Versatile
Chia seeds taste amazing, so you can use them in anything from salad dressing to baked goods to pasta sauce. Add them to soups, ice cream and even juice.
Celiac-friendly
Chia seeds are gluten-free. This makes them an important source of fiber and protein that’s suitable for just about everyone. Use it to replace wheat, barley, rye and oats.
Additional Chia Health Benefits
The tiny seeds also promote weight loss by fighting insulin resistance, which is linked to an increase in belly fat.
They also contain an amino acid called Tryptophan, which helps regulate appetite, promotes better sleep and improves mood. It can also improve blood pressure in diabetics (5).
The seeds are also believed to prevent heart disease, enhance exercise performance and even reverse metabolic syndrome (6).Other benefits include (2):
- Controls blood sugar levels,
- Lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
- Raises HDL cholestrol
- Fights cardiovascular disease
- Fights colorectal cancer (7)
How To Use Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, as they can be used in pudding, baked goods and salads. They have a mild, nutty flavor that complements just about anything.
The seeds are also hydrophilic, meaning that they absorb liquid and create a gel. In under ten minutes, the seeds can soak roughly ten times it’s own weight in liquid!
You can make your own chia gel by soaking 1/3 cup of seeds in 2 cups of water or juice and letting it sit in a sealed glass container overnight.
When made with water, the gel can last up to 3 weeks in the fridge. This gel can then be used in smoothies and desserts or simply taken on its own.
The seeds can also be ground into a flour and used in vegan and gluten-free baking or as a protein shake. If you like the texture of the seeds, add them raw to granola or oatmeal for a quick energy boost.