Here are the benefits of Chia, see!
Saturday, December 29, 2018
the health benefits
- Has more protein than any other seed or grain
- 3 times more iron than spinach
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds contains more calcium than
- a glass of milk as Chia Pets! Full of fiber and great for getting rid of toxins and waste
- in the body
- Boosts energy and increases strength (great for pre-workouts)
- Great for diabetics because they help in slowing down the release of sugar into the body Naturally gluten and grain free!
- Can restore energy levels
- High in omega 3 oils that help to decrease inflammation
- Because they hold 10 times their weight in water, they help to prolong hydration (great for runners)
Fun Fact:
You may
remember these
powerhouse seeds from years back
being used
types of chia seeds
There are two different types of chia seeds that you can
find at the supermarket, white and black. Much like most foods, both colours
have the same amount of nutrients. You can also purchase ground chia seeds,
which are great for smoothies and baking (as an egg substitute) as they blend
easily.
how to prepare
Soaking
A popular way to eat chia seeds is to soak them to make
"Chia gel". When soaked, these seeds can absorb 10 times their
volume, in under 10 minutes!
All you need is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and half a cup of
warm water. Begin by slowly adding a few tablespoon of water and allow the
seeds to soak it up entirely. Next, gradually add the remaining water and stir
so the seeds don't clump together. Once the water is fully added you can pop
them into the fridge to sit overnight. This will allow them to fully absorb the
water and become gelatinous.
Sprouting
Just put some chia seeds in water, drain the water off and
leave in a jar for a couple days. Every 12 hours or so, rinse the seeds with
water and drain. In a day or two, you’ll have little chia sprouts, perfect for
toppers on salads, soups, and crackers.
chia in the kitchen
A safe egg replacement
Use 1 tablespoon of finely ground chia seeds (grind them dry
in a blender, food processor or coffee grinder) and 3 tablespoons of water per
egg for baking recipes.
As a thickening agent or cornstarch substitute
Great for soups and sauces. Just add a couple of tablespoons
of chia seeds (whole or ground) at a time to reach your desired thickness.
Breadcrumb replacement
Mix with almond flour for a nice crunch without the gluten.
Healthy pudding
Mix 2 cups of almond or coconut milk, ½ cup chia seeds, 2-3
tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon. vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon raw
honey to sweeten. Place in a blender until smooth and refrigerate for a few
hours, or overnight.
Homemade energy gel
Add a couple tablespoons of chia seeds to a cup of coconut
water. Let sit for about ten min and you’ll have an incredible energy gel that
you can have before a run or workout.
Chia detox drink
2-3 tablespoons of chia gel with 1 cup pure pomegranate or
cranberry juice and 1-2 cups water. Shake well and enjoy throughout the day.
how much should I
eat?
Chia seeds contain a lot of fiber and are super absorbent;
therefore you want to make sure to drink plenty of water when incorporating
them into your diet. You can either consume 3 tablespoons of chia gel twice a
day or 1 tablespoon of dry chia once a day. It's best mixed with smoothies or
juices because of their positive absorption characteristics.
Raw Apple Cinnamon Chia Bowl
Ingredients
- 1-2
medium apples grated
- 1
tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼
teaspoon cinnamon
- 1
tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1
tablespoon buckwheat groats
- ⅓ cup
unsweetened almond milk
- 2-3
chopped medjool dates
- 1 teaspoon
of maple syrup (optional)
- Handful
of nuts/seeds (sunflower, almonds, pumpkin, etc.)
Instructions
1. Place
grated apples into a bowl with the chia seeds and almond milk and let sit for 5
minutes.
2. Next, mix
in the coconut, buckwheat, cinnamon and maple syrup (optional).
3. Top your
bowl with medjool dates, and desired nuts/seeds and enjoy.