Seitan Nutrition And Healthy Vegetarian Recipes

Seitan is also called wheat meat and is actually a gluten rich food, which is an insoluble protein of wheat. Seitan is referred to by different names in different parts of the world. It is called Kofu in China, Gluten in the US, and Seitan in Japan. It is referred to as a substitute for meat on account of its high protein content and texture that resembles the texture of naturally available meats. As such, Seitan is a good food option for vegetarians, which can supplement their protein requirements.

Advantage Of Seitan Diet And Nutritional Benefits

The advantages of a Seitan diet in terms of nutritional content are as follows:

• Seitan is a rich source of protein. Seitan contain thirty one grams of proteins per four ounces serving.
• Seitan also provides nominal amounts of Vitamin B Complex.
• Seitan is also a source of iron.
• Seitan is very low in unsaturated fats or cholesterol.
• A hundred gram serving of Seitan consists of one hundred and eighteen calories, eighteen percent proteins and less than one percent fats or cholesterol content.
• Seitan is low in sodium content.

These nutritional benefits are attainable only when healthy cooking methods are applied for preparing Seitan. The use of salt must be restricted in preparation of Seitan as excessive salt may lead to a rise in the sodium content of Seitan to a considerable level of approximately one hundred milligrams per ounce, thereby nullifying the low sodium content benefit of Seitan.

Similarly, deep frying must be avoided while preparing or processing Seitan. This is because deep frying enhances the fat content of food, thereby negating the advantage of Seitan being a low fat food.

Seitan may be prepared at home or may be prepared commercially in restaurants. Commercially prepared Seitan may have more content of sodium and fats on account of the inclusion of unhealthy ingredients in excessive amounts. As such, it is advised to prepare Seitan at home to retain its nutritional value and advantages.

Seitan, other than forming a component of a healthy diet, has some commercial applications too. One of the commercial uses of Seitan is that it is used as a stabilizing agent or as thickener in ice creams and ketchups. It may also be used as food for pets.

Seitan is rich in proteins and some vitamins and minerals, and low in hazardous contents, yet it may lead to certain health problems. It may be harmful for people prone to Coeliac diseases (an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine).