You’ve probably come across tofu before if you’re trying to cut down on meat, or if you’re simply looking to explore more natural cuisine. But the latest addition to the plant-based alternatives list is seitan, which is finding its way into everything from restaurants to your favorite vegan recipes.
What is seitan?
Seitan is a vegan meat alternative made from hydrated gluten, which is the main protein found in wheat. Seitan is made by kneading wheat flour with water to develop sticky strands of gluten protein. The dough is then washed to remove the starch. What’s left is pure gluten protein, which can be seasoned, cooked, and used in vegan or vegetarian dishes as a tasty meat substitute.
Is seitan healthy?
While it is true that it consists almost entirely of wheat gluten, it is still a nutritious food, rich in protein and minerals, and low in carbohydrates and fat.
Seitan is also low in carbohydrates, as all of the starch typically found in wheat flour is removed during the manufacturing process. One serving contains just four grams of carbohydrates.
Since wheat grains are virtually fat-free, seitan also contains very little fat. In fact, one serving contains just 0.5 grams of fat.
How to start eating seitan?
One way to introduce Seitan into your diet and see if you like it is by buying pre-prepared meals that already use seitan as a source of protein. Here we can highlight the 2-Bean Chili with Seitan from Plantz, high in protein, affordable and delivered to your home.