Chia Seeds – What’s All the Hype?

Anyone participating in the Healthy Lifestyle craze that’s been becoming more and more popular (yay!) or already tries to give their body the best nutrients they can, has probably heard of this nifty little food called “Chia Seeds” and how amazing they are for your health.

But what are they? What do they actually do?

I’ve been getting this question a lot from fellow friends and coworkers lately, and to be honest, found myself a little stumped to truly describe how chia seeds benefit us. They’ve just always been called for in some recipes I use and I knew they were good for my body.

So, let’s discuss further into what these fabulous seeds have to offer!

Benefits

“Grown in Mexico and South America, chia seeds are said to have been used by Mayan and Aztec cultures for supernatural powers.” (Hey, they have to be worthwhile somehow then, right?!)

Not only do chia seeds help contribute to making you feel full, get a better night’s sleep, and improve your mood, they have tons of other factors like these:

28 grams, or a one-ounce serving, has 11 grams of dietary fiber which is great for the digestive system. That’s about 1/3 recommended daily intake for most adults.

In one serving (28 grams, 1 ounce) they contain 4.4 grams of protein which is about 10% of an adults daily value. This is a great options for vegetarians to get more protein that they lack from not eating animal products.

They’re packed with omega-3’s fatty acid which is great for brain health. In addition, they are easier for our bodies to digest than flax seed.

Packed with calcium and phosphorus, they’re great for supporting healthy teeth and bones.

“Chia’s stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health.”

 

Quality

Be sure you’re getting the best quality and always buy black or white chia seeds. Red seeds are immature chia seeds and do not contain as many of the nutrients as full grown chia seeds have.

Also, be sure you’re buying from companies you have researched and know you can trust! The last thing you need is more processed food filled with chemicals entering your body when you’re trying to eat clean.

 

Recipes

One of my all time favorite recipes with chia seeds is a super quick breakfast dish. I love having it in the morning with a big ol’ spoon of peanut butter stirred in with it! You have to try this one out!

This particular recipe is for 2-servings; approximately 250 calories.

Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1-2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Optional Toppings (1 serving)

• 1 tbsp all natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup berries
• 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
• 1-2 tsp honey

Directions

1. At night before bed, mix everything together except for the optional toppings. Place it in the fridge overnight.
2. In the morning give it a good stir, and add a scoop of your favorite peanut butter on top or simply add your desired toppings. These are just a few examples, the list can go on and on with great ideas.

 

If you’re looking for more information and some chia seed recipes read this great article with recipes from Thrive Market!

 

Sources

http://www.foodandnutrition.org/January-February-2014/Chia-Seeds-Tiny-Seeds-with-a-Rich-History/

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html