Chia stills brings Ch..ch..chh… chia to mind for many! You know you've seen the commercials, and you've probably even owned a Chia Pet (if you're lucky!). So now, what's this big craze about eating chia seeds? Chia Seeds seem to become the latest “hip” superfood, but how did they earn this reputation and what are the benefits of eating chia seeds?
Chia Seeds are a superfood for good reason! One serving (about 3 tablespoons) contains 10 grams of fiber and about 5 grams of protein! Did you know that chia seeds have two times the potassium a banana has? How about eight times more omega 3 than salmon? And even three times more iron than spinach! While chia seeds sort of resemble poppy seeds, they swell up like rice when they're soaked. This makes their consistency difficult for some folks to deal with. If you can get past the texture, chia seeds really are awesome! The best way to try them (at first) is in a recipe such as bread.
Tip: Soak your chia seeds before using them, and if you're cooking them, add the chia seeds last so you don't lose nutrients. Soak small amounts of chia seeds at a time – you will be amazed at how much they absorb!
Why Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are rich in protein. They help reduce inflammation, and are full of fiber so they promote healthy digestion as well. Chia seeds strengthen teeth and bones, and can even enhance your mood! Many people use chia seeds for weight loss because they're so high in protein and fiber. Whether you're trying them out as Chia Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies, making the leap and creating gluten-free chia tortillas, or “indulging” in one of the many chia pudding recipes, you'll notice the benefits almost immediately! Just like with other fibrous foods, start slow… you don't want to get your tummy all wonky on the first day!
Chia seeds are available at some major grocery chains and health food stores. You can also order them fromVitacost and Amazon carries the white and black.
Delicious Chia Seed Recipes
- Strawberry Chia Seed Smoothie
- Chocolate Chia Seed Cookies
- Lemon Poppy Seed Chia Loaf
- Chocolate Pistachio Chia Shake
- Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets
- Chia and Pumpkin Seed Cookies
- Gluten-Free Blackberry Oat Bars
- More Chia Seed Recipes
Don't forget to follow my Chia Seed Recipe board on Pinterest for even more ideas on how to get this nutritional powerhouse into your diet!
Have you tried any chia seed recipes lately? Let me know in the comments!
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A friend was just telling me about these, and all I could think about was the chia pets too! She said she just puts a tablespoon in her orange juice in the morning and drinks it before they swell up. Do you know if you still get the nutrients that way? That lemon chia seed loaf sounds delicious!
You still get the nutrients even if they haven’t plumped up yet. I might have to try them in juice for my middle son. He doesn’t like the texture once they swell up, so I sneak them into smoothies and baked goods for him.