Thinking about CHIA SEEDS.. what do you think?

rai8759
rai8759 Posts: 296 Member
in Food and Nutrition
My husband recently stated that he would like to start counting calories and exercising to lose weight. THEN he said he would really like to take some kind of weight loss supplement to help him also =/

I am not a fan of taking weight loss supplements. It kind of freaks me out especially since they are not regulated, so I suggested CHIA SEEDS. I had heard that it can help make you feel fuller if you sprinkle them on your meal.

So lay it on me.... Resources about Chia Seeds... Have you found them helpful? How to eat them? Where to buy them?

Do you think its all bunk? Any weight loss supplements that have worked for you and not killed you? lol We are in the research phase.
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Replies

  • jonesin_am
    jonesin_am Posts: 404 Member
    I haven't incorporated them yet but have been reading a lot about them. I don't know that I would call them a supplement. Sounds like they are very good to incorporate into a healthy eating plan. They have numerous health benefits...one article compared them to flax seed but said they were more easily digested. Would love to hear what others say. You can buy them online at Nuts.com. They also have some other interesting things I would like to try!
  • altinker
    altinker Posts: 173
    I haven't used them like that, but I think they are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. I have used them in Taramuhara Burritos as well. I think of them more as a Super food.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    I've been putting them in my oatmeal for years. A good amount of fiber and omega-3's for very little calories.

    If you soak them for a few minutes in liquid they get this gel coating around them, and I guess they could make you feel fuller, but I only use 1 Tb so that isn't enough for me to tell any difference in how full I feel.
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    I've been eating them for about a week now, stirring a tablespoon into my breakfast oatmeal (with extra water or it gets way too thick for my taste), or making a gel "pudding" out of chia seeds, honey, milk, and vanilla extract. They do seem to make me feel full longer, and I figure the added nutrients can't hurt.
  • mschickiepoo
    mschickiepoo Posts: 91 Member
    I use them every day. They are very good for you, and seem to help me feel fuller longer. Perhaps, it's all in my head... but whatever works right?! They are pretty much tasteless, so if you soak them in in liquid they get softer and won't have the crunch to them. I love using them. Google the benefits of chia........ you'll be surprised :)
  • rai8759
    rai8759 Posts: 296 Member
    Thanks everybody! Very helpful. They seem to be more of a healthy food that CAN make you feel fuller because of the fiber. I'll keep looking into it.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Water them and make a groovy plant-pet.
  • SnivyToast
    SnivyToast Posts: 25 Member
    They are great in oatmeal. Specifically refrigerator/overnight oatmeal.
  • RambyPandy
    RambyPandy Posts: 118 Member
    I can't seem to find them @ stores by me, so I got some flax seeds instead. They are a nice addition to food.
  • kellyallday
    kellyallday Posts: 137 Member
    This is the best source of info, I recently read:

    http://www.gainsthroughloss.com/2013/01/chia-seeds.html
  • aBoldengirl
    aBoldengirl Posts: 11
    They are said to be an excellent way to detox the body.
  • staceyGO
    staceyGO Posts: 376
    I put them in my shakes... but I never really learned why haha I tend to be kind of a follower and so many healthy blogs praise them that I jumped on the wagon.
  • JacquiKerzman
    JacquiKerzman Posts: 25
    Chia seeds are good, I eat them every morning along with flax seed in my oatmeal, they are great for taking toxins out of the body as well!
  • underwater77
    underwater77 Posts: 331 Member
    Water them and make a groovy plant-pet.

    lolz


    i put them in my protein pancakes and on my oatmeal, but that is about it. they have fiber and omega 3s - never used them for weight loss but i would imagine they can make you feel fuller? i have never noticed though.
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    I buy them on Amazon & make a gel that I put in my shakes. Helps keep me regular...
  • runrunjohnny
    runrunjohnny Posts: 10 Member
    You can add them to just about anything: yogurt and smoothies are my favorite. I've also made a no-bake chocolate pudding from them. I find taking a small handful useful before my runs. They help retain water and because they soak up liquid, they can help with the sloshing feeling of water in your stomach.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    I use small amounts in my overnight oats....tastes good, and helps the texture. Chias are good for you, but not essential.
  • runrunjohnny
    runrunjohnny Posts: 10 Member
    And if you don't want to buy online, you can find them fairly cheap at Trader Joe's and Costco.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Reasonably low carb diet is the best aid. Spend the supplement money on extra meat! X
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I can find them in most grocery stores. Usually in the health food section.
    Also at Walgreens in the supplement isle or GNC.
  • samlankford
    samlankford Posts: 334
    i got them for the health of them... i put them on my cottage cheese or on my yogurt along with almonds and fruit... :bigsmile:
  • ladyrider55
    ladyrider55 Posts: 316 Member
    I've seen them in the "Natural Foods" section in the grocery store. I'll pass on them due to having images of plastering them on a wet clay animal when my boys were little! lol :laugh: :wink:
  • krisbychiken
    krisbychiken Posts: 72 Member
    Water them and make a groovy plant-pet.

