What are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are edible tiny seeds, which are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds. These tiny seeds are packed with powerful nutritious elements needed by our body. They are in fact loaded with fiber, protein and various micronutrients. Chia seeds have this nutty flavor, which makes them easy to use in foods by sprinkling on cereals, vegetables and rice.
The Benefits of Chia Seeds
Antioxidant supplements present in chia seeds helps in fighting the production of free radicals. One ounce of chia seeds has 12 grams of carbs in which 11 of them are fiber, which is not digested by the body. Because of heavy fiber content, chia seeds can absorb a lot of water and expand in your stomach by making you feel full and automatically helping in reducing the body weight.
Chia seed helps in lowering the bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol in the body. Since chia seed contains 18% of calcium content, it can be considered as good source of calcium for people who do not consume dairy products.
7 Reasons you should eat Chia Seeds:
- They are packed with Protein – One ounce of chia seeds contains 4.4 grams of protein
- These little seeds are full of fiber which is imperative for optimal health and digestion. 28-grams or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fiber.
- Chia seeds are rich in Omega 3’fatty acids. They help in keeping the brain active with improved concentration.
- If you are on a Gluten Free diet, you will be super stoked to know that Chia seeds are gluten free.
- These little seeds have a low glycemic index (GI), which means diabetics can use them to help control blood sugar levels.
- You gotta love the fact that Chia seeds have 4 to 5 times the calcium of milk, 2 times the potassium of bananas, 3 times the iron of spinach and 3 times the antioxidants of blueberries – A major Superfood indeed
- Chia makes a great egg replacement. Just combine with water to form a gel, and add it to recipes that call for egg.
Yummy recipes to make with Chia Seeds
Strawberry-Limeade chia beverage
Add the following to a pitcher:
- 2 cups of coconut water
- Juice 1/2 lime
- 3/4 cup of blended Strawberries
- 2 teaspoons of coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons of chia seed
Let it sit for 30 minutes until it has formed a gel-like consistency. Enjoy the drink!
Choco-Chia Mousse
- Pour 1 can of coconut cream into a blender, add 1/4 cup of chia seeds, 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 cup of cacao powder.
- Let it sit it blender for 10 minutes to allow chia seed to swell to 10 times their size.
- Once it has formed a tapioca consistency, puree it for 30 seconds or until smooth.
- Pour into serving cups and let it set for 4 hours.
- Top with berries
Chocolate, Cherry, Chia Bars
Makes about 8 bars
Whole chia seeds add nutritional punch and crunch to these chocolate treats.
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- ⅓ cup raw unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup whole chia seeds
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract, optional
- ¼ tsp. almond extract, optional
- 1 cup raw almonds or walnuts
- ½ cup of dried cherries
- Coconut flour for dusting, optional
- Place dates in bowl of food processor; purée until thick paste forms. Add cocoa powder, chia seeds, and vanilla and almond extracts, if using. Pulse until all ingredients are combined. Add almonds; pulse until nuts are finely chopped and well distributed through date mixture.
- Spread large sheet of wax paper on work surface, and dust with oat flour, if using. Transfer date mixture to wax paper, and use paper to press mixture into ½-inch-thick rectangle. Wrap tightly, and chill overnight.
- Unwrap block, and cut into 8 bars. Dust edges and sides with oat flour, if using, to prevent sticking. Rewrap each bar in wax paper.
Blueberry-Coconut chia pops
- Place 3 tablespoons of chia seed in a mason jar and pour over 12 ounces of coconut milk
- Shake the jar until the chia seeds are fully immersed in the liquid. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar and 3/4 cup of blueberries. Stir well.
- Let chia pudding set for 2 hours then pour into ice-pop molds and freeze overnight.
Mango – Chia Pudding
- Place 3 tablespoons of ground chia seeds in a mason jar and pour over a can of coconut milk.
- Add a pinch of vanilla bean and 3 tablespoons of maple syrup.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight until thick.
- Pour into serving glasses then top with freshly sliced mango.
Click here to purchase Chia seeds for your pantry!
