflavones, saponins, phytosterols, and carotenoids.
Other Edamame Recipes
Spicy Edamame Chawanmushi (steamed egg) Ganmodoki (tofu patties) Soba Noodle Salad
📖 Recipe
