By: +Katie Kaleita, writer for Vitacost.com
Sure, you could plant ’em in a cute clay pot. But did you know there are many more ways to enjoy (ch-ch-ch) chia seeds? These tiny pods pack a powerful nutritional punch – so maybe it’s time you added a little chia power to your diet! Follow us as we explore five simple ways to enjoy the abundant benefits of chia seeds:
Breakfast boost: Instead of sweetener, sprinkle chia seeds on your morning oatmeal.
Benefit: Chia may not be sweet like sugar, but this mild-tasting oatmeal topping can help keep your tummy from grumbling. Chia seeds are brimming will fiber, which can help you stay full and satisfied straight through lunchtime – no more mid-morning trips to the vending machine!
Salad topping: Toss a few spoonfuls of raw chia seeds in your spinach salad.
Benefit: Besides adding a satisfying texture to your bowl of greens, chia seeds can also add an abundance of minerals, including iron, phosphorus, copper, calcium and zinc. They’re also an excellent source of antioxidants and omega-3 essential fatty acids. (Talk about a superfood!)
Super smoothie: Next time you bring out the blender, include some chia seeds in your smoothie.
Benefit: Chia seeds can help regulate your body’s conversion of carbs to sugar, providing the slow-burning energy you need to power through spin class. They’re also easily digestible, which is a plus for those with sensitive systems.
Refreshing drink: Forget sports drinks – add chia gel to your favorite beverage instead. (To make chia gel, simply combine 1/3 cup chia seeds with 2 cups water and refrigerate.)
Benefit: Chia seeds have a reputation for retaining moisture – lots of it! They can absorb 10 times their weight in water, so adding chia gel to your drink before or during a grueling workout can help keep your body hydrated.
Plant-powered protein: Add chia seeds to your favorite food or beverage (even baked goods!) to get an extra dose of protein.
Benefit: Chia seeds pack in twice the amount of protein found in any other seed or grain. For those who prefer not to consume animal-based products, chia seeds are a great way incorporate more protein into the diet. They also provide all nine essential amino acids, which are crucial for muscle growth and recovery.
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Thanks for this post! I’ve been using milled chia in my protein shakes. Add great texture and keep me fuller. I love it.
Hey Josie,
I haven’t tried milled chia seeds. That’s great that they keep you fuller. Can’t get any better than that!
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
I never knew one can eat chia, I used to have chia pet which was quite popular in late 80s.
I am finally on twitter now!
Also, I got your comment on last post, somehow the whole post is not keeps being on pending status after I answered your comment. FYI.
Preeti
Hey Preeti,
Yeah, who would have thought that chia seeds are good for us?
Cool, glad you’re on twitter.
Okay, thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Great post! I love chia seeds – I sprinkle them with flax seed on my oatmeal every morning. It adds just the right amount of sweetness 🙂
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for sharing!
Chia seeds are a super food! I add chia seeds to my veggie drinks. I made this drink this morning: Kale, cilantro, apple, ginger, cayenne pepper, and chia seeds. Can you say Energy?! 🙂 Omega 3 fatty acids in chia seeds help to fortify the brain, which is made up of 60% omega-3 fatty acids. You can also check out some additional info on the benefits of chia seeds here.
Hey Aqiyl!
Your veggie drink sounds very powerful! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the info about omega-3. I’ll definitely keep this in mind. In the past I have added them to water and also sprinkled some on top of oatmeal. Since I’m working on a slight diet change, I will start adding them to my green drinks.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn yes it is powerful. You feel the ginger and cayenne clearing the way for the nutrients of the kale, cilantro, and apple. And it is not overwhelmingly spicey because the apple smooths the taste, and the apple also adds vitamin C so the body can easily absorb the non heme iron of the veggies. Yes add those chia seeds to your veggie juices to super power it. 🙂 I add 1-2 tablespoons to my veggie drink. Chia seeds are expensive so you might want to be conservative and use 1 tablespoon. Another alternative is to use flax seeds. 🙂
I would like to try this. Do you blend or juice this recipe?
Yeah, they are expensive. I have some and when I use them, I use 1 tablespoon. 🙂
I always blend. I am a proponent of blending because I don’t lose the precious nutrient, fiber. Plus other nutrients are loss while juicing. Fiber also regulates the absorption of nutrients. Juicing is OK once in a while because you get and immediate nutrient rush, but not all the time. Plus blending in just easier. Recipe:
2 large kale leafs
10 stems of cilantro
1/2 thumb piece of ginger
1/2 – 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (depends on how spicey you can’t take it)
1/2 red apple
1 or 2 tablespoons of Chia Seeds or Flax Seeds
28 ounces of water
Makes 2 1/2 glasses of juice. I drink this first thing in the morning for breakfast.
When it comes to blending, I feel the same way. I do more blending than juicing.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
You are most welcome. I will doing a video this recipe and others soon. 🙂