Chia Seeds....

AliciaBeth78

I keep hearing about all of the nutritional benefits of Chia Seeds (i.e. making you feel fuller faster, helping with hydration, helping reduce blood pressure, filled with Omega-3, etc.)

Have you tried these? And do you find this to be fact or crap?

AliciaBeth78

Anyone, anyone?

I feel like the teacher from Ferris Bueller's Day Off!

racingred24

I haven't tried them, but was wondering about them too. I heard that they take a bit for your system to get used to....fyi stay close to the bathroom. I also keep thinking my hair will start growing like the Shrek Chia Pet. lol

JustAGirlyGeek

Bump! I would like to know too!

caware1

Hello, I regularly add chia (& flax seeds) to my oatmeal in the morning. Chia seeds are a plant-based way to get essential Omega-3 fatty acids - important for reducing inflammation, and keeping your brain in working order. In addition, chia has a high fiber count per calorie and is high in calcium and other anti-oxidants.

jc112486

I have a friend who is a health nut, and added them to shakes to stay full during a clease. I trust her option and would definately give them a try! I'm trying to add flax to a lot more things cause its high in Omega 3's. My advice would be to add them to other things (e.g. sprinkle of a salad, grind them up and mixed into other dishes). That way you can get the nutritional benefit with out eating straight flax or chia seeds!

Vercell

I have been using chi seeds for about 2 years now I love them. there good for all those things. I started using them because of my IBS its has been wonderful. I put them in my smoothies and my yogurt. some people cook with it I never tried it that way before. They are worth trying.

AliciaBeth78

I haven't tried them, but was wondering about them too. I heard that they take a bit for your system to get used to....fyi stay close to the bathroom. I also keep thinking my hair will start growing like the Shrek Chia Pet. lol

Well at least it wouldn't look as weird as Chia Shaggy! - http://www.chiapet.com/index.php/licensed-chia-pet/chia-shaggy :bigsmile:

themutineer

They're good. They're a superfood. You can buy relatively inexpensive organic, non-GMO at your local grocery store.

I add it to my smoothies, and add to pudding for dessert or a healthy snack. It can also be used as a natural thickener for soups and stews, as an egg substitute, or added to yogurt or oatmeal.

They are jam packed full of minerals, omega 3 fats, antioxidants, fiber and are a complete source of protein.

2 tablespoons of chia seeds has:

1.Five times the amount of calcium in milk (plus boron which helps you absorb it)
2.Three times the amount of antioxidants in blueberries
3.Three times the amount of iron in spinach
4.Three times the amount of fiber in oatmeal
5.Two times the amount of protein of any other bean, seed or grain
6.Two times the amount of potassium in a banana

Because chia seeds expand up to 3 times their original size when wet and have such a high fiber content (great for regularity!), they can help you eat less and stay full longer by bulking up your meals and crowding out fat, sugar and calories (great for weight loss!). Consuming chia seeds increase energy and endurance (great for runners!). They also help your body rebuild muscle after exercise and during and post pregnancy. Chia seeds have more Omega 3’s and a much longer shelf life than flax (and can be substituted in any recipe for flax).

AliciaBeth78

Thanks guys! I'm gonna go head up to Whole Foods and pick some up!!!!

Firefox7275

2 tablespoons of chia seeds has:

1.Five times the amount of calcium in milk (plus boron which helps you absorb it)
2.Three times the amount of antioxidants in blueberries
3.Three times the amount of iron in spinach
4.Three times the amount of fiber in oatmeal
5.Two times the amount of protein of any other bean, seed or grain
6.Two times the amount of potassium in a banana

How much milk/ blueberries/ spinach/ banana, two tablespoons? If so well duh, seeds are fairly dry little beasties, the majority of those foods have a high water content so the comparison is disingenuous. If you compared per calorie or by dry weight you'd get a rather different result. And I don't even believe they have twice as much protein as other seeds, they are ~20% by weight which is standard for seeds.

racingred24

I'm going to buy some chia seeds now. I hadn't realized the nutritional value they had! NO wonder Chia pet's hair grows so fast....lol

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LoriIone

Ive been going to a nutritionist, for weight loss. She highly recommended me getting chia seeds. She told me to make protein balls with them too, and flax.

GatorGirl0890

One delicious way to use them is in oatmeal. I combine:

1/3 cup steel cut oatmeal
water or milk
random amount of greek yogurt
chia seeds
stevia

I refrigerate it overnight and it's delicious, cold oatmeal. The chia seeds thicken it. I don't use exact measurements, maybe a tablespoon or so of chia seeds.

Sometimes I'll add pumpkin or something to change up the flavor. It's delicious.

smp4463

I recently added chia seeds to my diet.. figured filling up on healthy options couldn't hurt being in my diet

annepage

Okay, I'm in now too. Want to try these if they're that nutrient dense. Do they work the same way as flax seeds in terms of needing to be toasted or ground up so that you actually get the nutrients from the seed otherwise they'll pass right through you?

themutineer

How much milk/ blueberries/ spinach/ banana, two tablespoons? If so well duh, seeds are fairly dry little beasties, the majority of those foods have a high water content so the comparison is disingenuous. If you compared per calorie or by dry weight you'd get a rather different result. And I don't even believe they have twice as much protein as other seeds, they are ~20% by weight which is standard for seeds.

Not sure - but suffice to say, they are a great addition to any healthy diet. Worth whatever their caloric intake may be, in my opinion.

Original Article: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4353/6-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Eat-Chia.html

themutineer

Okay, I'm in now too. Want to try these if they're that nutrient dense. Do they work the same way as flax seeds in terms of needing to be toasted or ground up so that you actually get the nutrients from the seed otherwise they'll pass right through you?

Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.

Original Article: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA365093/Chia-for-Health.html

hyerlevo

They are great for a lot of things but you need to soak them to get the full benefits.

Be well!

BigGuy47

You can use a tablespoon of chia seeds as a substitute for an egg when baking. I think the gel that forms around the seed acts as a binder. That said, I don't know why anyone would eliminate eggs from a recipe. Eggs are rich in protein and nutrients.

I toss chia seeds in my greek yogurt in the morning. You can also throw the seeds in a salad. I've tried the chia fresca thing a few times, but I don't care for the texture.

georgina1970

They're also great in homemade bread. Doesn't alter texture or taste.

j75j75

I eat a tbsp of chia seeds and a tbsp of hemp seeds with my greek yogurt everyday. It's good and they are sooo good for you. I also sometimes drink a bottle of water with a tbsp of chia seeds in it. Let the chia seeds soak in the water for 20 min so they absorb as much as water as possible. 20-30 min before your workout drink the whole bottle. It's like getting a time-released supply of water during your workout, so you stay hydrated better and can workout harder and longer.

tvl0308

I would like to try these too, but as I am gluten free tolerant, does anyone know if they are gluten free?

thanks

Contrarian

They helped me grow the most beautiful green, lush hair!

777Gemma888

I would like to try these too, but as I am gluten free tolerant, does anyone know if they are gluten free?

thanks

Yes.

jessicalynn75

I sprinkle them on salads.

Jennaissance

Sprout them in a mason jar with a sprout screen or cheesecloth. Add to salads or sandwiches.

CloverCreeper

I bought some a while ago.
I have some in almond milk with a little bit of
chocolate syrup when I'm craving something sweet.

It's a weird texture but I like it. (: