Move Over Kale, 2016 Is All About Spirulina

Kale was made famous with chips and smoothies, but now another green is taking over the wellness scene. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that can be found in freshwater lakes or ponds. Similar to meat and eggs, spirulina is a complete protein, meaning it has a balance of all nine amino acids. The protein happens to be easy to digest as well, more so than red meat and soy.

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No need to worry, spirulina does not come straight from the pond. Instead, it is harvested with filters, washed in fresh water, and then dried by spray drying machines, according to Nuts.com, a website that delivers healthy items, such as spirulina, to your door. Not only is spirulina a healthy protein source, it also contains vitamins A through E, iron, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. It is easy for your body to digest because its cell walls have no cellulose, making it 85 to 95 percent digestible, which is higher than any other common plant. You can add spirulina to your smoothies, salads, salad dressing, or dips, by mixing one teaspoon of the powder to reap the benefits.

The accompanying slideshow is provided by special contributor Marcy Franklin.