Chia Seeds

I would suggest you only eat a small amount, like a half a tablespoon to start. Chia seeds are a great source of protein and fiber and ALAs but if you're like me and not used to high levels of fiber is can cause some discomfort at first if you overdo it on the first go. That being said they're a great addition to yogurts, smoothies, and even ice cream. You can make a pudding out of them by letting them soak in coconut or almond milk. Regular milk is okay too, but a little odd tasting. Sweeten with whatever you like to use.

Chia seeds are great! You can add a tablespoon to a cup of water or warm (not hot) tea and let them soak for ~5 min to get the cleansing benefits, or directly add them to baked goods, smoothies, etc.

Yeah, they're not going to "make" you lose weight, you do that with a deficit. I just used some for the first time today. I added them to my oatmeal, and it wasn't bad.

Obviously I wouldn't eat them alone. I want to put them in my juice. I'm coming off of medicine and don't want to gain much weight back. I'm still going to keep working out like I normally do. I know I worded the post a little weird.

Well, what others have said still applies. It's going to be a calorie deficit that's going to keep you from regaining and losing. So if you want to add Chia seeds for taste or fiber, that's fine. Just as long as your overall calories remain with the goal MFP has set you (which is your deficit).

I use chia seeds to help with my hydration on long runs... I put 2 TBS in 8-10 ounces of cold water and let them sit about ten minutes until they get like a gel. I drink that about thirty minutes before my run and it gives me a long subtle push to my endurance and hydration. I also make spelt and teff flour crepes spread with almond butter, honey and chia seeds for a mid-run snack...

I never heard that they make you "go" and they have never done that for me... and I have never heard that they can help you lose weight. Everything I have read about them has been in the context of long distance running. And in that area, I swear by them and use them regularly.

I love them. I add them to smoothies, I make puddings and 'bubble tea' type drinks with them, I use them to add crunch to baked goods and salads, and they're good in yogurt and in addition to granola. I just keep them in my arsenal of things to add interest to my food and enhance the nutritional profile of what I'm eating.

You can make a cereal with them let them sit in soy or amond or coconut milk for 5 minutes til gelatinous. They are a mucilage food they get a gel on them when soaked like flaxseed. It helps to scrub the colon. I suppose it could be filling. I just do a cereal when I need to go or add to smoothies. But I don't know about weight loss.

Do you have to let them soak in the water and turn to a gel for the fiber benefit? I've been using them for about 3 months (I take a tablespoon at lunch and dinner) and I just throw them in my mouth and swallow them with a glass of water.

I'm just worried about diverticulitis, but I assume they turn to a gel in my stomach.

yes they gel up just like flaxseed. You can also just add them to water or any drink or food. You can even buy kombucha with them in there.

They are filling! They really expand in water. I thought to see how much 'gel' it would produce by soaking just one tsp. in water (over night). I did not measure, but holly cow does it ever expand! It is very filling, so I guess That's why some think you can loose weight with it. I throw my soaked chia into baked goods-muffins,pancakes or mix it with some yogurt.