Chia-the little seed that could: A tiny powerhouse of nutrients

Wanna curb your sweetest cravings, improve the quality of your bowel movements and feed your brain with healthy fats? Get to know Chia seeds! These cute & tiny little seeds are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins.

Oily benefits
The name chia comes from the Aztec word ‘chian’ which means ‘oily.’ This describes one of the most prominent health benefits of chia seeds. They are very high in omega-3 Essential Fatty acids– a beneficial type of unsaturated fat. As a matter of fact, chia seeds feature a perfect balance of essential fatty acids: 30% of the oil in chia seeds is omega-3 oil and 40% is omega 6 oil.

Slippery little suckers
Studies show that the mucilaginous gel that forms around chia seeds once immersed in water, physically prevents the quick break down of carbohydrates in the body, by slowing down the action of the enzymes on carbs. Thus consuming Chia seeds slows down our bodies’ conversion of carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. This is a fantastic way of preventing spikes in blood sugar levels whether you’re diabetic, hypoglycemic, crave sugar or even as a preventative. Chia seeds are highly hydrophilic which means that they’re capable of absorbing 10 times their weight in water and so when they are soaked and eaten, they add to the hydration of our cells.

How do you eat em’?
Easy! In Mexico, whole chia seeds are mixed with water or fruit juice to create something they call ‘chia fresca’ which is a healthy and refreshing drink. You can also sprout chia seeds much the same way you would sprout any other seed and use them in salads.

Another creative way to use the seeds is to make this delicious recipe for Chia seed gel. This concoction comes in very handy for those wishing to lose weight. When in our digestive systems, this gel prevents the absorption of some of the food and calories that we eat which allows us to eat less and stay full for longer.

Here’s a wonderful recipe for Chia seed gel. It’s a very filling dessert or snack that you can eat in between meals or if you feel like something sweet after meal. Helps keep you from getting hungry late at night and helps to keep those pesky sweet cravings at bay!

Apricot, Chia Gel