Long gone are the days when “chia” was only associated with vegetative afros of the iconic and “oh so 90’s” Chia Pet. Now, instead of sprinkling chia seeds on ceramic statues, people are sprinkling them in their diet in tastefully clever ways.
Despite being small and humble in appearance, chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. Each one is rich with protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to make your muscles stronger, your poops more enjoyable and your brain livelier.
Indeed they truly are a superfood.
Unlike traditional snack seeds such as sunflower, chia seeds possess the remarkable ability to absorb up to 10 times their own volume in liquid. This makes them ideal to add to smoothies and even juices to boost both satiety and nutritional factors.
Unfamiliar with how to start using them? Try:
- Add them to a salad
- Pour them in your beverage
(water, kombucha, tea or smoothie), then shake or blend and within minutes, the
chia seeds will swell up to thicken your liquid - Try baking with them or using them as an egg replacement
- Chia bowl for breakfast
Chia Breakfast Bowl
Serves two. Leftovers will keep for at least a week.
- Stir 1/4 cup chia seeds with
1 cup milk of your choice and let the chia seeds rest and swell overnight in the fridge. - The next morning add your
chia seeds to a blender along with another 1/4 cup of milk and a pinch of
salt. Blend on high for about 30 seconds and divide the porridge into two
bowls.
Bowl topping combinations:
- Seasonal fruit + chopped
almonds or walnuts - Cocoa powder (add while
blending) + honey + chopped chocolate chips - Shredded coconut + dried
mango + lime zest (try using coconut milk as your milk base) - Pistachios + chopped dates +
orange zest - Runny nut butter + jam +
extra pinch of sea salt
Whether you enjoy them raw and crunchy or their slurpier side, exploring chia seeds can transform your food and your health.
Grace Kerfoot can be reached at [email protected] or @gracekerf on Twitter.
