Calories in Edamame

Edamame looks similar to peas, because it is a round small green vegetable contained in pods. It is commonly called soybean, and is harvested at the peak of ripening, before the vegetable reaches the hardening time. The meaning of its name is 'beans on branches'. It grows in clusters on bushy branches, and hand picked.

To enjoy it fresh, it is either quickly frozen or parboiled. In the Eastern region of Asia, soybean has been used for over two thousand years as a large source of protein. It can be cooked in many ways or also consumed raw. It is consumed as snack, added to vegetable dishes, added to soups or processed to make sweets.

To eat it as a snack, the fresh pods of this plant are lightly boiled in salted water, then the seeds are squeezed directly from the pods into the mouth with the fingers.

• There are 102 calories, in half cup of cooked steamed edamame with salt.
• Frozen shelled half cup of edamame, has around 100 calories.
• There are around 150 calories in 1 shell, for a serving of 100 grams.
• There are around 90 calories in the beans, in a serving of 75 grams.

• For half cup serving of shelled beans, the calories are 110.
• ¼ cup, dry roasted edamame, calories are 130.
• There are around 120 edamame calories in pod, for half cup of frozen variety.

As you must have noticed from the above figures on calories, This plant is a low-calorie source, that is rich in protein. Having a half cup of young beans of edamame can give you all nine of the essential amino acids. The fat in this beans are good fats that help to lower the levels of cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart diseases.

It is a good source of fiber, and thus, help to keep the body clean. Isoflavones found in edamame vegetable or other soy products help in lowering the risk of heart diseases.

When it is used in a diet as a protein source in place of meat, its cardiovascular benefits get even more enhanced. Itis also a good source of folate and vitamin K. Folate is essential to keep the fetus healthy, and thus, is an important nutrient for pregnant women. Vitamin K helps in clotting blood.

The isoflavones in it greatly help to maintain bone density by exerting an estrogen like effect on the bone tissue. It is also a good source of calcium, and thus, helps to maintain strong bones and teeth.

Edamame also has antioxidant properties, that help to remove the toxins out of the body and protect cells. It also greatly helps to decrease the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Given before were the health benefits of this nutritious plant, and the amount of calories in its various forms like shell, cooked, and raw. These green soybeans are an integral part of Asian cuisine and has become increasingly popular among health conscious Americans.

This is a tasty, fresh, and quick-to-make healthy snack, that is served in many Japanese restaurants. This plant is also quick to make snacks, and good for your salty cravings. Whenever you feel like munching on some chips, you can just boil edamame with some salt, and eat this vegetable as a snack, instead of gorging on unhealthy junk like potato chips.