I can’t say enough how much I enjoy my chia seeds mixed in with my yogurt every morning. Yes, I am talking about the chia-chia-pet seeds, that old product many of us have seen as kids. But if you knew what I know you might stop laughing and grab your spoon.
We talked about Chia seeds before and gave you some of the basics in Chia – More Than Fun…A Truly Functional Superfood. If you want to read why flax seeds are not as high of a superfood as chia seeds then do checkout that article. Also, chia seeds do not have the issue with going rancid that flax seeds do. Let’s get back to focus and see what will make you, “grab your spoon”.
Chia seeds are a complete source of protein and provide all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form. Want a great source of soluble fiber? You got it! How about a food that can help hold you better between meals? Sounds like a way to help cut some calories if you are looking for some weightloss tricks. Here is the trick. Just mix some hydrated chia seeds in with your food and you will eat less. Why? The food has been bulked up with the hydrated chia, which holds at least 9 times its volume in water. See how easy it can be to eat less calories. And you got a great serving of a nutrient-rich superfood.
Hydrating Chia Seeds
Measure out 1 tablespoon of chia seeds into a jar. Add 9 tablespoons of water, stir, wait a minute, stir some more, repeat till the seeds have created their mucilaginous gel and are evenly distributed. Put a lid on the jar and chill in the fridge. This mixture will last for a few days making it easy to spoon out what you need to add into foods. You can make as much or little of this mixture as you need using the 1:9 ratio.
Chia seeds are highly hydrophilic and will hold lots of water. In earlier times tribesmen would make up this mixture when they had to cross expanses where water was sparse. Today runners are discovering they can have a hydration source, that helps retain electrolytes and provides protein at their finger tips in an easy to drink source. You can use it as a great way to get water in when going on those exhausting mall excursions.
Because of the gel created by the chia seeds when hydrated in water the impact of sugars on the body is slowed. A barrier is formed by the chia gel, which keeps digestive enzymes from quickly breaking down the carbohyrates that normally give you a sugar spike. This could be a great benefit to diabetics as they could mix chia seeds with food higher in sugar and help reduce the sugar spike issue.
When the hydrated chia seeds are digested this is done easily and their nutrients quickly assimilated by the body. The fiber in the chia seeds helps your colon to stay clean by aiding in dislodging and eliminating old waste as it sweeps through your intestinal track. Some people report their stools become more regular when eating chia seeds often. Add in some other great facts: Chia is gluten-free, Reasonably priced, A concentrated food, Very versatile when mixing with many types of foods. Reaching for that spoon yet?
You can use chia where ever you would use flax. Here are a couple of recipes to to help you get started. “Whole-Grain” Chocolate Waffles and Chia Fresca.
Share how you use Chia seeds in the comments below.
We love our Chia Seeds too! They definitely should not be wasted on making cute planter pets! ha ha! We put chia in yogurt, smoothies and sprinkle it on homemade granola and add some homemade almond milk or raw milk. My hubby is a cyclist and absolutely loves chia before long rides. Thanks for this informative post! Always enjoy your articles, recipes and insights. Your recipe for homemade soaked granola is THE BEST! We tweaked it a bit and make it literally every single week! We do not eat boxed cereals – granola is it for us when we’re in the mood for “cereal” with milk. Blessings to you, kel
we use chia seeds in smoothies, yogurt and homemade granola – YOUR awesome soaked granola, which truly is THE BEST!
thanks for sharing this info. I have just started hearing about these seeds. I’m interested in learning more about them and eventually using them.
same way i eat it…..and its fun once they “expand” lol
Would eating the seeds and drinking a glass of water after have the same effect of making the gel and then eating it?
Yes the same effect basically happens. INSTEAD of water to hydrate the chia seeds the liquid in your stomach would hydrate the seeds and the gel would be created. This can be of benefit for IBS and acid reflux because it would help absorb some of the excess acid and release it overtime as it is digested. You would have to take the seeds with a small amount of water to get them down, without water at all it would be like trying to swallow a handful of dust. Yuk! You could add the seeds to a shake or drink and let them hydrate using the drinks liquid. They can also be ground, but you will have to ask Shannon for more advice on grinding them. Hydrating them with water is a simple “guy type task” that I can do in the kitchen, I can even use a fork to stir with.
– Jeff
Ha ha! Thanks so much!
yum i eat them daily in a chia pudding for breakfast
yum i eat them daily in a chia pudding for breakfast