Chia Seeds

barbaracoffing

I tried Chia seeds today because they were recommended by a friend. They sound very nutritious with 6 g of fiber per tablespoon, 105 g potassium, and tons of Omega 3 and 6 (especially since I don't eat fish). If you put them in a glass of water, they gel up and suspend like those boba beads, and its smooth to drink, not like a fiber drink at all. Supposedly you can even use them in place of eggs as a thickener. But they are 85 calories per serving (tablespoon)5 g fat--only .5g saturated. Is it really worth it to add them to my diet?

darkchocolate68

Everyones dietary needs are different. I find eating chia seeds daily worth it to me. I have been eating them for almost a year and would hate to be with out them. The omega benefit is great. I also eat flax seeds, eat 1 T of each daily.

Here is a great website that talks about the benefits of chia seed.
http://www.healthy-eating-guidelines.net/chia-seeds.html

barbaracoffing

Thanks! Can you elaborate on the benefits of flax???

darkchocolate68

Thanks! Can you elaborate on the benefits of flax???

The website I mentioned explains it better than I ever could.

harleigh67

Thanks! Can you elaborate on the benefits of flax???

The website I mentioned explains it better than I ever could.

GREAT ANSWER!!!! I also eat both either in a protein drink or on salad or in yogurt...but I will add use ground flax seeds so the body can process them, it does not break down whole seed! Whole Chia can be broken down by the body!

cbearce

Thanks for the web site. It is very informative.

babycook

I add both to my oatmeal in the mornings or smoothies if I don't have oatmeal. I have noticed a great difference in my mood, my hair and my skin. And yes get ground flaxseed and ensure it's stored in the fridge or it goes rancid.

darkchocolate68

I am so sorry, I misread your post. The website was about chia and you asked about flax seed. I can't right now, but I will get you some websites with the information.

lmr9

I add both chia and flax to my morning oatmeal. Love the fiber and Omegas!

darkchocolate68

Flax seed websites.

http://www.flaxhealth.com/howflaxhelps.htm

http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/how-flaxseed-benefits

http://www.squidoo.com/flaxseedbenefits

http://www.livestrong.com/flaxseed-benefits/

azure7

My favorite way to chia is to make it into a chocolate tapioca-like pudding:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2012/01/chocolate-chia-pudding-and-other-sugar-free-flour-free-desserts.html

Use a high quality cocoa powder and it makes a delicious and nutricious treat I tried adding them to my oatmeal, but they are so filling, I couldn't finish my usual serving. To me, ground flax tastes a little fishy, but I have a pretty sensitive palate.

darkchocolate68

Chia seeds. These are another almost tasteless superfood, but they have SO many health benefits! Chia seeds are high in fiber, calcium, omega-3s and antioxidants. According to this source, a single serving of chia seeds (1 tbsp) has 6x the calcium of milk, 3x more iron than spinach, and 3x the antioxidants of blueberries. Pretty impressive.

http://www.superseeds.ca/ss1/nutriants.html

SusieSonshine

LOVE chia seeds! LOVE flax!! LOVE the raw, wholesome, nutritious pudding that one can make out of chia seeds! YUM!!!

Sabine_Stroehm

Everyones dietary needs are different. I find eating chia seeds daily worth it to me. I have been eating them for almost a year and would hate to be with out them. The omega benefit is great. I also eat flax seeds, eat 1 T of each daily.

Here is a great website that talks about the benefits of chia seed.
http://www.healthy-eating-guidelines.net/chia-seeds.html

Ditto. I have a half and half jar (half chia half flax) that I scoop onto my yogurt.

peachyxoxoxo

I love chia seeds!!!! I add a tbsp to my oatmeal every morning. But it's only 60 kcal per tablespoon according to the nutrition label on the bag I have in my pantry.

XXXMinnieXXX

which is better? Chia or linseed? x

elv1ra

am i the only one who feels GROSS all day when i eat them? ick.

dmarie303

Thanks for posting this question. I'm new and adjusting to eating fewer calories so I was debating whether the chia/flax was worth it too but after seeing all the great links, I will stick with it.