Fit Food: The Benefits of Chia Seeds

Smaller sized than-- and commonly compared with-- the flax seed, chia is fulled of 2 times more protein than many grains and five times more calcium than milk. Plus, it has of high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, soluble fiber, potassium and antioxidants.

But the truth is, the old Aztecs, Incans and Mayans commonly utilized the chia seed for its medicinal force and as a significant source of energy-- and they were certainly on to something, says Diana Allen, MS, CNS, a scientific nutritionist and author of Chia Seed.

When many individuals hear the word chia today, the first thing that enters your mind are those silly little potted plants shaped like a dog or Homer Simpson.

Chia seeds take in water or milk, so they're an excellent method to thicken up a bowl of oat meal while likewise including some filling fiber. You can blend a tablespoon of seeds directly into your prepared oats, or "gel" them first by allowing them to soak up 3/4 cup of milk or almond milk. You can also sprinkle chia seeds over cold cereal or yogurt for a breakfast boost.).

Chia seeds are discovered in the majority of health food shops in little bags or cylinders, and when cooking, chia seeds thicken foods and can add more element and nutrition to a meal without all the extra calories. "It's really dull and mild," states Allen, "which is great, because it doesn't affect the taste of other foods.

Chia Fresca. To make it, merely include one tablespoon of chia seed to one 8-oz. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or till the seeds completely swell and absorb the liquid.

Here are 3 siple ways to slip some chia seed into your diet-- plus two simple chia seed dishes from The Chia Seed Cookbook.

3. Chia Smoothies. When gelled with your choice of milk or water and combined with a cup of fresh or frozen fruit, one tablespoon of chia seeds can include a real thickness to your go-to smoothie mix-- not to mention a dose healthy fats, fiber, protein, and anti-oxidants.

Chia seeds are discovered in most health food stores in little bags or cylinders, and when food preparation, chia seeds thicken foods and can include more substance and nutrition to a meal without all the extra calories. Chia seeds soak up water or milk, so they're a fantastic method to thicken up a bowl of oatmeal while likewise adding some filling fiber. To make it, merely add one tablespoon of chia seed to one 8-oz. When gelled with your choice of milk or water and mixed with a cup of fresh or frozen fruit, one tablespoon of chia seeds can include a real thickness to your go-to smoothie mix-- not to mention a dosage healthy fats, fiber, protein, and antioxidants.

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