Why You Should Eat Chia Seeds

Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia. We all know that little song coming from the Chia Pets. Back in the 90’s that’s all I knew of chia. But did you know that chia seeds are really healthy for you and are a seed that you should regularly consume?  I want to share with you my favorite health benefits of chia seeds along with some delicious recipes to make using chia seeds.

The Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Adds Fiber
Fiber is one area that we tend to be lacking in. And getting fiber from any source doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Fiber from grains is going to do more harm than good to our digestive systems. But fiber from chia seeds are significantly easier on the GI system and also have other benefits too. When you consume fiber it’s also a good idea to eat some fat with it. And chia seeds are both fat and fiber.

Adds Omega-3 Fats
Chia seeds are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They contain the most omega 3 fat of any vegetable source. This doesn’t compare though to fish and animal proteins, but it’s still another way to add some additional omegas into your diet.

Keeps your Bowels Moving
Many of us whether we want to admit it or not have slow moving bowels. One way to speed up transit time (the time a piece of food enters your mouth to the time it leaves your body) is adding chia seeds to your daily routine.

Weight Loss Benefits
Chia seeds help with weight loss because the fiber and fat is quite filling. You’d be full for days if you ate a cup of chia seeds. Oh, but don’t try it. You’d feel horrible and probably not be able to even get that many chia seeds down. But it proves the point of them being filling. Along with the fat and fiber they keep the digestive system healthy which also aids in weight loss. Below are recipes and instructions on how to use chia seeds in recipes.

How to use chia seeds:

1. Smoothies: Chia seeds are great thrown into a smoothie. You honestly don’t even know they are there once your blender mixes them up really fine! My favorite smoothie recipe is here.

2. As an Egg Replacement: Chia seeds can make something called “Chia eggs”. You can use it to substitute for an egg in a bakingrecipe. This does not work with every recipe, but can be used often for an egg-free baked good. To make a chia egg you will take 1 Tablespoon of chia seeds in 3 Tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 15 minutes and it will gel and you will have an “egg” to use in a recipe. This recipe makes 1 egg.

3. Thickening Jams without sugar: I love that you can make a quick refrigerator jam our of berries, a little sweetener and chia seeds. My favorite is my Raspberry Chia Seed Jam (recipe here). The chia seeds thicken the jam so you don’t have runny fruit spread.

4. Making Protein Balls: The best protein filled snack full of some great superfoods including chia seeds. (recipe here)

5. Adding to grain-free Granola: One of my favorite foods is granola. I could eat granola every single day. I had to create a grain-free granola recipe so I could still indulge in granola. Top it with some raw milk and raw cream.. or just a lot of raw cream. (Everything about the Kitchen Sink Grain-Free Granola Recipe here)

 

Chia seeds are also used in these recipes:

– Grain-Free Black Pepper Crackers: You can eat grain-free and eat crackers. You have to make them yourselves but they are easy to make and give you the “crunch” that you miss and need when eating grain free. (Recipe Here)

– Cast Iron Mixed Berry Cobbler: The base of this cobbler uses berries and the chia seeds almost create a jam with the berries underneath the almond and coconut flour crust. (Recipe Here)

 

Do You Use Chia Seeds? Are you going to start?

 

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