Post by the Scribe on Nov 12, 2020 6:06:35 GMT
What’s A Good Spirulina Substitute?
Spirulina is an ancient Chadian and Aztec food that also happens to be very nutrient-dense. It consists of blue-green algae that grow in freshwater. While it does provide a rare combination of nutrients, there are alternatives that you can try if you can’t find it locally. Let’s take a look at some of the best spirulina substitutes.
Your best bet: Chlorella
Like spirulina, chlorella is a freshwater microorganism — algae — full of nutrients. Chlorella contains more chlorophyll than any other plant (include spirulina) and is an excellent source of beta carotene. It contains 10 times as much beta carotene as carrots. Chlorella contains many of the same vitamins and minerals as spirulina. You can get B vitamins and iron from chlorella as well as magnesium and potassium. Chlorella contains more riboflavin and vastly more iron than spirulina. Chlorella is also rich in protein and healthy fats like oleic acid.
There are some differences between the two such as the fact that spirulina is a blue-green alga while chlorella is a green alga. Usually, chlorella offers about the same amount of protein as spirulina but some strains can offer more. Chlorella provides more omega 3 fatty acids.
Chlorella tastes a lot like spirulina with a similar green, herbal flavor but chlorella tastes grassier than spirulina. Spirulina has more of a seaweed flavor.
A decent second choice: Moringa
Both moringa and spirulina have been classified by many nutritionists as superfoods. Both are packed with nutrients. They are also rare among plan foods in that they are complete proteins, which makes them important for vegans. Most plant foods are limited in terms of protein content but moringa and spirulina provide the nine essential amino acids the body needs. Moringa does not have as much protein as spirulina, though it still provides a significant amount and compensates with higher levels of vitamins E and K. Moringa provides more iron, calcium and potassium as well.
If you want to get more nutrients in your diet, moringa is an excellent alternative to spirulina.
The flavor profiles of both moringa and spirulina are herbaceous but subtle so you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference in taste.
Moringa can provide you with superior antioxidant protection when compared to spirulina since it contains a greater number of antioxidant compounds.
In a pinch: Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass consists of wheat seedlings, which are usually juiced. Like spirulina and the other spirulina alternatives on this list, wheatgrass contains many nutrients. It is rich in chlorophyll and provides you with high doses of vitamins A and E along with B vitamins like riboflavin and thiamin.
It contains high levels of minerals as well and can provide iron and magnesium in addition to a large amount of fiber. Wheatgrass is considerably richer in fiber than spirulina and the substitutes for it listed above. Just like spirulina, wheatgrass contains antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and your risk of cancer.
Wheatgrass does have more of a noticeable flavor when you compare it to spirulina. It is mildly bitter and grassy but you may be able to hide the bitterness by combining it with sweet fruits or honey.
Other alternatives
Barley grass is another superfood with a reputation for its high levels of the same important nutrients that you get from spirulina. In particular, it is known to provide vitamin B1 and calcium. Barley grass is made from the young leaves of the barley plant and is rich in fiber.
Spirulina and moringa are both known for their extensive array of health benefits. They are so nutritious that many people deem them superfoods. Processed spirulina and moringa powder also look alike in that they are both green powders. Beyond those similarities, they are very different. Below, we will take a closer look at spirulina and moringa.
How does spirulina differ from moringa?
Spirulina is an alga that grows in Central and South America as well as in Chad. Spirulina has been used since the time of the Aztecs while the Chadian version goes all the way back to the 9th century Kanembu Empire. Moringa is made with the pods and leaves of a tree from India. Moringa has been used for its health benefits since the time of the Ancient Greeks who used it, as did the Ancient Romans.
Moringa Powder vs MatchaMoringa
While both spirulina and moringa are complete proteins (they each have all nine essential amino acids), they differ a lot in terms of how much protein you get from a serving. Gram for gram, spirulina has more than twice as much protein as moringa.
On the other hand, moringa wins out in the mineral category with more than 10 times the calcium of spirulina and more than five times the iron. Moringa has more fiber and vastly more vitamin A as well. Spirulina has vitamin B1, which you won’t get from moringa. It also has slightly more vitamin C, though there isn’t much of a difference.
Note that the lower fiber content of spirulina may deliver a minor benefit since it means that it is more easily digestible.
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Spirulina has natural antihistamine properties that don’t exist in moringa. Spirulina may help to reduce histamine and nasal inflammation.
Spirulina has a more intensely savory flavor than moringa. There are also some concerns about safety with spirulina that do not exist with moringa. Researchers have found that while most spirulina supplements are safe, some are contaminated with microcystin toxin.
Can you use spirulina in place of moringa and vice versa?
www.spiceography.com/spirulina-vs-moringa/?network%20recirc=bibblio
From an appearance standpoint, both will provide the same bright green color. Similarly, the two ingredients have a more or less similar flavor profile despite coming from dramatically different sources.
Their flavor profiles each have strong herbal notes with hints of sulfur similar to that of cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables. While moringa does have a slight peppery edge, spirulina and moringa should work as decent substitutes for each other in most preparations.
Because of the nutritional differences, you may need to add more spirulina when using it in place of moringa. Adding more makes up for the fact that its mineral content is lower than that of moringa. If your goal is to get more protein in your diet, you may need to use more moringa if you are using it to replace spirulina.
Other health benefits of moringa include antiviral benefits that you won’t get from spirulina. If those benefits are what you want, spirulina may not be the best moringa substitute.
When should you use spirulina and when should you use moringa?
Spirulina’s flavor is a little more on the savory side, so it works better in soups and salad dressings. Use it to add flavor and color to hummus. Moringa has a little less of the umami quality so it makes a great addition to fruit smoothies or simply sprinkled over fresh fruit.
