Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 12 hrs ago
Dietitian recommends adding seeds to meals for protein, fiber and healthy fats
Dietitian Natalie Rizzo recommends adding a handful of seeds to meals and snacks.
Seeds such as pumpkin, hemp, chia and sunflower provide plant-based protein and unsaturated fats.
Many also contain fiber, magnesium and other nutrients.
Three tablespoons of hemp seeds have about 10 grams of protein, while two tablespoons of chia seeds have about 10 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein.
These nutrients can make seeds an easy way to boost the nutrition of a meal.
Rizzo suggests sprinkling them on yogurt, oatmeal, salads, grain bowls, toast or pasta.
The advice is to use seeds as a crunchy topping that adds flavor and texture with little effort.
A dietitian recommends adding a handful of seeds to meals and snacks to increase their nutritional value.
Seeds provide healthy unsaturated fats, plant-based protein and fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Natalie Rizzo says seeds can be sprinkled over foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, salads and grain bowls.
Three tablespoons of hemp seeds contain about 10 grams of protein, while an ounce of pumpkin seeds has about 8 grams.
A 2-tablespoon serving of chia seeds provides 10 grams of fiber and around 6 grams of protein.
- Who
- Natalie Rizzo, a registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor, recommends adding seeds to meals.
- What
- She advises using seeds to add healthy fats, protein and fiber to meals and snacks.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Seeds can be added to foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, salads and grain bowls.
- Why
- Seeds provide nutrients including unsaturated fats, plant-based protein and fiber.
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- Hemp seeds
- 3 tablespoons contain about 10 grams of protein
- Pumpkin seeds
- 1 ounce contains about 8 grams of protein
- Chia seeds
- A 2-tablespoon serving provides 10 grams of fiber and around 6 grams of protein
- Examples of seeds
- Pumpkin, chia, sunflower, sesame, flax and hemp
- Article publication
- October 12, 2026
What people are saying
One of my favorite nutrition hacks is adding a handful of seeds to meals and snacks
Pumpkin, hemp, chia and sunflower seeds are all great sources of healthy unsaturated fats, and they also provide plant-based protein
I love sprinkling seeds over yogurt, oatmeal, salads or grain bowls for an easy way to boost the nutrition of a meal without much extra effort










