Seaweed pasta and even bacon-flavoured seaweed are among new products  hitting grocery shelves and online stores as manufacturers move to capitalise on its new superfood status.^1-3

The most commonly consumed form of seaweed is nori, the wrap around a sushi roll, but more than 30 edible seaweeds have been identified around the world.⁴

The Australia Health Survey in 2011-13 suggested that Australians on average ate three grams of sushi a day, which could include seaweed, but it’s estimated that in Japan, daily consumption of seaweed is about five grams.^5,6

Seaweed is a type of algae that comes in red, green, purple or brown colours, and contains as many as 30 different nutrients including fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s also low in energy, carbohydrates, sugars and fats.