Q&A for How to Eat Sunflower Seeds

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  • Question
    Is it hygienically healthy to put shelled seeds in the mouth? We don't know how they were stored previously.
    Community Answer
    If you take the seeds out of an undamaged bag, they come from a factory, meaning they have to submit to food hygiene laws. If the seeds are open or from a bowl, your mileage may vary. If one is pedantic, the question of whether food is safe could be asked of any food that was not 100% created yourself from production to table.
  • Question
    What is a normal serving size of sunflower seeds?
    Community Answer
    According to the nutrition label on a bag of David's sunflower seeds, a serving is 1/4 cup, or 30 g of kernels (the edible interior bits).
  • Question
    What does eating sunflower seeds do?
    Community Answer
    It's just a healthy snack that some people like.
  • Question
    Do I need to eat the seed or should I suck on the shell and spit it out?
    Community Answer
    Most people spit out the shell and eat the seed, but you may enjoy your seeds as you like.
  • Question
    What would happen if I ate the shells of the seeds? I heard that they clog your system, is this correct?
    Community Answer
    Yes, eating the shells can cause a pretty bad case of constipation. A few probably won't impact your system that much, but definitely try not to eat too many.
  • Question
    Why are shells flavored if they're not the part you eat?
    Community Answer
    Most people put the shells in their mouths and crack the shells with their teeth, so they taste the flavoring.
  • Question
    Where should I spit out the shells?
    Community Answer
    Throw them into the garbage can. They can inhibit the growth of many plants, so make sure you do not spit them out onto the ground.
  • Question
    What are some good flavors for sunflower seeds?
    Community Answer
    It's all in your preference. My personal favorite is chipotle, however, it's a bit on the spicy side. You should just experiment with different flavors.
  • Question
    Can we eat them raw?
    Community Answer
    Raw sunflower seeds are the best, however sometimes you can find roasted seeds.
  • Question
    How do I eat sunflower seeds without the shell?
    Community Answer
    Just put them in your mouth and chew. These are just tips on how to get the seeds out of the shell to eat the seed.
  • Question
    Can I eat the shell?
    Community Answer
    No! You may choke, and there may be harmful pesticides or chemicals on the shell. Avoid eating the shell. However, you should be fine if you only eat a small amount of shell shards.
  • Question
    Are sunflower kernels the same?
    Community Answer
    Sunflower kernels are the edible bit inside, while sunflower seeds include the shells, too.
  • Question
    Can I eat sunflower seeds straight from my garden, or do I need to dry them in the oven first?
    Community Answer
    Some people prefer them raw and others roasted. They are not at all harmless if not roasted.
  • Question
    My sunflower seeds are black. Is that normal?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is normal. There are different varieties of sunflowers with different colors of seeds.
  • Question
    Can I eat the shell? It seems tasty.
    Thewildfred
    Community Answer
    No, you may suck them but don’t ever swallow them. They are not edible or digestible and they could be a chocking hazard or clog your system
  • Question
    How do you tell the difference between the shell and the seed?
    Urmomisfat
    Community Answer
    The shell is black and rough on the tongue, while the seed is pale and smooth.
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