Can lotus seeds be eaten as a snack?

Generally speaking, lotus seeds can be eaten as snacks, but it is not recommended to consume them in large quantities. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Fresh lotus seeds, after removing their shells, have plump and juicy flesh with a crisp and sweet taste, accompanied by a subtle fragrance of lotus, offering a refreshing sensory experience. Dried lotus seeds, when simply processed—such as by roasting after mixing with a small amount of salt or sugar—become soft, chewy, and fragrant, providing a long-lasting pleasant taste. Moreover, lotus seeds are rich in nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium. As snacks, they can satisfy hunger during leisure time while supplying essential nutrients to the body. The dietary fiber also promotes intestinal motility and, being free of harmful additives, lotus seeds are considered relatively healthy natural snacks.

Fresh lotus seeds are relatively cooling in nature and should not be consumed in excess by individuals with cold constitutions to avoid discomforts such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. For dried lotus seeds processed with honey or sugar, attention should be paid to sugar intake, and diabetic patients should be particularly cautious. Additionally, when consuming lotus seeds with the germ included, one should consider their tolerance for bitterness. Although lotus seed germs have certain health benefits, they have a strong bitter taste, so whether to remove them can be decided based on personal preference.