Okay, since the New Year is upon us and we all have dreams of eating healthier in 2014, I thought I would introduce you to the lovely chia seed today. You will be rockin’ motherhood when you start using creative methods to sneak this superfood into all your meals.
But before we continue…if you haven’t stopped over at Pick Your Plum yet, they are having a HUGE blowout sale today and their stuff is ridiculously cute and cheap! Beware though, this site is my total weakness…kryptonite…Achilles’ heel…you name it.
Okay..continuing on..
I was recently introduced to the lovely chia seeds a few months ago when I heard that my aunt was managing her diabetes by eating chia seeds before each meal. Since Diabetes runs in my family, I was all ears.
I now use them everyday. Thank you mom!
My mom could be the first to tell you that I was all about natural remedies growing up as long as I didn’t have to taste them! What makes chia seeds such a remarkable SUPERFOOD? The fact that I can take them by mouth and they don’t really taste like anything! Brownie point #1.
I know you are dying to ask me:
What are the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds?
well…since you asked…
Health Benefits of Chia Seeds: the list goes on and on!
They Regulate Blood Sugar and aid in weight loss. Hence why they have been known to help control Diabetes…
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fatty acids, resulting in better cognitive performance and reduction in cholesterol and inflammation.
Fiber! Just 2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds have 10 grams of Fiber which is 1/3 of the recommended daily intake. I snuck these in my toddler’s cereal and within a couple of hours her constipation flew right out the window (really! Except for the window part).
Antioxidants. Did somebody say blueberries? Uh….no. But now that I have, did you know chia seeds are higher in antioxidants that blueberries?! And you can enjoy them all year round! Because they are so high in antioxidants, they have a shelf life of several years!
Minerals. Chia seeds contain calcium, molybdenum, niacin, phosphorous, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc.
Protein. They are an excellent source of vegetable protein helping you feel full longer, reducing cravings and boosting your metabolism.
Hydration. Did you know Aztec warriors survived on Chia seeds because of their nutritional and hydrating qualities? I bet you didn’t…
Some other benefits: Unlike flax seeds, you don’t have to grind them or anything. Just eat them. They also can be used as an egg replacement in recipes. Oh yeah…in case you were wondering…they are also Gluten Free!
How Do I Incorporate Chia Seeds Into My Diet?
That’s the best part! Since they soften up with moisture, you can just toss them into shakes, salads, yogurt or anything really! You can also add them to baked goods. I use the Nutiva brand, which you can get at Costco or on Amazon for about the same price (Amazon’s prices change so much that it just depends on the day).
For me personally, I just add them to water and drink them. I’ll be honest though, when I first saw my mom do this I thought she was off her rocker. They form a gel-like texture when you soak them in water, which upon first observance looked like something that might activate my oversensitive-gag reflex, but they don’t bother me at all. I just soak 1 teaspoon in about 1/4 cup water (for a couple of minutes) and then spoon them into my mouth right before a meal.
Awesomeness, I know. And if you never get diabetes because of this blog post….you so totally owe me.
jk, jk.
Want to read up on chia seeds?
sources:
http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2012/08/13-awesome-reasons-to-eat-chia-seeds-every-day/
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-chia.html#b
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7928/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds.html
but really, just do a google search and you will find plenty of reading material 🙂
photo credit: Food Thinkers via photopin cc & Jennuine Captures via photopin cc
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2013 Kristina Manscill
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We are chia seed crazy in our house. Thanks for the great tips and facts. Looking forward to meeting you at Build Your Blog in a few weeks!
I love them in overnight oatmeal instead of yogurt–makes it vegan if you use soy or almond butter as the liquid.
I grind Flax seed in a coffee grinder and take about a tablespoon each morning with a gulp of OJ, would I be able to do the same with Chia? Also, does Chia offer more than Flax seed or should I take both?
Great info. You may want to add ‘TYPE 2 DIBETES” to the comment about people not getting diabetes for eating chia seeds. Type 1 and Type 2 are very different. People with Type 1 diabetes need to be cautious of lower insulin and lower blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetics have typically higher blood sugar so chia seeds for them would be a great option. Type 2 diabetes is usually caused because of diet whereas Type 1 is unknown. My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 3 so I am a bit oversensitive when it comes to comments made about diabetes and how people can or can’t get it. Again, I really appreciate the information on the rest of your website!
I have ground up chia seeds. Just use them the same way you would use whole seeds? Also, can you store them in the freezer??
I put them in grits every morning, and my 18mo loves them! They pack a punch.
Have not tried it yet