Ch-ch-ch-chia Seeds! What’s the big deal about the seeds that come from those Chia Pet plants… and why do they cost so much?? Well let me just say, next time you go to the grocery store, you’re going to want to put these little gems on your list.
What?
- Chia seeds are edible seeds from a desert plant, part of the mint family.
- They were used as far back as the Mayan and Aztec culture because of their natural ability to boost energy.
- They are unprocessed, whole grain food that can be absorbed by the body in seed form (unlike flaxseed, which needs to be ground) making it easy to add them to food or drinks.
- They are organic, non GMO and naturally gluten free.
- Chia seeds contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and carbohydrates.
Why?
- Despite their tiny size, they are one of the most nutritional foods on the planet. One ounce (2 TBS) contains:
- 139 healthy calories
- 5 grams of protein
- 9 grams of fat (5 of which are Omega-3s)
- 11 grams of fiber – 40% of recommended daily amount
- Vitamins and minerals
- They are the richest plant source of Omega 3’s, which assist in protecting against arthritis and heart disease.
- They are able to absorb up to 10x their weight in liquid, forming a gel-like substance. This results in providing hydration (great for athletes!) and also keeps you feeling full longer.
How?
Chia seeds can be added to almost anything! You can sprinkle them raw on yogurt or oatmeal, water or smoothies. They can even be used as an egg replacement in recipes ( 1 TBS chia + 3 TBS water). Here are some unbelievably EASY recipes you can make to incorporate this super food!
Overnight Chia Blueberry Pudding– a sweet snack or dessert
Cinnamon Chia Granola– great for topping on yogurt, eating with milk or as a snack.
Banana Oat Muffins – great to grab for breakfast or a snack on the go!
Eating healthy is so important! Your body NEEDS nutriet-dense foods… Let me know how YOU choose chia!
Eat, Lift & Be Married 
Thank you Paulita for the info, very good to know. I used to have chia “”water in México but never knew how good they are.
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They are from a Mexican plant! Was it called chia fresca? That is very easy to make- chia seeds, water, lemon and a little sweetener!
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I love that you can add them to just about anything and it doesn’t change the taste or anything. It’s just an extra dose of healthy goodness 🙂 the only downside is they get stuck in my teeth like crazy haha
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I put them in smoothies, oatmeal and on top of cereal!
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Same! I’ve also tried the almond milk with chia and the muffin recipe I posted. Next recipe will be the granola!
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Haha true… and their price tag!
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Hi Paula,
Research has indicated that chia seeds must be ground for significant absorption of their fatty acid content, even though antioxidant and fibrous benefits are still present in both states. Links below.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22830971
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Ill take a look into that, thanks!
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