What to know about Chia Seeds

Chia seeds can just about be found at any grocery store nowadays. You've heard of chia pudding? This is something you've probably seen on a menu in a café. Well you can enjoy these trendy menu items right in your home! To find out more about chia seeds and their benefits, read the below!

What to Know Chia seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family. This plant is Salvia, found in parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Quality chia seeds are naturally black or white in color. Chia seeds are one of the oldest forms of nutrition. They were a staple of Mayan and Aztec diets. Chia seeds can expand to hold about 10 times their dry weight in liquid. When the liquid is absorbed, the seeds expand into gel-like ball resembling tapioca balls.

How to Eat It Now you can enjoy the trendy café style chia pudding right in your home. An easy and popular way to eat chia seeds is to mix a quarter-cup of the seeds in one cup of liquid. I use almond milk but you can also try fruit juices as well. Store in your fridge and once the seeds have congealed and the mixture is no longer watery, your chia pudding is ready to eat. Chia seeds don't have a ton of flavor so add spices, chopped fruit, nuts, and any other toppings you’d like.

You can also add dry chia seeds to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad. Even freeze it into a popcicle! Get creative with these and reap the benefits.

Health Benefits

Chia seeds have several benefits. They are often referred to as a “superfood”. They have around 140 calories per two tablespoons. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. They also contain all nine essential amino acids, which we have to get from food because we don’t produce naturally. No matter how you eat them, whole, wet or ground, you will get the same benefits.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20