Chia Seeds
 

I see many of you posting about using Chia Seeds.

What are they?
What health benefit do they have?
How are you using them?

Always learning something new here.

Thanks in advance!

Chia seeds are tiny little seeds full of Omega 3s, protein, antioxidants, and fiber. According to my package of nutiva brand seeds, 1 tablespoon contains 5g of fiber and 3 g protein. I think they are pretty much flavorless but do add a bit of a gelatinous, almost tapioca-like texture when added to liquid. They pretty much absorb up whatever liquid you add them to, they don't stay in seed form in liquid. I add them to my smoothies and it makes them a little bit thicker and I feel full longer. You can also mix them with milk, almond milk, soy milk, hemp milk, etc to make a "pudding." Add fruit or cocoa or sweeteners or nut butter for some flavor. Also good with overnight oats where you soak plain rolled oats and chia in milk overnight and then add fruits or whatever the next morning for breakfast. Very filling. There are other threads on here about chia if you know how to use the search option, I'm not feeling ambitious enough to look them up to link to right now though :)

Oh, P.S. they are a bit expensive. My 14oz (33 Tablespoon) bag cost me 9.99 at a local natural food store. You can get them in bulk through amazon for cheaper, i believe.

Here's one thread to get you started: Chia Chat. My husband has been a convert ever since I bought some after reading about them on 3FC. He adds them to his morning oatmeal concoction. I don't ever think to do anything with them myself.

Thanks Karen! Funny, your post sounds exactly like the one I just posted! Guess I should have done a search first....

Can't remember if I mentioned this in that other thread, but I buy the ground and add 2T to my egg in the morning. With some baking powder it makes a pancake-ish omelet. It keeps me completely full until lunch and nothing else ever did that. DW is now a convert for that reason and the omega 3s.

I eat chia seeds each morning for breakfast as a pudding. A 16 oz. bag at my local health food store costs $6.99 (but I actually think it is mismarked, and supposed to cost $10.99 according to the shelf sticker, but I am not going to say anything - this has been going on for months) and lasts me at least two weeks. I make a breakfast pudding with 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 4 tbsp. chia, 1 teasp. carob, and some fresh fruit, and it is fabulous and so healthy. Plus you can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for days. Reminds me I need to make some more for tomorrow and the weekend...

Thanks for the tips, I am excited to pick up a bag and get started with it! That breakfast pudding sounds good.

I bought a big scoop full from Whole Foods and paid $1.29 for it. Made the oatmeal and didn't care for it. I too am stuck as to what to use the rest for but will now experiment! Thanks!!!

I have chia every day, both in my breakfast smoothie and stirred into my yogurt for my mid-day snack. The trick is to stir it in and let it sit for at least an hour to swell and gel. I also love it in my overnight oats and stirred into a glass of Crystal Light.

Most of our local grocery chains carry it, and I either get the Spectrum brand or Bob's Red Mill, and pay around $6 for a large bag.