I don't know about you but the summer has left me REELING. Too much time in the sun with too many events and too many people and this chica is SOOO ready for a routine back in life! I may be the only person in the world excited that school is back in session, but hey, I'm a creature of habit. I thrive on routine! And that's why this amazing superfood is something that is consistently in my life -- in my food routine if you will. It's the Chia Seed. Yes, this little tiny thing has amazing powers :) Read below to find out why the chia seed is an amazing staple to include in your everyday.
Chia seeds are nutrient dense seeds that have massive health benefits - for both your mind and your body. They come from a plant that is related to mint called Salvia Hispanica, and have been around for a long time -- they were a big part of both the Aztec and Mayan lifestyle. Chia is actually the ancient Mayan word for strength, and these ancient civilizations looked to chia seeds for long-lasting energy.
Even though they are tiny, they are incredibly nutrient dense. One ounce (about 2 tablespoons) contains 11 g of fiber, 4 g of protein, 5 g of Omega-3s, as well as other nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc..the list goes on. Additionally, they are low in calories, a whole grain food, usually organic, non GMO and naturally gluten-free. Aren't sold yet that you should be eating these tiny suckers on anything and everything? Well read on for some more benefits:
1) Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet with their load of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.
2) They are very high in antioxidants which help the seeds from going bad, and help us by fighting free radicals in our bodies (free radicals in the body contribute to disease and damage cells).
3) The carbs in the chia seeds are almost all from fiber which is incredibly useful in the body. These seeds absorb up to 12x their weight in water, which causes them to become like gel and expand in your stomach -- which in turn increases fullness and helps you eat fewer calories. Fiber is also amazing for your gut flora.
4) Chia seeds are much higher in quality protein than most plant foods - which in turn can help with weight loss and also reduce appetite and bad cravings. And, because chia seeds have a good balance of essential amino acids, your body can more easily make use of their protein punch.
5) These tiny seeds could lower your risk of heart disease given their nutritional content (especially fiber, protein and omega-3s) when combined with other lifestyle and dietary factors. They can lower risk factors associated with heart disease like inflammation, belly fat and insulin resistance. They also may reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Pick up a bag at your next trip to the store and start sprinkling them on anything from your morning yogurt to your daily smoothie or salad. :) Let me know if you're a fan of chia seeds and what you tend to use them for in the comments below.
Source: Much of the information for this blog post came from a great resource: www.healthline.com