Name this superfood: Awesome plant based source of Omega-3 fatty acids, high in antioxidants, high in minerals phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese (these minerals help you maintain a healthy weight, give energy, and boost metabolism). This amazing superfood also contains 1/3 of your DRI for fiber in just TWO tablespoons, and can last in your pantry for up to 2 years without refrigeration due to their high antioxidant content.
If you guessed CHIA SEEDS you guessed right! Chia seeds have taken the health food world by storm showing up in kombucha drinks, cereals, snack foods, and more. I enjoy chia seeds in SO many different ways, here are some ways I enjoy chia seeds, as well as some chia seed products I tend to avoid.
Go for it:
Chia seed pudding! (SO EASY-1/4 cup chia seeds with 1 cup of cocount milk and 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup). This is my FAVORITE way to eat chia seeds. It tastes great and has a similar texture to a childhood favorite; tapioca pudding. This tasty, simple pudding makes a quick and healthy breakfast. I usually top mine with fresh or frozen fruit and cinnamon.
Mix 16 ounces of plain water with the juice of 1/2 lime, 1/2 lemon, and a teaspoon of maple syrup for a hydrating beverage. When mixed with liquids, the outer shell of the chia seed swells and forms a gel like consistency. If you like bubble tea or the bottled "Mamma Chia" drinks you'll like this! This drink is WAY better for you than bottled sports drinks which have sugar and food coloring. Chia seeds are a natural way to stay hydrated-they are hydrophillic which means they absorb about 10 times their weight in water. These amazing seeds were known as "the running food" as they used to sustain Tarahumara barefoot runners in Mexico on 50-100 mile runs.
Add chia seeds to your smoothie-they make a filling snack or breakfast because of their high fiber and protein combo. I like to make breakfast smoothies with either coconut or almond milk, ice, frozen fruit, chia seeds, and a little honey.
Sprinkle them on top of your oatmeal or on your granola or yogurt. Chia seeds can actually be digested whole unlike flax, which has to be ground to release it's nutrients.
What I'd avoid:
Mamma Chia drinks: These drinks do have good nutrients in them, but they also have 14 grams of sugar from agave, which is a sweetener I personally don't eat. They also list "organic flavors" on their ingredient list, which I'm always a little wary of because if they had used a whole food they would have just listed "orange", "strawberry", etc. What are these "flavors"??? Instead of buying one of the Mamma Chia drinks, make the above hydration drink or you can add chia seeds to coconut water, green juice, or your own kombucha.
Chia seeds at Jamba Juice: Jamba Juice is unfortunately sometimes the best option for a snack at the mall, but many of their smoothies have a base of sugary sorbet or icecream, and many of their ingredients are not organic or GMO free. I don't know whether their chia seeds that they use as a "boost" are organic or not-but you would be better off buying your own chia seeds and adding them to your own smoothie so you can control the sugar content and quality of ingredients.
Kashi's Heart to Heart nutty chia flax barley and oat cereal. This cereal seems like it's wholesome and good when you take a first look, but on the ingredients list it lists "natural flavors" as well as preservatives. You'd be better off making your own granola or oatmeal at home. Kashi recently did announce that they are beginning to certify several of their products as GMO free-however this cereal is not one of them and as it DOES contain several corn products I wouldn't eat it since corn is a high risk GMO crop.
I buy my chia seeds at New Seasons or Whole Foods in bulk-that's usually cheaper than buying them packaged in the health food or supplement section. You can also buy them from Trader Joes, although the only ones I have seen there are not organic.
Happy chia seeding it up people!
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