Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia
I can’t help but sing the song “ch-ch-ch-chia” every time I talk about these tiny little seeds that made their debut by growing hair on a terracotta head! Through the years, they have become quite the talk of the town in the superfood world, and rightfully so. They are a great nutrient rich powerhouse to add to your diet.
In addition to tons of Omega 3 Fatty Acids for brain and heart health, chia seeds offer many health benefits, including:
Great source of vegan protein – they are a complete protein, which means they have all the essential amino acids
Good for digestion as its a source of magnesium, phosphorous and fiber
Tons of fiber (we all know why that’s good!)
Massive amounts of nutrients (27+ vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids) with very few calories
Loaded with antioxidants to get rid of all the toxins
Lowers the risk of heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes because it improves blood markers
High in bone nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and protein
Great, How Do I Eat Them?
You can sprinkle them in smoothies, bake with them, make chia pudding and create fun drinks. Always make sure to soak your chia seeds until gelatinous for better digestion.
Chia Pudding is all the rage these days. Chocolate, raspberry, mango coconut…you can make whatever kind of pudding you want to have for breakfast or a snack simply by mixing some chia, nut milk, fruit, and spices.
I love chia pudding, but I also really like to make chia drinks every once in a while to switch things up. My girls really like them, too. These are a great way to power up for after school sports practices.
Here’s how I make a chia drink:
Soak 3 T. Chia Seeds in 1 cup water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Pour the chia “gel” into a glass, then add whatever kind of juice you want (try to use 100% juice). Try a mixture of ½ gel and ½ juice. Stir, and drink up for a fun and energizing afternoon pick-me-up! You can get creative with these, using lemonade, raspberry lemonade or even iced tea.
Whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner, chia seeds can add a nutritional boost to your day without the extra sugar, calories or heaviness.