Benefits of Hemp Hearts on a Keto Diet

When I first heard of the keto diet, I didn’t know what to think. There is so much information about it. I first thought a diet that encouraged mostly fat and protein could never work. 

But the more I saw the results, the more I was intrigued. 

The major issue for me was finding enough food to keep me satisfied. And that’s where I ran into the benefits of hemp hearts on a keto diet. 

Hemp hearts are beneficial to a ketogenic diet due to its nutritional profile. Hemp hearts are high in protein and fat while being very low in carbohydrates. Fiber keeps you feeling fuller for longer and hearts contain all 22 amino acids. 

Hemp hearts can be eaten raw or added to favorite recipes, especially in those replacing typical grains.

To be honest, it’s kind of a somewhat strange name for a food. This might sway people from purchasing and consuming. In this article, you will learn about the benefits of hemp hearts and how they can enhance your keto-based diet.

What Are the Benefits of Hemp Hearts on a Keto Diet?

Hemp heart benefits on a keto diet include low carb, healthy fats, high protein, and packed with nutrients. Hearts can help with inflammation, your vitamin intake, and include beneficial omega fatty acids. Consuming hemp hearts can help you lose weight by keeping your cravings low.

Knowing that hemp hearts are nutritional should be enough for anyone to add them to their diet. However, those on a keto diet have to be extra careful with what they consume. This rather ‘strict’ diet doesn’t allow just anything. The good news is, hemp hearts are incredibly beneficial to a keto diet. 

First, let’s look at the nutritional profile of hemp hearts. For every three tablespoons of Humming Hemp hearts, you will find the following:

 

• 170 Calories

• 15 Grams of Fat

• 10 Grams of Protein

• 2 Grams of Carbohydrates

 

Right off the bat, anyone on a keto diet can see that this nutritional makeup is ideal for a keto diet. Now let’s take a closer look at why you should be eating them.

 

 

Hemp Hearts Are Packed with Gamma-Linolenic Acid

One major benefit of consuming hemp hearts is that they are packed with Gamma-Linolenic Acid. This is otherwise known simply as GLA. This nutrient allows the body to control inflammation throughout the body while also soothing and smoothing the muscles. 

They can also help reduce instances of:

• High blood pressure 
• Obesity
• Heart problems

Hemp Hearts Are Very Low Carb

The root of the ketogenic diet is low carb. The fewer carbs consumed, the better. And they make it a point that most carbohydrates should come from nutrient-dense ingredients such as vegetables. Trying to find enough low carb foods to keep you feel full and satisfied all day can be challenging for some, myself included.

And that’s why hemp heart seeds are so highly recommended in a keto diet. There are only 2 grams of carbohydrates per every 30 grams of hemp hearts. That means you can easily snack on these nutty delights all day. With these nuts, you no longer have to worry about going over your daily carb limit.

They Are High in Essential Macronutrients

Some people find that they don’t reach the daily recommendations of macronutrients while on a keto diet. That is because this diet is heavily restricted. However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a lack of macronutrients. Adding certain foods can help you reach your daily goals. One superfood that’s loaded with macronutrients is hemp heart seeds.

Hemp heart seeds contain:

• Zinc
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Phosphorous
• Manganese
• Thiamine
• Calcium
• Folate
• Vitamins A, B, and E

These are all necessary vitamins and nutrients you need to consume every day. Adding hemp hearts to your diet regularly can help you reach and maintain daily goals.

 

 

Hemp Hearts Help You Feel Fuller for Longer

When your diet contains enough fiber, you feel fuller for longer. Unfortunately, the keto diet makes it a bit difficult for some people to consume enough fiber. Thus, they end up feeling hungry all day - and that’s a recipe for failure. 

My first few tries at keto left me so hungry I hardly lasted two days.

So, what can you do to consume enough fiber? Well, almonds, broccoli, cauliflower, and avocado are all superior options. So are hemp hearts. 

Hemp hearts are loaded with fiber. In turn, you feel fuller for an extended period. 

This helps you to be more successful at the keto diet.

More specifically, hemp heart seeds contain insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. Why are these important?

 

• Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber is what is necessary for keeping the digestive tract moving. It also controls the pH level found in the intestines. This can lead to a reduced risk of colon cancer while avoiding constipation.

• Soluble fiber. This fiber is necessary for regulating and controlling blood sugar levels. They also control bad cholesterol. 

