More Deets on Nature's Wonder Plant


Hemp sure got you healthy bitches in a tizzy - and that’s just what we love.

You asked a handful of interesting questions, and we want to answer them. Here’s the 411 part deux on hemp, straight from the horse's mouth:
 
How do I use hemp in my diet?

We heard from flax lovers asking if they should make the switch to hemp. Flax naysayers wondered if hemp is equally complicated: does it need to be ground, refrigerated and shielded from light? When it comes to seeds, it's not a competition, so just take a big old chill pill. Hemp, flax, chia - they all can be part of a healthy plant-based diet. Hemp doesn’t need to be ground (like flax) for optimal nutrient absorption, and, like flax or chia, should be stored away from light and high heat. Hemp can be used in cooking and baking up to 350F, whereas ground flaxseed is best tossed on top of something later. Throw some hemp hearts into a smoothie, toss them over a salad or use them in baking muffins or breads.

Will I fail a drug test if I eat hemp?

No need to down three gallons of cranberry juice before you pee on a stick, ladies. Hemp foods won't make you fail a drug test, give you the munchies or deliver any other type of side effect akin to smoking a bowl. The hemp we eat does not contain THC. We interviewed Mike Fata, owner of Manitoba Harvest, about how companies can assure THC-free hemp. He confirmed that regular tests are done as part of a hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) program, which essentially is a management system for food safety. You can and should look for good manufacturing practice (GMP) and HACCP certifications with companies, as it ensures they are reviewed by independent third parties. We were even able to review the HACCP records and the food safety program at Manitoba Harvest on a recent trip to their facilities in Winnipeg. If you're still wary, read some studies on commercial hemp products for more information.

Can I feed hemp to the kiddies?

Some of you asked about whether or not hemp is raw and if you can feed it to your tots. To ensure safety, look for a brand that guarantees products are within a food-safe micro limit. Each lot should be tested and have that certificate of analysis available. To be extra safe with the little ones, you can bake hemp seeds at 350F.

Is hemp fattening?

Hemp, like chia and flax, is a source of essential fatty acids - great fats for healthy hair, skin, nails and hormones. That said, too much of any good thing can be, well, too much. It’s important to choose your fats wisely, like using hemp seeds or oil at one meal and skipping the nuts or avocado. Aim to make your total fat less than 10 grams during any given meal. What are healthy fats? If you need a refresher, check out this nutrition plan for some ideas.

Where can I get it?

To get the highest quality of hemp products, buy them at your local Whole Foods store or order them directly from a company's website.

What brands should I buy?

Our favorites hemp products come from the likes of Manitoba Harvest, Navitas, Nutiva, Purely Elizabeth and Living Harvest.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your hemp on!

And speaking of product referrals...

More than one of our loyal readers pointed out we had our heads up our asses when we referred you to a recipe that called for Splenda in last week's article, "Apples and Arsenic." Boy, did we mess up. No one at Healthy Bitch Daily would ever dream of cooking with an artificial sweetener, much less recommend it to our readers. It was a brain-fart oversight that we'll try not to repeat! Thank you for keeping us in check.

Have a question for Ashley? Write them in the comments section below and we'll get your questions answered.
 

Ashley Koff, R.D., Resident Dietitian
Named among the Top 10 Registered Dietitians in the U.S. by Today’s Dietitian Magazine, Koff appears regularly on national media outlets, including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, Good Morning America Health, CNN, AOL and E!. Koff is also the dietitian for espnW, and the featured dietitian on the CW’s “Shedding for the Wedding” and Lifetime’s “Love Handles.” Koff maintains a private practice, regularly lectures, and works to improve the quality of food choices on the sets of popular shows such as Private Practice, CSI: New York, Big Love, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Bones. Her book, Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged (Hay House, 2011), hits stands later this summer. For more information please visit AshleyKoffRd.com.