Hemp seeds and hemp hearts stem from the annual hemp plant called Cannabis Sativa, which is one of the fastest growing plants in the world¹. While hemp has only recently gained more popularity, hemp seeds and hemp hearts have been used as food and medicine for hundreds of years due to their high nutrient composition and healing abilities². Currently the largest producers of hemp are Canada, Australia and China.

Hemp seeds are the whole brown seed kernel that is extracted from the hemp plant. It has a hard outer shell where most of the seed’s fiber is stored. When you think of hemp seeds think brown, hard, crunchy outer with a soft chewy center. The seed has a slightly bitter taste.

The soft, chewy center from the hemp seed is the hemp heart! Hemp hearts come from hemp seeds. When the seed is broken (known as shelled or hulled), the hemp heart is released. Hemp hearts are a creamy white color with a very subtle flavor. Some brands refer to hemp hearts as hemp seeds so make sure you check the visual image on the front of the bag, or the words ‘shelled’ or ‘hulled’ to ensure you know what you are purchasing.

The list of nutrients hemp hearts offer is extensive as they are full of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Most notably, hemp seeds are known for:

PROTEIN

• Hemp hearts are a complete protein meaning it contains all 9-essential amino acids⁸. While most animal protein is also complete, this is rare for plant protein which is usually missing some of the amino acids your body needs. Essential amino acids are important to consume as our bodies cannot make them.
  
• Hemp hearts are a high-quality plant protein⁸. They have better protein digestibility and PDCAAS scores than hemp seeds and even better than some grains, nuts and pulses⁶. Not all food protein is created equal and your body's ability to absorb and use protein from foods differs depending on the food being consumed. PDCAAS scores measure the nutritional quality of a protein⁷ and your body’s ability to use that protein for overall nourishment. Proteins from meat sources usually have better PDCAAS scores than those from plant sources, but hemp protein is well up there!

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

• Hemp hearts contains high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for the brain, nervous system, heart and overall great health.
• Hemp hearts contain the perfect ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 in the body (3 to 1) which is considered optimal for human nutrition⁸. This ratio is difficult to find, which makes hemp a great source of omega fatty acids overall.

MAGNESIUM

• Magnesium plays so many crucial roles in the body which is why it is important to keep up with this mighty mineral. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body⁹.
• Magnesium is associated with over 600 enzymatic processes in the body⁹, and is commonly associated with supporting brain activity, mood and even sleep through its natural ability to calm the nervous system¹⁰.
• Hemp hearts are an excellent source of magnesium. Just one tablespoon of Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts with Vitamin D & Probiotics provides your toddler with 70% of their daily recommended intake. This is a great boost because toddlers sweat a lot and magnesium is easily lost through sweat!

Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts also have the added benefit of vitamin D + probiotics. The vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and magnesium to support bone development, while the probiotics help support both the digestive & immune health.

Children have the highest nutrient needs in their first years of life as they are undergoing rapid growth & development. Because hemp hearts are so nutrient-rich and an easy addition to any food, they can help fill nutritional gaps that occur due to picky eating and elevated nutrition needs.

Below are some of the main reasons why little ones should be eating hemp hearts daily. The benefits of consuming hemp hearts are so great that we think you should be eating them daily too! Healthy kids become healthy adults and hemp hearts help support lifelong health and well-being.

• From their muscles down to bones, hemp hearts help your kids grow strong.
  
  The quality of protein found in hemp is better used by the body for growth versus many other plant proteins from other grains, nuts or seeds.
  
  Protein is important for growing kids as it provides the building blocks for their muscles, bones, and brain. It also provides them with the energy they need to grow and develop.
  
  Protein needs are ~20–60% greater in children vs. adults because of their rapid growth and demanding metabolism¹¹. Just one tablespoon of Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts + Vitamin D & Probiotics provides 3g of protein for a toddler which is over 20% of their daily protein needs!
  
• Hemp hearts help support brain development.
  
  Hemp hearts are high in omega 3 fatty acids which promote brain development¹⁶.
  
  Hemp hearts also contain iron which is another very important nutrient for babies and kids. Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency for kids in the world and our little ones are at the greatest risk of becoming deficient due to their rapid growth¹². Iron deficiency can lead to lower cognitive, motor and social-emotional development¹³. One tablespoon of Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts + Vitamin D & Probiotics provides a toddler with 15% of the iron they need in a day!
  
  Hemp hearts contain so many other nutrients that influence brain development; vitamin B6 which has shown to play a role in learning and memory¹⁴, zinc which supports, learning, attention and mood¹⁵, magnesium which is also considered crucial for brain activity¹⁹ and many more!
  
• Hemp hearts may help regulate mood and promote good sleep patterns.
  
  Magnesium is known to have a natural soothing and relaxing effect on the nervous system, which can keep your little ones calm and help facilitate sleep¹⁷. In one study, magnesium supplementation improved sleep efficiency, sleep time and even early morning awakening¹⁸. However, we do not recommend giving your little one magnesium supplements when it can be obtained through natural food sources. One tablespoon of Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts + Vitamin D & Probiotics provides 70% of a toddler’s magnesium needs!
  
  While studies are still limited, magnesium has also been shown to possibly improve the symptoms of children who are hyperactive, have ADHD or Autism. Children with these behaviors have been shown to have low levels of magnesium in their body¹⁹.
• Hemp hearts help support immune system.
  
  Zinc is one of the most important minerals that can support a growing child’s immune system²⁰. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses, fights the common cold, and even helps wounds heal faster²¹. All of this is great for our little ones as they are bound to get sick and experience some cuts and bruises as they grow and explore the world.
  
  One tablespoon of Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts + Vitamin D & Probiotics provides a toddler with 25% of their recommended daily zinc intake. This is a great and easy immunity boost all year round.
• Hemp hearts offer lifelong health benefits.
  
  Hemp consumption has been shown to have many benefits when it comes to cardiovascular health³, reducing overall risk of heart disease in the future.
  
  The high levels of antioxidants, combined with the omega-3s, also protect against several types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, and other health issues, contributing to lifelong health benefits.

We recommend the following serving sizes:

• 2 tsp serving (5g) for babies ages 6-12 months
• 1 tbsp serving (8g) for children ages 1-3 years
• 2 tbsp serving (16g) for kids 4+ years

Though the risk of allergy is very low, start off by introducing hemp hearts slowly over the course of a couple of days, as you would with any new food you offer your little one.

Hemp hearts can be added, baked, mixed or sprinkled onto all foods and beverages that you and your little ones already enjoy!

Also, the probiotic included in Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts + Vitamin D & Probiotics is heat-stable, which means it can be added to any hot food without losing the probiotic benefit.

Below are some ideas to get you started. Also, check out www.tinysproutsfoods.com for some fun & easy recipe ideas using hemp hearts!

• Mix into oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies or overnight oats
• Mix into any baby food puree (store-bought or homemade!)
• Sprinkle on avocado toast, scrambled eggs, pizza, pasta or noodles
• Bake into any of your little one’s favorite treats!

Because they are virtually tasteless and have a neutral color, hemp hearts are very easy to ‘hide’ into your little one’s favorite foods. And while this tactic works for some, we encourage you to show your child what you are including into their meals to help teach healthy eating habits from the start. Your little one’s will love that you are sprinkling some ‘supersprinkles’ into their foods…'supersprinkles' that help them transform into superkids! Have fun with it! And don’t forget, super parents deserve great nutrition too, so make sure you are adding some Tiny Sprouts Organic Hemp Hearts with Vitamin D & Probiotics into your meals as well!