 

Together, these work to keep you regular, healthy, and full while on a keto diet.

Hemp Hearts Are High in Protein

There are three things to remember in a ketogenic diet: low carb, high fat, and moderate protein. Well, hemp hearts have you covered when it comes to sufficient protein intake, too. 

The nutritional profile of hemp heart seeds contains 10 grams of protein. This goes hand-in-hand with the 15 grams of fat and fiber for a nutritional profile that is extremely keto-friendly.

Hemp Hearts Also Contain All Amino Acids

Amino acids are important for all areas of life. They are especially important for heart and brain health. Unfortunately, it is difficult to attain the right amount when you’re on a ketogenic diet. To ensure you’re getting in enough amino acids, adding hemp heart seeds to your diet is ideal. But why?

Hemp hearts are made up of the ideal ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. This ratio is 3-to-1. Hemp hearts are the only plant-based protein source to contain this ratio.

In all, hemp heart seeds contain the 22 recommended amino acids for consumption per day. They also contain the nine essential amino acids that are not produced by the body naturally. This makes hemp hearts a powerhouse of amino acids for a healthy body and mind.

 

 

 

Hemp Hearts Add Some Variety to a Keto Diet

Now, adding variety to your diet may not be exactly health-related. But it is still a benefit of adding hemp heart seeds to a ketogenic diet. 

For me, I found the ketogenic diet to be a bit mundane sometimes. It felt like I was eating the same food repetitively. For someone who loves to eat and loves to cook, this was a challenge.

The more research I did, the more interesting and tasty foods I was able to add to my repertoire. One of these foods was hemp hearts. They opened up a long list of new recipes to try. They also added some delightful new and unique flavors that could be found in smoothies, salads, and more. 

Are Hemp Hearts Vegan?

Yes, hemp hearts are vegan. They are one of the most versatile seeds that you can consume. They work in a variety of diets, from paleo to gluten-free, vegetarian to vegan. This is because hemp hearts come from the Cannabis Sativa plant, making it a plant-based protein that won’t get you high. 

Hemp hearts are recommended for a vegan diet, as well as many others. They contain a high amount of protein. Since daily protein recommendations can sometimes be a struggle for many vegans, adding hemp hearts to your routine is an excellent option. 

Should You Eat Hemp Hearts Before or After Working Out?

It can be difficult to understand which foods to eat before and after a workout. When it comes to hemp heart seeds, it’s recommended to eat them after a workout. This is because hemp heart seeds are superfoods that contain Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for reducing muscle inflammation, which is necessary post-workout. 

With less muscle inflammation, your body will feel less strained the morning after a workout, and your muscles will have a better time building up and becoming stronger. You also avoid the risk of the muscles breaking down from excessive exposure to inflammation. 

 

 

How to Add Hemp Hearts to a Keto Diet

Knowing the benefits of hemp hearts on a keto diet is great. But it does nothing for you if you do not know how to eat them. The good news is, there are plenty of great ways to add hemp heart seeds to your diet. From eating them raw to adding them to your favorite dishes, hemp heart seeds are a versatile option. 

Eat Them Raw

One thing I had major trouble with when it came to the keto diet was finding snacks. The old, not keto me would turn to chips, cookies, or other unhealthy options. So, when trying the keto style, I was at a loss. I did not know what to do- until I came across hemp heart seeds. 

Hemp hearts can be eaten raw. This makes it an excellent snack to add to your keto repertoire. It’s also the easiest way to eat hemp hearts and reap the nutritional benefits associated with them.

I enjoy the taste of hemp hearts. Plus, they provide an instant energy boost. Plain hemp hearts, such as these yummy Humming Hemp - Hemp Hearts, I add with berries and nuts to create a keto-friendly trail mix. 

However, not everyone is in love with the flavor. If you like spice and kick, then you might enjoy these fiery Humming Hemp Spicy Hemp Hearts Shelled Hemp Seeds.

If you don’t fancy raw hemp hearts, there are several other ways to consume them. Here are a few top picks.

 

• Add raw hemp seeds to a smoothie. You can easily toss in some raw hemp heart seeds to any keto-friendly smoothie. This ups the nutritional content of the smoothie. It will also make them more filling. This makes it a perfect breakfast or snack post-workout.

