Chia seeds?

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Who here uses them and what are the health benefits? Ive read a lot about them but I know they are a bit pricey so I would like some info before I purchase them.

Replies

  • scrook43
    scrook43 Posts: 78 Member
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    I eat chia seeds every morning in my oatmeal, I love them They seem to give me energy and do wonders for keeping me regular. You can use them in so many different ways
  • jh7060
    jh7060 Posts: 32
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    I put a tbsp. of chia seeds in yogurt most days, and while I haven't necessarily felt any results, I love how they are a complete protein and have so many nutrients at a low calorie amount while having an extremely mild taste, but they are still completely natural.
  • KimLee76
    KimLee76 Posts: 89
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    I mostly use chia seeds (1 tbsp) to thicken protein smoothies. I've been known to sprinkle them on salads and other foods to up the fiber content, but I prefer the taste of flax seeds. So you can say while I don't find the taste or texture of chia seeds disagreeable, I would not call it a flavor enhancer when it has to stand on its own.

    They are high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber and have other benefits that escape me at the moment. The main reason I eat them is because I'm low carbing and their net carb value (total carbs - fiber) is 0. Even though I am low carbing, I still limit saturated fats so chia sees give me healthy fats, protein, and fiber all in one.

    Now, I agree they are overpriced, especially since i have yet to get the ch-ch-ch-chia song out of my head lol. I purchased my current bag from Kroger for around $13.00 and now I see that Trader Joe's has one of at least the same size, possibly larger for about half that.
  • vaironika
    vaironika Posts: 36
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    I love using chia seeds to get my omega 3 fats, calcium, and protein. They really helped my hair grow shinier and satisfies my hunger. They also have good fiber to help with digestion and are a powerful anitoxidant to help cleanse the body of waste. My skin also improved when i started to consume them. They are also supposed to give you tons of energy. I usually make chia seed pudding by soaking them in water and adding some stevia and cocoa powder. You can also blend them with unsweetened almond milk and add stevia and cinnamon and/or cocoa to make a yummy low carb, sugar free, and super healthy milkshake as the chia seeds will thicken the drink if you let it sit for a while. Yes they can be pricey, i usually buy them from Winners but they are definitely worth it!
  • livincleanly27
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    my sister said they have been helping increase her energy levels. I haven't tried them yet but i will pick some up during my next grocery trip
  • AliandTrev
    AliandTrev Posts: 194 Member
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    I put them in my smoothies, overnight oats and yogurt. They are full of good nutrients and help you feel full longer. I order mine from amazon. I use the Barleans Organic they are about $10 for 12 oz.
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
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    Good grief on the cost! :noway: How much do you have to use for a serving?
  • AliandTrev
    AliandTrev Posts: 194 Member
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    Good grief on the cost! :noway: How much do you have to use for a serving?

    I use 1 Tbsp
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
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    I get mine from trader joes, the bulk bin, think $9.99/lb. Used to get their brand, purple bag, think like $5-6 but less of the amount.

    I'll toss a tablespoon in my oatmeal or in yogurt. Haven't made shakes in a long time but would add to that. They do need to soak up liquid for a bit or else they end up in your teeth like poppy seeds, lol
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
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    I bought some. I can't say I've noticed any particular difference, although I'm admittedly not very consistent. Prices vary - I bought some at a Trader Joe's when I was traveling and they cost about half as much as they did at my local health food store.
  • jeanywren
    jeanywren Posts: 72 Member
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    I eat chia seeds with buckwheat and hemp hearts. It is in a mixture called Holy Crap cereal and was featured on the show "Dragons Den". Two tablespoons is the servings size on the package and I mix it in porridge or smoothies. Fills you up, gives you energy and keeps you regular.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
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    . Lose Weight Without Starving

    The Chia Seed is a dieter’s dream come true. The tiny, healthy seeds can be made to taste like whatever you want, and their unique gelling action keeps you feeling full for hours. Hunger is a main enemy of real weight loss, and you don’t want to fight it with jittery expensive pills. When a chia seed

    is exposed to water, it forms a coating of gel, increasing its size and weight. Since the gel made of water, it has no calories. It’s also difficult to remove from the seed, meaning that it helps your body think it is full, without adding calories!
    2. Balance Blood Sugar

    Keeping balanced levels of blood sugar is important for both health and energy. Blood sugar may spike after meals, especially if you eat high-starchy foods or sweets. This can lead to ‘slumps’ in your day where you feel tired and out of energy. By balancing your blood sugar, you not only lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, but you also ensure steady, constant energy throughout your day.

    But how does the Chia Seed help with this? Both the gelling action of the seed, and it’s unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combine to slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars. If you eat chia with a meal, it will help you turn your food into constant, steady energy rather than a series of ups and downs that wear you out.

    3. Help Prevent Diverticulitis / Diverticulosis

    With the abundance of over-processed foods and white flour on the market today, rich sources of fiber are harder to come by. These foods of convenience have contributed to the rise of diverticulitis. Irregularity is a

    big factor in this risky condition. To help ensure regularity, you need plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. If you don’t want to eat celery, and whole-grain everything…or piles of bran flakes, the Chia Seed is here to help. Each seed is coated with soluble fibers which aid its gelling action. The exterior of the seed is protected by insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber is unable to be digested (it does not contribute any calories, or break down) so instead, it helps keep food moving smoothly through the digestive process. Soluble fiber, and the gel coating of the seed keeps the colon hydrated and ensures the easy movement of food.

    4. Add healthy omega-3 oil to your diet

    Omega-3 oil is usually thought of as “that healthy stuff in fish”. But, what if you don’t want to eat fish every day? What if you’re a vegetarian, or simply worried about pollution adding harmful substances to your fish dinner?

    Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, and it still tastes like whatever you want! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health. It’s also recently been targeted as a weight-loss helper. USA Weekend magazine also reports on a study where overweight dieters who included omega 3s in their eating plan lost 2 more pounds monthly than the control group, who did not.
    5. Feel more energized all day long

    Don’t want to feel like taking an afternoon nap? Your energy levels have a lot to do with what you eat. Chia is one of nature’s highest plant-based sources of complete protein. Usually protein from items like peanut butter

    and some beans are incomplete, meaning you have to combine them with other foods to get the full benefit. Not Chia though, it’s protein is complete to raise your energy levels. The combination of complete protein, vitamins, minerals and blood-sugar balancing gel all work together to make sure you have steady, never jittery energy.

    6. Bake with less fat

    Do you enjoy making baked goods at home, but hate all the butter and oil that has to go into them? Chia gel can substitute for half the butter in most recipes! The food will bake the same and taste the

    same (or better) from the addition of the chia gel. All you need to do is divide the amount of butter or oil in half, and then use the same amount of chia gel to fill in. The anti-oxidants in chia can even help keep the food tasting fresh longer. Everything from cookies to cakes to muffins, pancakes and waffles can be made with chia gel as your butter replacement. Which recipe will become your new favorite?
    7. Add age-defying anti-oxidants

    Anti-oxidants have been in the news lately due to their super healthy benefits. You know that blueberries and several exotic fruits (that aren’t always in season) have them, but did you know that chia is extremely high in anti-oxidants too? These helpful substances are what makes the Chia Seed stay .

    fresh for so long. At room temperature, they’ll stay fresh and ready to eat for over two whole years! And that’s all without a single chemical or preservative. This amazing ability is not found in other seeds like flax or sesame, because those seeds don’t have the same rich anti-oxidant content.


    Anti-oxidants help prevent free-radical damage in your body. Free radicals lead to problematic conditions such as premature aging of the skin and inflammation of various tissues. Fight free radical damage by staying fresh and healthy with nature’s anti-oxidant powerhouse

    8. Cut cravings for food

    Being deficient in minerals or vitamins can create a craving for food. For example, if you’re low on calcium, you may feel compelled to eat lots of cheese and ice cream. This happens because your body knows that cheese is a source of calcium, and it hasn’t been getting enough. But what if dairy and whole

    milk are a “Diet don’t”? You can always add calcium to your food by sprinkling on the chia. By weight, chia has more calcium than whole milk. It also has magnesium and boron, essential trace minerals used in the absorption of calcium and other vitamins. By balancing your vitamins and minerals with chia, you can curb cravings that might tempt you.

    9. You can pack in more flavorful punch

    How can a seed with NO flavor help the foods you already like to taste better? First, because they have no taste of their own, chia seeds will never cover up or add to the flavor of your food. Second, when the seeds hydrate, they magnify the taste of whatever they were added to. Put them in pudding?

    Chocolaty! Swirl them into a smoothie? Fruity! The same thing goes with dressings, dips, salsas, sauces and more. These two factors combine to let chia seeds take on the taste of whatever you add them to. They distribute and never dilute, the flavors you love.
    10. Save your money

    Why should eating less cost you more? You already know diet pills are expensive, and ‘box meal plans’ can run up to $500.00 a month. If you’re buying ‘calorie counting packs’ or other individual portions in the store, you can also end up paying more because more preparation and materials go

    into these foods. More than enough chia for 1 month costs less than a dollar a day. You can use as much or as little as you want to achieve your own desired results. There are no preparations required for these simple seeds, not even pesticides need to be used to grow them. They’re always safe and 100% chemical free. A measuring spoon is all you’ll need when you’re ready to take advantage of chia for yourself. It doesn’t get any easier or more inexpensive.

    ARTICLE FROM MYCHIASEEDS.COM
  • Cassea7
    Cassea7 Posts: 181 Member
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    I put chia seeds in my smoothie and also in my healthy brownie recipe..

    recently i heard about a recipe for homemade healthy jam made in 60 secs.. Simply toss 1 cup of your favorite berries into a blender with 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and a tsp of honey. Blend, poor into a jar and place in the fridge over night. The chia seeds create a lovely jelly like texture to the sweet berries and honey. Fresh, easy, and artificial sugar's and pectin free jam!

    will try this recipe soon! :flowerforyou:
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
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    Good grief on the cost! :noway: How much do you have to use for a serving?

    I use 1 Tbsp

    How long on average would you say the container of seeds lasts? I'm on a super tight budget and would only be able to get them on occasion at that price. Sheesh!
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
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    I get mine from trader joes, the bulk bin, think $9.99/lb. Used to get their brand, purple bag, think like $5-6 but less of the amount.

    I'll toss a tablespoon in my oatmeal or in yogurt. Haven't made shakes in a long time but would add to that. They do need to soak up liquid for a bit or else they end up in your teeth like poppy seeds, lol

    :laugh: For some reason I keep picturing Jim Carey asking, "Do I have something in my teeth?"
  • jkmiller82
    jkmiller82 Posts: 214 Member
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    I just bought my first bag from Trader Joe's and had some in my yogurt this morning.

    I'm also making an overnight pudding to have for breakfast tomorrow. It's a cup of almond milk, 2 tbls of chia seeds, 2 tbls of Better'n Peanut Butter, a little vanilla extract, and stevia to taste. I'm going to have it on top of a banana tomorrow morning. The chia seeds turn the almond milk into the consistency of tapioca pudding (or so I've read). Not sure I got the proportions right (since I'm kind of winging it), but we'll see.