There’s a quiet revolution happening in my kitchen. It doesn’t involve matcha whisks or fermented beet shots (although I’ve definitely flirted with both). No, this one is quieter, crunchier, and frankly, way cooler: hemp seeds. Specifically, the ones from Better Option Foods. Yes, the folks powered by plants and rooted in purpose. But let’s back up a sec, because this story doesn’t begin in a supermarket aisle—it begins with a confused Google search: Are hemp seeds the same as, um… the other kind of hemp?

Spoiler: Yes and no. But also, mostly no.

Meet the Unsung Hero of Your Pantry

Before we go further, let’s clear the air: hemp seeds won’t get you high. Unless we’re talking high on life, in which case… maybe. What they will get you is a glorious blend of plant-based protein, omega fatty acids, fiber, magnesium, iron, and basically half the nutrition labels you’ve been scanning like a hawk since you downloaded that health app and decided to “take your mornings seriously.”

I stumbled upon Better Option Foods on a quiet Saturday when I was deep in my “what even is breakfast anymore?” phase. You know the one. You’ve done the smoothie thing. You’ve flirted with overnight oats. You’ve pretended you like chia pudding even though it’s basically frogspawn in a mason jar.

Then I saw the word “hearts” on a package and thought, “Well, that’s sweet.” Turns out, they weren’t going for poetic—they were being anatomical. Hemp hearts are literally the tender inner core of the whole hemp seed. Think of them as the avocado of the seed world: soft, creamy, versatile, and unfairly nutrient-dense.

And so began my love affair with Better Option’s Hemp Hearts and Whole Toasted Hemp Seeds.

Let’s talk about each. But first, some life philosophy, courtesy of a bag of seeds.

Food That Feeds the Planet (And Your Pancakes)

There’s something oddly comforting about eating food that isn’t just good for you but is also a gentle high-five to the planet. Hemp doesn’t need a lot of water; it regenerates the soil, and it grows like it’s on a mission. Which it is. To save us from ourselves. And maybe even look cute doing it.

Better Option Foods gets this on a spiritual level. Born out of the crunchy granola spirit of Cousin Mary Jane (not a fictional character, but a real-life hemp pioneer), this brand walks the fine line between practical and idealistic like a seasoned tightrope artist. Their mission isn’t just “eat these seeds.” It’s “rethink how you live.”

Okay, okay. Back to the pantry.

Hemp Hearts: The Soft-Spoken Genius

You know that friend who doesn’t talk much at parties but quietly ends up solving everyone’s problems and bringing the best dessert? That’s what hemp hearts are like.

Better Option’s Hemp Hearts are raw, shelled, and ready to sprinkle, scoop, swirl, and stir into your life. They’re soft and slightly nutty—kind of like pine nuts if pine nuts weren’t so expensive and fragile. And unlike flaxseeds, which make you feel like you’re chewing on bird feed, these just blend into whatever you’re making.

Here’s how I use them:

1. The Breakfast Glow-Up

I added a tablespoon to my yogurt. Then two. Then four. Suddenly I was that person who “just needs something light in the morning” but is somehow still full at 11 a.m.

They melt into smoothies like a dream, thicken overnight oats without the slime, and add a little body to pancakes without alerting any picky eaters. (Trust me. I have a six-year-old who thinks green things are suspicious.)

2. Salad’s New Best Friend

Let’s be honest: most salads are just socially acceptable boredom. But toss a handful of hemp hearts on top, and suddenly things get interesting. There’s a light crunch, a buttery richness, and that “wait, what IS that?” factor that makes you look like a kitchen wizard.

3. Pesto With a Plot Twist

You haven’t lived until you’ve blended hemp hearts into pesto instead of nuts. It’s smoother, slightly earthier, and makes you feel like you’re starring in a rustic cooking show where you casually mention “sustainability” every third sentence.

Whole Toasted Hemp Seeds: The Crunch You Didn’t Know You Needed

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, we’ve got Whole Toasted Hemp Seeds (No Salt). These are the extroverts of the hemp family. Bold. Crunchy. Snacky. The kind of food you absentmindedly start eating by the handful while waiting for your actual meal to cook.

At first, I thought, “Aren’t these just birdseed?” I mean, they look like something a parrot would love. But then I tasted them, and all doubts disappeared.

These little guys are roasted (gently, not like peanuts at a bar), bringing out this earthy, almost sesame-like nuttiness. And even though they’re unsalted, they’re strangely satisfying—like roasted corn kernels but without the guilt or dental danger.

Here’s how I’ve been loving them:

1. Straight From the Bag

Zero shame. It’s like popcorn’s smarter cousin who studied abroad and came back quoting Michael Pollan.

2. Trail Mix 2.0

Mix them with dried cherries, dark chocolate chunks, and pumpkin seeds. Call it “superfood survival mix.” Or just call it lunch, because that’s what it’s become in my house.

3. On Top of Soup

If you’ve never topped a creamy squash soup with toasted hemp seeds, I don’t want to say you’re doing soup wrong, but… okay, you’re doing soup wrong. They bring texture, warmth, and this inexplicable sense of completion.

4. The Lazy Stir-Fry Secret

Toss them over stir-fried veggies like a garnish. Or better yet, toss them in while cooking. They absorb a bit of sauce, add crunch, and generally behave like the culinary overachievers they are.

The Feel-Good Factor That Feels Good

Look, I’m a sucker for products that claim to be life-changing. I’ve bought the adaptogen powders. I’ve paid way too much for freeze-dried smoothie pucks. And I’ve been burned. (Looking at you, mushroom latte mix.)

But hemp seeds—especially these—feel honest. There’s no weird filler, no aggressive branding, no over-promising. Just seeds. From a farm. Toasted or shelled. Packed with the kind of nutrition that your body immediately knows what to do with.

And if you’re the kind of person who geeks out over food labels, here’s your moment:

•          Complete protein (all 9 essential amino acids)

•          Omega-3 and Omega-6 in a balanced ratio

•          Magnesium, zinc, iron, and other minerals, your multivitamins are probably skimping on

•          Fiber that’s easy on the gut and doesn’t come with any bloating drama

From the Market Stall to Your Morning Routine

I found out later that Better Option Foods is based in Michigan and has a regular stall at Detroit’s Eastern Market. I’ve never been to Michigan. But knowing these seeds come from a small business rooted in community makes me weirdly emotional. Maybe it’s the omegas talking.

They could’ve scaled up. Sold out. Slapped a neon label on their bags and called it “Hemptastic.” But they didn’t. They’re keeping it local, real, and purpose-driven.

It’s the kind of brand you root for. The kind that makes you want to go outside, plant something, and call your mom.

Hemp Dreams and Dinner Plans

So, where does this leave us? If you’re reading this hoping for a tidy conclusion, here it is:

Buy the hemp seeds.

Buy both kinds. Keep one in your fridge and one in your purse if you’re that person. (No judgment—I am.)

Let them transform your breakfast, snacks, and idea of what a seed can be. Let them remind you that food can be deeply nourishing without being complicated. That simple doesn’t mean boring. That “healthy” can be something you crave.

Because Better Option Foods isn’t just selling seeds. They’re offering a way back to something we’ve kind of forgotten: food that’s real. Food that gives more than it takes. Food that feels like a better option—because it is.

And hey, if all else fails, sprinkle some hemp hearts over chocolate ice cream.

Trust me. Game. Changer.