Chia seeds are high in protein and loaded with fiber, calcium, manganese, phosphorous, antioxidants and omega-3s. That is quite a lot for such a tiny seed. Because chia seeds are so good for us we have put together a list of 5 health benefits and 5 delicious recipes. You can add chia seeds to everything since they are tasteless so they won’t affect the flavour of your food. The only thing they add besides a ton of health benefits is texture.Before you eat chia seeds let them soak in water overnight. This step prevents an uncomfortable experience in your stomach. After they have been soaked they are safe to eat. Chia seeds develop a gelatinous coating which some raw foodists believe it helps them to move swiftly through the digestive tract.
Help with weight loss
Don’t be fooled by the size! Many health experts believe that chia seeds can help to lose weight. The reason behind it is that chia seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid. It helps to regulate our appetite, sleep and it improves our mood. Also the fiber in the seeds absorb a large amount of water which expands in the stomach and increases the feeling of fullness.
Stronger bones and teeth
Calcium, manganese and phosphorous are responsible for strong bones and teeth while it also prevents us from getting osteoporosis.
Plenty of Proteins
Chia seeds are perfect for vegetarians because they don’t have any cholesterol but almost 10% of the daily recommended amount of proteins (in one serving).
Fiber for better digestion
One-ounce serving contains 11 grams of dietary fiber. That is about a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. Fiber is important for digestive health. It normalizes our bowel movement and helps to maintain a healthy bowel. Fiber also helps to control blood sugar levels and lowers our cholesterol level.
Omega-3
Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with almost 5 grams in just one-ounce serving! Omega-3 has a wide range of health benefits including a lower risk of coronary heart disease, improvement in cholesterol and a healthy brain.As mentioned before you can add chia seeds to everything. Here are 5 yummy recipes.
Chia Pudding:
All you need is ¼ cup of chia seeds, 1 cup of coconut milk (or any milk you like) and ½ tbs honey. Put everything in a mason jar and leave it in the fridge overnight. The chia seeds will gelle overnight and you can enjoy this pudding for breakfast.
Antioxidant berry smoothie:
You need: 1 cup frozen mixed berries, 1/2 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 tbs chia seeds. Combine all ingredients in a blender, and mix until smooth. This smoothie is high in vitamin C and fiber. Trust us, it will become your favorite!
Blueberry Chia Muffins:
You will need: 1 tbs chia seeds, 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup sweet potato puree, 1 cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 egg whites, 1/2 cup agave syrup, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbs vanilla extract, 1/2 cup blueberries.Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Mix together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients; fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients.Mix together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients; fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Chia Seed Jam
This recipe is perfect for anyone who likes making their own jam. You can use this recipe as a basic template for chia jam. Play around with different fruits to find your favorite combination. The jam will last 1 - 2 weeks in the fridge.For 1 ½ cups of jam, you need 10 ounces of fruit (fresh or frozen), 2 tbs honey, 2 tsp ginger juice or grated ginger, 1 ½ tsp lime juice, plus the zest of 1 lime, 2 ½ tbs chia seeds and a pinch of salt.Cook fruit for about 10 minutes in a small saucepan, stir occasionally. The fruit is done when you get a saucy and broken down consistency. Mashing the fruit with a spoon helps. Add honey, ginger and salt and cook for another minute. Turn off the flame and add the rest of the ingredients. Adjust the flavor to your liking by adding more honey or lemon juice. Stir to evenly distribute. Let it cool down completely and then refrigerate the jam.
Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats is one of our favorite breakfast. It is easy to make, healthy and perfect for everyone on the go. All you need for overnight oats are ½ cup oats, ½ tbs honey or maple syrup, ½ cup of any type of milk, 1 tbs chia seeds, 1 tsp vanilla extract, berries and nuts. Fill a mason jar with oats and add the chia seeds. Mix everything and add the rest of the ingredients. Don’t forget to chop the nuts. Put it in the fridge and the next morning you have a delicious already prepared breakfast. It can’t get any better, can it?
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