Chia pets have been around since 1977, selling about 500,000 plants per year. Going even further back to circa 3500 BC chia seeds have been consumed as a nutrient-packed superfood. Chia seeds started to regain popularity as a dietary supplement in 2012, and now it seems that all of our nutrition leaders have come down with chia fever.
Chia seeds come from the salvia plant. They are gluten and grain free, fitting into most nutrition plans (keto, paleo, vegan/vegetarian, gluten free, diabetic and more!) Just two tablespoons of these little guys have more potassium than a banana, two times the antioxidants than blueberries, almost half of your recommended daily fiber, double the omega 3 than salmon, ⅓ of the daily recommended magnesium, five times more calcium than milk, zinc, protein and B-vitamins! They are said to aid in burning fat, increasing energy, maintaining heart health, stabilizing blood sugar, cleansing the colon, reducing inflammation and for containing dental benefits. No wonder they are gaining popularity like crazy!
Chia seeds absorb water and grow dramatically in size. For that reason, they are enjoyed in smoothies because they tend to expand in the stomach, making you feel fuller. They are also often mixed with water and left overnight to absorb. In the morning they are a gel texture that can be used in many recipes.
To make the gel, just mix 1 part chia seeds to 3 parts water. This ratio can be used as an egg substitute in baking, can be mixed into oatmeal or yogurt, or can be used to thicken soups and beverages.
Chia seeds are little powerhouses of nutrition, and can be a great addition to your diet. I always prefer to get my nutrients from natural food sources instead of a vitamin supplement, and chia seeds are a great resource for meeting those goals without a large volume of food.
I’ll be adding my chia seed to the top of a protein smoothie bowl for lunch. How do you enjoy your chia? Let me know in the comments!
Stay healthy. Stay Kind.
(And sing me a little ‘chi-chi-chi-chia’ before you go!)
-Kate
3-Ingredient Chia Pudding
Prep Time 5 mins
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 155
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 cup almond milk or milk of choice
1 teaspoon honey or other sweetener, optional
Strawberries or other fruits for topping
Instructions:
Pour ingredients into a jar and mix well. Let settle for 2-3 minutes then mix again very well until you see no clumping.
Cover the jar and store in the fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours.
Top with your favorite fruit, nut butters, granola or your favorite mix-ins and enjoy cold!
source:https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/3-ingredient-chia-pudding/
Kate and the Kids 