    LOL just what I was thinking!
  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
    And if you don't want to buy online, you can find them fairly cheap at Trader Joe's and Costco.

    If you have a Sprouts or Whole Foods store they should have them as well. They're typically cheaper if you buy them in the bulk bins instead of prepackaged.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I eat chia as a source of nutrition. Chia is no more a super food then is oatmeal or blueberries, and it's not a weight loss silver bullet. Chia contains 500 cals per 1/2 cup.

    If you want a food source to fill you up try melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.
  • kellyallday
    kellyallday Posts: 137 Member
    I eat chia as a source of nutrition. Chia is no more a super food then is oatmeal or blueberries, and it's not a weight loss silver bullet. Chia contains 500 cals per 1/2 cup.

    If you want a food source to fill you up try melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.

    Uhh... not sure which ones you're using, but definitely try another brand. Mine are white, and are 50 calories for 2TB. Since there are only 16TB in a cup, that would be 200 cals in a 1/2 C and 400 cals in a whole. Anyhow... you need very little... maybe about 2TB for 8-10C of water.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I eat chia as a source of nutrition. Chia is no more a super food then is oatmeal or blueberries, and it's not a weight loss silver bullet. Chia contains 500 cals per 1/2 cup.

    If you want a food source to fill you up try melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.

    Uhh... not sure which ones you're using, but definitely try another brand. Mine are white, and are 50 calories for 2TB. Since there are only 16TB in a cup, that would be 200 cals in a 1/2 C and 400 cals in a whole. Anyhow... you need very little... maybe about 2TB for 8-10C of water.

    Duh....would you believe I made the same mistake just the other day regarding this? LOL Thanks for lookin out for me!

    BTW I had about 1/2 cup of low sodium pinto beans with a lot of juice left over. I added some chia and let it thicken....very good!
  • Princess4Run
    Princess4Run Posts: 135 Member
    I think they are a great and nutritious food. Chia seeds form a gellous coating when exposed to water so if you eat they expend in your stomach and can help control hunger. They have a good amount of fiber, antioxidants, Omega 3 and 6, and protein. I like them much better than flaxseeds because they don't require grinding to release their nutrients and they have a milder taste and texture. I throw them in my smoothies, but I'm going to try some Chia pudding recipes soon.
  • paljosey
    paljosey Posts: 1
    I've just started eating chia seeds, because of all the touted health benefits (omega 3s, etc), but I also feel they help make me feel fuller ... so for me a natural appetite suppressant. I have a big sweet tooth, so anything that helps curb my sweet cravings is a lifesaver. I was introduced to chia pudding at a Whole Foods demo. Wow. Here's the recipe and I try having it on hand all the time now.
    2 tablespoons chia seeds
    1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
    1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/2 tablespoon honey (or agave or maple syrup)
    1 cup coconut milk (can also use almond, soy or cashew, but I found almond milk did not thicken up as well as coconut milk - besides coconut milk made it very yummy)

    Makes 1 serving, so I triple the recipe at least. Lasts 2 weeks in frig. Mix all together, chill for 4 hours (allows chia seeds to absorb liquids and thicken). Stir every hour during those 4 hours to prevent clumping. You can also top with fruit, coconut flakes and/or nuts, but I eat mine plain. Enjoy!
  • mschickiepoo
    mschickiepoo Posts: 91 Member
    I've just started eating chia seeds, because of all the touted health benefits (omega 3s, etc), but I also feel they help make me feel fuller ... so for me a natural appetite suppressant. I have a big sweet tooth, so anything that helps curb my sweet cravings is a lifesaver. I was introduced to chia pudding at a Whole Foods demo. Wow. Here's the recipe and I try having it on hand all the time now.
    2 tablespoons chia seeds
    1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
    1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/2 tablespoon honey (or agave or maple syrup)
    1 cup coconut milk (can also use almond, soy or cashew, but I found almond milk did not thicken up as well as coconut milk - besides coconut milk made it very yummy)

    Makes 1 serving, so I triple the recipe at least. Lasts 2 weeks in frig. Mix all together, chill for 4 hours (allows chia seeds to absorb liquids and thicken). Stir every hour during those 4 hours to prevent clumping. You can also top with fruit, coconut flakes and/or nuts, but I eat mine plain. Enjoy!

    Sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing!

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