So THAT'S Why We Should Be Eating Chia Seeds | HuffPost Life - Action News
Home WebMail Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 09:30 AM | Calgary | -0.5°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
  • No news available at this time.
Posted: 2016-01-07T11:01:40Z | Updated: 2016-03-21T15:53:57Z

Chia seeds are becoming a bigger and bigger part of the health food scene. And if you're someone who makes an effort to eat healthier, you may have dabbled in a chia seed recipe or two . These tiny black seeds are tasteless -- and undergo a really cool gelatinous transformation when wet -- so they're easy enough to incorporate into your diet. But do you have any idea why you should actually be doing so?

As much as we like chia seed pudding , we wondered if chia was really worth all the hype so we investigated -- and what we found was a resounding yes. If you're looking to add more good-for-you foods into your diet, chia is a great ingredient to incorporate. Here are the five main reasons why:

1. They're full of our favorite thing: antioxidants.

Antioxidants are good not only good for our cells -- protecting them from the effects of free radicals -- but they're great for our skin, too. That could mean fewer wrinkles in the future .

2. A small serving of chia seeds has as much Omega-3 fatty acids in 2 tablespoons as 4 ounces of salmon.

It can be hard to get the recommended amount of Omega-3s without OD-ing on salmon. Chia seeds can help you give the filet a break.

3. Chia seeds are loaded with fiber.

Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 10 grams of fiber , which is roughly 30 percent of the recommended daily intake. A high fiber diet is said reduce the risk of a number of chronic diseases.

4. They are high in protein , too.

Four grams for each serving (which is two tablespoons). That might not sound like a lot, but it adds up.

5. Chia seeds contain loads of calcium.

This is great news for anyone who doesn't like -- or just can't -- do dairy. The seeds contain five times more calcium than milk per ounce.

And just look at all the delicious things you can make with them.

Mango Smoothie
Foodie Crush
Get the Mango Smoothie recipe from Foodie Crush
Lemon & Chia Seed Pull Apart Bread
A Beautiful Mess
Get the Lemon & Chia Seed Pull Apart Bread recipe from A Beautiful Mess
Chia Buckwheat Pizza
Nyoutritious
Get the Chia Buckwheat Pizza recipe from Nyoutritious
Seeded Crispbread Crackers
Gourmande In The Kitchen
Get the Seeded Crispbread Crackers recipe from Gourmande In The Kitchen
Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding With Fresh Mint
How Sweet It Is
Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries
Two Peas and their Pod
Coconut Cream Pie Chia Seed Pudding
How Sweet It Is
Get the Coconut Cream Pie Chia Seed Pudding recipe from How Sweet It Is
Chia Seed Sandwich Thins
Nyoutritious
Get the Chia Seed Sandwich Thins recipe from Nyoutritious
Raw Chia Seed Jam
Petite Kitchen
Get the Raw Chia Seed Jam recipe from Petite Kitchen
Meyer Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
The Corner Kitchen
Get the Meyer Lemon Chia Seed Muffins recipe from The Corner Kitchen
Mocha Chocolate Chunk Chia Seed Brownies
All Day I Dream About Food
Get the Mocha Chocolate Chunk Chia Seed Brownies recipe from All Day I Dream About Food
Honey + Lime + Chia Seed Fruit Salad
Food For My Family
Get the Honey + Lime + Chia Seed Fruit Salad recipe from Food For My Family
Blueberry Cardamom Chia Seed Pudding
James Ransom/Food52
Get the Blueberry Cardamom Chia Seed Pudding recipe from Gena Hamshaw via Food52
Chocolate & Coconut Chia Seed Mousse
Maja Lukic/Food52
Get the Chocolate & Coconut Chia Seed Mousse recipe from Maja Lukic via Food52
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars
How Sweet It Is
Oatmeal With Almond Milk And Chia Seeds
Aysegul Sanford/Food52
Get the Oatmeal with Almond Milk and Chia Seeds recipe from Aysegul Sanford via Food52
Dark Chocolate And Cherry Energy Bars
Food For My Family
Get the Dark Chocolate and Cherry Energy Bars recipe from Food For My Family
Quinoa Salad With Feta And Chia Seeds
Fifteen Spatulas
Get the Quinoa Salad with Feta and Chia Seeds recipe from Fifteen Spatulas

Do you want to be more mindful about eating healthy foods thatll keep your mind and body at their best? Sign up for our newsletter and join our Eat Well, Feel Great challenge to learn how to fuel your body in the healthiest way possible. Well deliver tips, challenges and advice to your inbox every day.