Chia Seed Comeback: The Healthy Alternative

Everyone hears at some point in their lives that “your body is a temple” and most of the time this comment gets brushed off without the importance of the saying truly being grasped. Your body is something sacred and it’s the only one you have so you need to be good to it and only put the best nutrients in it! Another super food that is making its way into many recipes is the Chia seed. This seed is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Although this seed may be firmly planted in our minds, as the seeds that gave life to the gag gift know as the chia pet, it is now becoming a top choice food of the health conscious.

 

Chia seeds are making a come back in the year 2013 and people can reap the many health benefits by adding them to their diets. Chia is the richest vegetable source for omega 3 fatty acid. It has up to 10 times the oil of most other grains and up to twice the protein. These oils are essentials for the absorption of vitamins A, B, E and K. Chia is also rich in calcium and the mineral boron, which aids in the absorption of calcium.

 

Chia seeds are also ideal when it comes to weight loss being that they reduce food cravings by preventing some of the food that you eat from getting absorbed into your system. The blockage of calorie absorption makes them a great diet helper. They can also improve your diet and health goals by making you feel fuller faster. This is because they absorb 10 times their weight in water, forming a bulky gel.

 

Athletes especially can benefit from utilizing this helpful seed because the “chia gel” that is formed can hydrate the body. They are a fast and easy way to add energy to your body without adding extra fat. This energy source for athletes won’t weigh you down or feel heavy in your stomach after eating them. People with diabetes can also indulge in this seed and receive benefits. Chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. It is clear chia seeds are making a comeback and should definitely be considered when choosing new health foods.

 

Here are some great ways to enjoy chia seeds:

 

They can be eaten raw. (They have a nice “nutty” flavor.)

 

They can be soaked in fruit juice (in Mexico, they call this “chia fresca”).

 

They’re perfect in porridges and puddings.

 

They make an ideal addition to baked goods including breads, cakes and biscuits.