Cook With CBD

Maybe you’ve tried CBD and you’re ready for something new. This nutritionist provides cooking tips and a no-bake recipe.

Can you cook with CBD?

I have seen so many different versions of the product. Some deliver CBD in oil and some in powder. According to Bissex, you can use any form in food using low or no heat, such as in smoothies, salad dressings, and sauces. High heat applications, such as baking, require a more stable product that’s specifically meant for cooking.

If an oil is not crafted for cooking, heating it can cause a loss of terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds in hemp and cannabis that work when you cook with CBD to boost the medicinal benefits.

How much should you use?

Most of the products I’ve seen have a recommended dose on the package. For an oil, that could be 5 to 10 milligrams. Bissex suggests starting with the recommended dose and adding that to your morning smoothie. If you’re making more than one serving, you’ll need to increase the amount of CBD accordingly. If you don’t feel a benefit, you may need to boost the dosage. Her advice is to “start low and go slow,” which sounds smart to me.

Can you store your CBD goodies?

I have a recipe for energy balls that I make pretty regularly (see below). Because they don’t require any cooking, they seemed like a logical place to add CBD. But I was curious how long I could keep them in the refrigerator before it affected the efficacy of the CBD.

Bissex assured me that the CBD should still be active long after my energy balls lose their quality. She recommends storing CBD oil and products made with it in a cool, dry place. Heat, light, and air may cause a degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes. If a good quality CBD oil is stored properly, the CBD should maintain its efficacy for 18 months.

I’ve read that there’s a risk of heavy metal contamination in CBD oil. How do you know if what you’re buying is safe?

Cannabis and hemp are bioaccumulator plants that draw up toxins, such as heavy metals and pesticides, from the soil. That’s why Bissex recommends organically-grown products. Always look for independent lab testing of any CBD product you purchase to confirm what you are getting, as well as the absence of toxins. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration found that nearly 70% of CBD products purchased online were mislabeled, with some containing zero CBD.

I have found that I feel an effect nearly immediately after taking CBD oil or powder, but then it wears off in about an hour. How often can I use it?

Generally, when taking a tincture under the tongue, it is absorbed into the blood within 5 to 15 minutes, and the effect should last 2 to 4 hours, says Bissex. She says that everyone processes CBD differently, so there are variations, but that it’s safe to take another dose as soon as the desired effects (reduction in pain, anxiety, etc.) wear off.

Because the effect of CBD may vary from person to person and because the FDA doesn’t regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements like CBD, talk with your doctor before trying CBD – if for no other reason than to make sure it won’t affect other medications you’re taking.

Cook With CBD: CBD Energy Bites Recipe

Here’s my easy recipe for CBD Energy Bites. I’ll be enjoying a few over the next long weekend with my kids. I recommend starting with one and waiting for any effects to wear off before having another.

Makes 10 balls.

  • 1/2 cup basic gluten-free granola.
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips.
  • 1/4 cup smooth almond butter or sunflower butter, at room temperature.
  • 3 tablespoons honey.
  • 100 milligrams CBD (the actual amount of oil or powder will vary based on the product you use).
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • 1/3 cup chia or sesame seeds.

1. Combine the granola and chocolate chips in a medium mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir the almond or sunflower butter together with the honey, CBD and cinnamon until thoroughly blended. Cover and chill for 10 minutes.

2. Place the chia or sesame seeds in a small bowl. Remove mixture from the fridge. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the mixture, then form it into balls and roll them in the chia or sesame seeds. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Original article by Frances Largeman-Roth, Oct. 29, 2019

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