CHIA Love What You Do To Me!

The Chia seed is considered a "super food" and is a member of the sage family.  "Chia" is actually the Mayan word for strength and this ancient culture used these little black and white seeds as a mega-energy food for their running messengers because it gave them an incredible 'sustaining' surge of energy.

Chia seeds are said to have:

2 times the protein of any other seed or grain,

5 times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones,

2 times the amount of potassium as bananas,

3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

3 times more iron than spinach

and an abundant amount of omega 3 and omega 6, which are essential fatty acids.
(Whole Chia Seed contains 2282 mg of Omega 3 and contains 752 mg of Omega 6)

2 to 3 Tablespoons a day will provide all the omega 3 your body needs.

The Chia seed is also a huge source of soluble fiber and is a complete source of protein which provides ALL the essential amino acids needed in an easily digestible form.

Chia seeds are a lot like Flax seeds except they have one advantage over flax and that is that they have a much higher antioxidant content which means they stay fresh for much longer then flax seed. You can substitute chia in any recipe that calls for flax.

Chia Seeds are a Dieter's Dream Food because when they are added to food or drink they bulk up.

These tiny, healthy seeds can be made to taste like whatever you want, and their unique gelling action keeps you feeling full for hours. When Chia seeds are soaked in liquids or foods they increase in size. They get a slippery outer gel coating around it, sort of like the feel of a tapioca bead but much smaller or a tomato seed like texture. When Chia is soaked in your food it bulks up your food which means when you eat a typical serving size you are actually only consuming about half the calories you might have eaten, because the food has been bulked up with the Chia seed that has increased its size and weight. Since the gel around the seed is made of water, it has no calories and because the gel is difficult to remove from the seed, it helps your body feel full without adding calories!

(soaked chia seeds with gel surrounding the seed)

Here's a quick little experiment to help you understand the action of a Chia seed:

Stir in a spoonful or two of Chia in a glass of water, juice or almond milk and leaving it for about 30 minutes or so, when you return the glass will appear to contain an almost solid gelatin, not seeds or water. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia.

Researchers believe this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in your stomach when food containing these gummy fibers are eaten. The gel that is formed in your stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down.

Personaly I like to premix a cup of water with 2 or 3 tablespoons of Chia seeds and refridgerate them over night. The next day all I have to do is scoop out some Chia gel seeds and mix it with my food to bulk it up so I eat less of a portion than usual.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! lol

Check out these other awesome benefits:

Chia Seeds Provides energy, Boosts strength,

strengthens Endurance, they Level out your blood sugar levels because they slow the impact of sugars on your system if eaten at the same time which means the energy from your food is released steadily, resulting in more endurance.

The Chia "gel"  that forms around the seed after it soaks up liquid or food that I told you about earlier actually creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, which means that it slows the conversion of carbs into sugar. Again, meaning the energy from your food is released steadily, resulting in more endurance.

Think of the Chia seed as a dry sponge until water is added.  The Chia seed can hold 9-12 times it's weight in water and it absorbs it very rapidly - absorption starts in under 10 minutes but as stated above, 30 minutes or more results in more absorption. Dry seeds on a salad or rolled over a banana are also a great way to enjoy the crunch of these wonder seeds.

Because it is exceptional at water-absorption it can actually help you prolong hydration and retain electrolytes, especially during exercise or hard labor. 

And because Chia seeds bulk up when in liquid, they also work like an incredible digestive broom, sweeping through your intestinal tract, helping to dislodge and eliminate old accumulated waste in the intestines. Many people find they become more regular when they eat chia.

OH Noooo...BUT WAIT! THERE'S EVEN MORE!

Chia is reported to be beneficial in:

weight loss/balance

thyroid conditions

hypo-glycaemia

diabetes

IBS

celiac disease

acid reflux and

lowering cholesterol.
 

As mentioned above, chia will absorb anything and the longer the seeds are left to soak, the more their nutrients will be readily available to you. Some people like to soak them over night in milk and mix it into oatmeal in the morning. You dont have to wait that long if you are in a hurry. You could just sprinkle some over a salad, yogurt, or on  peanut butter toast. You could even add some to soup or smoothies. The possabilities are endless!

P.S. It has been MY experence that when I eat Chia in my evening snack I tend not be tired until around 3 or 4 am....So note to self, "enjoy Chia benifits eariler in the day"

I've said it once and I'll say it again........"CHIA Love What You Do To Me!"