Spirulina is an ancient Chadian and Aztec food that also happens to be very nutrient-dense. It consists of blue-green algae that grow in freshwater. While it does provide a rare combination of nutrients, there are alternatives that you can try if you can’t find it locally. Let’s take a look at some of the best spirulina substitutes.
Your best bet: Chlorella
Like spirulina, chlorella is a freshwater microorganism — algae — full of nutrients. Chlorella contains more chlorophyll than any other plant (include spirulina) and is an excellent source of beta carotene. It contains 10 times as much beta carotene as carrots. Chlorella contains many of the same vitamins and minerals as spirulina. You can get B vitamins and iron from chlorella as well as magnesium and potassium. Chlorella contains more riboflavin and vastly more iron than spirulina. Chlorella is also rich in protein and healthy fats like oleic acid.
There are some differences between the two such as the fact that spirulina is a blue-green alga while chlorella is a green alga. Usually, chlorella offers about the same amount of protein as spirulina but some strains can offer more. Chlorella provides more omega 3 fatty acids.
Chlorella tastes a lot like spirulina with a similar green, herbal flavor but chlorella tastes grassier than spirulina. Spirulina has more of a seaweed flavor.
A decent second choice: Moringa
Both moringa and spirulina have been classified by many nutritionists as superfoods. Both are packed with nutrients. They are also rare among plan foods in that they are complete proteins, which makes them important for vegans. Most plant foods are limited in terms of protein content but moringa and spirulina provide the nine essential amino acids the body needs. Moringa does not have as much protein as spirulina, though it still provides a significant amount and compensates with higher levels of vitamins E and K. Moringa provides more iron, calcium and potassium as well.
If you want to get more nutrients in your diet, moringa is an excellent alternative to spirulina.
The flavor profiles of both moringa and spirulina are herbaceous but subtle so you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference in taste.
Moringa can provide you with superior antioxidant protection when compared to spirulina since it contains a greater number of antioxidant compounds.
In a pinch: Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass consists of wheat seedlings, which are usually juiced. Like spirulina and the other spirulina alternatives on this list, wheatgrass contains many nutrients. It is rich in chlorophyll and provides you with high doses of vitamins A and E along with B vitamins like riboflavin and thiamin.
It contains high levels of minerals as well and can provide iron and magnesium in addition to a large amount of fiber. Wheatgrass is considerably richer in fiber than spirulina and the substitutes for it listed above. Just like spirulina, wheatgrass contains antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and your risk of cancer.
Wheatgrass does have more of a noticeable flavor when you compare it to spirulina. It is mildly bitter and grassy but you may be able to hide the bitterness by combining it with sweet fruits or honey.
Other alternatives
Barley grass is another superfood with a reputation for its high levels of the same important nutrients that you get from spirulina. In particular, it is known to provide vitamin B1 and calcium. Barley grass is made from the young leaves of the barley plant and is rich in fiber.
Spirulina and moringa are both known for their extensive array of health benefits. They are so nutritious that many people deem them superfoods. Processed spirulina and moringa powder also look alike in that they are both green powders. Beyond those similarities, they are very different. Below, we will take a closer look at spirulina and moringa.
How does spirulina differ from moringa?
Spirulina is an alga that grows in Central and South America as well as in Chad. Spirulina has been used since the time of the Aztecs while the Chadian version goes all the way back to the 9th century Kanembu Empire. Moringa is made with the pods and leaves of a tree from India. Moringa has been used for its health benefits since the time of the Ancient Greeks who used it, as did the Ancient Romans.
Moringa Powder vs MatchaMoringa
While both spirulina and moringa are complete proteins (they each have all nine essential amino acids), they differ a lot in terms of how much protein you get from a serving. Gram for gram, spirulina has more than twice as much protein as moringa.
On the other hand, moringa wins out in the mineral category with more than 10 times the calcium of spirulina and more than five times the iron. Moringa has more fiber and vastly more vitamin A as well. Spirulina has vitamin B1, which you won’t get from moringa. It also has slightly more vitamin C, though there isn’t much of a difference.
Note that the lower fiber content of spirulina may deliver a minor benefit since it means that it is more easily digestible.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
Table Salt Vs. Sea Salt
Spirulina has natural antihistamine properties that don’t exist in moringa. Spirulina may help to reduce histamine and nasal inflammation.
Spirulina has a more intensely savory flavor than moringa. There are also some concerns about safety with spirulina that do not exist with moringa. Researchers have found that while most spirulina supplements are safe, some are contaminated with microcystin toxin.
Can you use spirulina in place of moringa and vice versa?
www.spiceography.com/spirulina-vs-moringa/?network%20recirc=bibblio
From an appearance standpoint, both will provide the same bright green color. Similarly, the two ingredients have a more or less similar flavor profile despite coming from dramatically different sources.
Their flavor profiles each have strong herbal notes with hints of sulfur similar to that of cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables. While moringa does have a slight peppery edge, spirulina and moringa should work as decent substitutes for each other in most preparations.
Because of the nutritional differences, you may need to add more spirulina when using it in place of moringa. Adding more makes up for the fact that its mineral content is lower than that of moringa. If your goal is to get more protein in your diet, you may need to use more moringa if you are using it to replace spirulina.
Other health benefits of moringa include antiviral benefits that you won’t get from spirulina. If those benefits are what you want, spirulina may not be the best moringa substitute.
When should you use spirulina and when should you use moringa?
Spirulina’s flavor is a little more on the savory side, so it works better in soups and salad dressings. Use it to add flavor and color to hummus. Moringa has a little less of the umami quality so it makes a great addition to fruit smoothies or simply sprinkled over fresh fruit.