Chia seeds-Worth it or a waste of money

lgeabhart
lgeabhart Posts: 4
in Food and Nutrition
Some girls at work have added those seeds to their diet, they saw it on Dr. Oz, and say they fill them up quicker. I've tried them and can't tell a difference. So any ideas?

Replies

  • zirk95
    zirk95 Posts: 13
    Hi! Not sure on the filling you up factor, I use them for the health value. Since you don't need a lot per day, they probably won't fill you up... Have you tried turning them into a jelly? Maybe that way might help fill you up? Sorry, I'm no help... I am curious to see if anyone else has success with it keeping them full though!
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    tumblr_lvn9bqqBsc1r602aro1_400.jpg
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Great, now that they're on Dr. Oz, they'll all get sold out (plus, Dr. Oz is one step above Dr. Phil in my book).

    I've used them for awhile because I was advised that they help with bloat. I am not sure if it makes a difference, but they DO carry lots of omega-3 (I think they're the highest omega 3, non-fish food item). It's easy just to spoon a tablespoon in something, or eat them crunchy.

    I can't stand the texture when they're added to something wet and they soak it up, though.
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    i use them for health benefits if you want to feel full its ground flax seeds you want to be using
  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    I've don't know that they fill me up faster, but I certainly like them. They're great to use as a thickening agent in things like smoothies and oatmeal porridge. I use them as an egg substitute when I'm out of eggs, and I also just really like adding them to oatmeal, cereal, pancakes, etc for a little texture. Not to mention they have some good nutritional value as well.

    I'm actually out, come to think of it. I guess I should remember to pick some up when I go shopping again.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    I didn't find anything especially filling about them, but my 9-year-old's new favorite snack is a 1/2 tsp soaked in a shotglass full of water. They don't really seem any different from flax seeds to me.
  • HotAshMess
    HotAshMess Posts: 382 Member
    I like them in my yogurt for texture. I also used them as a binder in meatballs. I think when mixed with yogurt, I notice a "fuller" difference. But otherwise not really. I didn't know they were on Dr. Oz....damn. Now I wont be able to get them as easily.
  • domgirl85
    domgirl85 Posts: 295 Member
    I used them in my smoothies for a month (also in my yogurt) and I could see the difference. They way chia seeds work is when it hits water, it expands. Remember those toys where it was a capsule and when it dropped it in water, it grew into a dinosaur shaped sponge? They work like that.

    I'm currently going this month without them to test the differences. I am hungrier sooner than I was while taking them. The cheapest I've seen them for was $9.99 a pound (I think) so I guess just be on the look out. You can also try a bulk site. My friend told me about nuts.com.

    Btw, in my smoothies, I add soy protein (half scoop) and flaxseed meal. I tried the chia seeds with the flax seed meal and on their own. I'd say it helped with the "filling" when it was with the flaxseed meal.
  • Melolicious
    Melolicious Posts: 71 Member
    Do you use them whole or ground to a powder? The whole seed does swell considerabley in liquid and are supposed to be great for improving your whole digestive system. Ground up seeds make a great natural thickener if left to stand for a few minutes in sauces and smoothies. I'm not sure it's something magical to make you feel full though.
  • morgansmom02
    morgansmom02 Posts: 1,131 Member
    They don't fill you up. I use them for the health benefits.
  • coltrax
    coltrax Posts: 36 Member
    Yes! I don't use them as a filler, but more for the fiber. I mix 2 scoops in my oatmeal every morning. I do stay full for about 4 hours tho.

    The health benefits are amazing. They are virtuely low cal, but the fiber amt is the same as carbs. About 10 g! And with 6 g of protein too!

    They are spendy , but to me so worth it. Research them. Don't think you'll find any disadvantages to them. :bigsmile:
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,330 Member
    Yes! I don't use them as a filler, but more for the fiber.

    ^^^^This
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    I jumped on the bandwagon of chia seeds one time, the problem I had was they fell everywhere. They were worse than popcorn! Came to work after a long weekend to this:

    gdsfgdfgsdfg_zps286fd9da.jpg
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    They are awesome in refrigerator oatmeal. They soak up any excess liquid so it's not 'watery' by morning.
  • ipsamet
    ipsamet Posts: 436 Member
    Hi! Not sure on the filling you up factor, I use them for the health value. Since you don't need a lot per day, they probably won't fill you up... Have you tried turning them into a jelly? Maybe that way might help fill you up? Sorry, I'm no help... I am curious to see if anyone else has success with it keeping them full though!

    Thiiiiis. They have tons of fiber, good source of protein for such a small amount. Don't use them to fill you up or because Dr. Oz told you to. I grind them up and put them in my smoothies! And if you're worried about the cost, you can buy a HUGE bag on Amazon for pretty cheap.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I put chia seeds in my morning protein shake. They keep me regular. I also find that my skin is nicer when i am taking them regularly. I do not find that they fill me up tho.
  • coltrax
    coltrax Posts: 36 Member
    I jumped on the bandwagon of chia seeds one time, the problem I had was they fell everywhere. They were worse than popcorn! Came to work after a long weekend to this:

    gdsfgdfgsdfg_zps286fd9da.jpg


    LOL!!! :laugh: :noway: :laugh: :noway: :laugh:
  • Silver_Star
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
    tumblr_lvn9bqqBsc1r602aro1_400.jpg

    LMAoooo!!!


    i saw chia seeds at TJMAXX....somehow...i prefer my flaxseeds
  • amelia_atlantic
    amelia_atlantic Posts: 926 Member

    I'm currently going this month without them to test the differences. I am hungrier sooner than I was while taking them. The cheapest I've seen them for was $9.99 a pound (I think) so I guess just be on the look out. You can also try a bulk site. My friend told me about nuts.com.

    I found them for $4.99 a pound at Trader Joes!

    I put them in smoothies. They make the smoothie thicker and allusion or not; it feels like a fuller meal. Also a great souce of Omegas.
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
    I loved Chia seeds, but I have to be wary because right after eating them I would have flare ups of diverticulitus, that last of which almost killed me.
  • Katmiller73
    Katmiller73 Posts: 99 Member
    got mine on soap.com, but found them on amazon.com as well. haven't tried them yet, so def need ideas for recipes.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-chia

    Apparently, it's a waste of money if your only reason for it is losing weight.
  • luhluhlaura
    luhluhlaura Posts: 278 Member
    Chia seeds have many nutritional benefits, but I was talking to an employee from a health food store the other day and he mentioned that they need to be ground up in some way before ingesting, otherwise they are just like fiber and move through your GI tract unabsorbed.
    I thought this was only the case with flax seeds, but maybe it's true for chia too.

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