• Add them on top of your favorite salads. Salads are always a go-to when it comes to the keto diet. Salads contain plenty of greens and other keto-friendly veggies. However, they can lack sustenance. I was always hungry an hour or two after eating salads. But adding hemp heart seeds on top adds protein and fiber to keep you full.

• Sprinkle on top of your toast. Thank goodness there is keto-friendly bread in this day and age. I missed the toast! If you want to give your regular morning toast a significant nutrient boost, then simply add them on top of your avocado or PB toast.

• Sprinkle them on top of cereal. Adding hemp heart seeds to cereal is another discrete way to add this nutrient nut to your diet. 

• Make hemp milk. You can also make homemade hemp milk to replace traditional milk. Making hemp milk only requires a few ingredients and a couple of minutes of your time. You can find a stellar recipe here.

 

 

 

Consider a Hemp Protein Powder

Protein powder has long been one of my preferred methods of adding nutrients and calories to my diet. When I saw that there was this hemp protein powder on the market, I was ecstatic. It is nutrient-dense but entirely unsweetened. 

With hemp protein powder, I could mix and match with a variety of flavors. This helps to keep things interesting. It was never overly sweet or powdery. 

Making hemp heart powder drinks is super simple. You can make a smoothie in the morning and a shake after an intense workout. Add it in other recipes, too, such as yogurt or mousse. 

Use Hemp Heart Seed Oil

Another excellent option to introduce the nutrition of hemp heart seeds into your keto diet is to opt for the oil. And yes, unlike other certain types of oils, hemp heart oil can be trusted to be keto-friendly. To use this oil, consider the following:

 

• Drizzle on top of your salad. This is the easiest way to use hemp heart seed oil. It adds a unique nuttiness to your salad. 

• Use it to roast your vegetables. Just like you would any other time, you can toss your vegetables with hemp heart seed oil and roast them in the oven. This makes for amazingly delicious vegetables unlike anything you have tasted before. 

 

I enjoy the Humming Hemp Garlic Hemp Seed Oil, Cold-Pressed & Extra Virgin because it gives my meals some extra beloved garlic flavors. You can’t go wrong with extra garlic!

 

 

Our Favorite Hemp Heart Keto-Friendly Recipes

Eat them raw, use them in your favorite recipes, or whip up a protein shake. If you’re still unsure how to use hemp heart seeds in your diet, here are some wonderful keto-friendly recipes. 

Low Carb Oatmeal

This delicious ‘noatmeal’ from Healthy Sweet Eats is a great way to kickstart your morning. This nutrient-dense breakfast combines some of the healthiest and keto-friendly ingredients. In the bowl, you will find hemp hearts, almond flour, coconut, flaxseed, and chia seeds. If that sounds like a powerhouse breakfast then you would be correct!

Keto Oatmeal Cookies

You don’t have to give up cookies just because you went on a keto diet. This is a wonderful recipe brought to us by Hip 2 Keto. 

There aren’t a whole lot of ingredients necessary, either. All you will need is some almond flour, hemp seeds, walnuts, flax, xanthan gum, and some cookie basics like salt and baking powder. Fifteen minutes later you have delectable cookie treats.

Don’t worry if you’re not a great baker. I am a disaster when it comes to baking. I can run circles around everyone come dinner time. But treats are another type of science. If you’re baker challenged, then you can always purchase a yummy treat instead! 

These hummingbar Protein Bars are wonderful as a snack or a dessert. They provide the rich, luscious experience of chocolate paired with the crunch of almonds. 

Keto Chicken Hemp Heart Tenders

Chicken strips coated with a crunchy hemp heart topping? Yes, please! If you’re missing out on crunchy chicken tenders, then you’re going to want to add this recipe to your dinner routine. 

This recipe comes from Perfect Keto and it is perfect. It is a simple, nutritional meal that the entire family can enjoy. Eat it with your favorite keto-friendly sauces and side dishes!

Summary: Benefits of Hemp Hearts on a Keto Diet

As you can see, Hemp hearts contain many benefits on a keto diet. They are the ideal nutritional profile, being mostly protein and fat with very low carbohydrates. They also contain other important vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in a keto diet. Eat them plain, add them to a salad, or create tasty meals. 

If you want to learn more about our hemp heart products, please visit our Amazon page. Here, you can find hemp heart seeds that can be added to your favorite recipes. You will also find tasty bars and protein powders to make keto dieting with hemp hearts a cinch.