10 Benefits of Chia Seeds and Chia Fruit Bowls
2012
Chia is one of my favorite seeds. It has barely any taste and so it is easy to add it into many recipes. It is one of those ingredients that you add more for it’s texture and consistency than for its flavor. Chia swells up and creates a gel around it when it is in liquid. This gel binds foods really well, in a similar way that eggs do, and so for creating vegan and raw recipes it’s really functional. The big bonus with eating chia is that it is abundantly nutritious and has a large list of benefits. It has so many benefits that it is hard to choose which are the most important, but I created a list of 10 of what I think are the biggest benefits of eating this wonderful superfood. Once you realize how amazing this little seed is you will want to eat it every day! I do.
10 Benefits of eating Chia Seeds
1. Chia fills you up quickly and will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours. This is due to it’s swelling nature. Chia swells up to 9 times its size when placed in any liquid and so it grows and this expanding quality gives you a full feeling without high calories.
2. Chia gives you energy. It is called the runners seed and is well known for giving strength, endurance and stamina to those who consume it. It was used my the Mayan warriors and their running messengers who were away and needed a quick and easy to carry source of energy. They carried pouches filled with chia!
3. Chia balances your blood sugar levels making it great for diabetics and those with hyperglycemia.
4. High protein. Chia has all 9 essential amino acids in proper proportions as well as many non essential amino acids. It’s a muscle building superfood!
5. EFA’s. Chia has a similar essential fatty acid profile as flax seed with an ideal ratio (3:2) of it’s omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids,, recommended by nutrition experts.
6. Fiber. Chia has a high fiber content which helps with elimination and is beneficial in that it sweeps the toxins out of your body. Chia contains bot soluble and insoluble fiber. The interior of the seed is coated with soluble fibers which gel, making you feel full and beneficial in keeping the colon hydrated. The exterior is protected with insoluble fiber, which does not contribute calories or break down but aids the movement of food and keeps the digestive process flowing smoothly.
7. Chia is high in antioxidants, which is unusual for most seeds, but chia has them!
8. High in nutrients. Not only is chia considered a complete protein, have an abundance of EFA’s, beneficial fiber but it also is packed with minerals and vitamins. It is a true nutritional superfood!
9. Brain Power. Chia has a great combination of nutrients and EFA’s to make it great for your thinking, memory and focus abilities. It will help to make you smart!
10. Weight loss. The combination of making you feel full quickly for hours and getting high levels of nutrition in addition to lots of fiber make it a dieter’s dream come true! If you are trying to lose weight, eat chia, often!
Here is a way to easily add chia into your day: Cut up fruit and sprinkle chia seeds over it. Stir, let sit 5-10 minutes and eat. You can eat it just like this, as I often do, or add a little almond milk and even a drizzle of maple syrup, if you feel a need for a real sweet fix.
Chia Fruit Bowls
General Directions: Cut up one to one and a half cups of fruit in a bowl. Sprinkle one tablespoon of chia seeds over fruit and stir. Let sit 10 minutes and then it’s ready to eat!
Experiment with your favorite fruits. Try tropical or add other berries: blueberries or raspberries. Get colorful and creative!
Chia Fruit Bowl with Peaches and Strawberries
Cut up a half of a peach (or a whole one) and 6-7 strawberries. Place in a bowl and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chia seeds on top and stir in. Wait about 10 minutes before eating. The moisture from the cut fruit will enable the chia to swell up.
Delicious with a little almond milk on top!
Chia Fruit Bowl with Banana. Pear and Strawberry
Cut up a half or one small banana, a half of a pear (or a whole one) and 6-7 strawberries. Place in a bowl and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chia seeds on top and stir in. Wait about 10 minutes before eating. The moisture from the cut fruit will enable the chia to swell up.
Drizzle almond milk on top if desired!
Enjoy, in vibrant health!
