21 Healthy Reasons To Eat Chia Seeds Daily

 “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are.” -Brillat-Savarin

 Chia seeds are a wonderful gift from nature.

I drink a glass of water each morning that has a tablespoon of chia seeds in it that have been soaked over night. I have been doing this for maybe 4 or 5 years. I first came across chia seeds at a Health show and the man selling Australian grown chia seeds told me,  since taking a tablespoon a day he had stopped taking all other supplements as chia is full of so many nutrients. My ears sparked up. Des and I were taking a Glucosamine with Condroitin supplement for our joints.  I bought a large bag of the seeds and started the morning ritual that has continued since.. I went off the supplement straight away and Des about 3 months later. Since then Des has had no knee pain.

 Chia comes from the plant Salvia Hispanica

Chia was first used by the Aztecs as early as 3500 B.C. and was a cash crop in the centre of Mexico between 1500 and 900 B.C.  Chia was harvested in the Valley of Mexico between 2600 and 2000 B.C. by the Teotihuacan and Toltec civilizations and was one of the main components of the Aztec diet.

Pre-Columbian civilizations used chia as a raw material for medicines, nutritional compounds.  Chia was used by the Aztecs as food, mixed with other foods, mixed in water and drunk as a beverage, ground into flour, included in medicines, and pressed for oil.  Chia flour could be stored for many years and could be easily carried on long trips, serving as a high-energy food.  The aztecs also offered chia to the gods during religious ceremonies.

 

21 Healthy Reasons to Add Chia to Your Daily Menu:

1. Chia contains 20% Omega 3 ALA, making it a super food for the brain and heart. Chia has eight times more Omega 3 than salmon!
2. Great source of fiber, with 20 grams per 1/4 cup serving.  Good news for your digestive tract!
3. Chia is Gluten Free
4. Chia boasts 20% protein and is a  complete protein with all 8 essential amino acids
5. It is high in antioxidants (It has a four times higher ORAC value than blueberries)
6. Chia seeds are known to stabilize blood sugar levels
7. Chia contains seven times more vitamin C than oranges
8. Chia contains three times more iron than spinach
9. Chia contains twice the potassium content of banana
10. Chia is food for healthy skin.
11. Chia gives glossy hair and stronger nails
12. Chia is rich in minerals like Calcium, Manganese, and Phosphorus
13. It has a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels (making it awesome for diabetics)
14. Chia makes a great egg replacement. Just combine with water to form a gel, and add it to recipes that call for egg. Great alternative for vegans or people sensitive to eggs.
15. Chia also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.
16. Chia seeds contain high levels of calcium, together with boron, which is of great benefit to bone health.
17. Chia seeds help with constipation
18. Chia seeds can give you more energy
19. Chia seeds are low in calories
20. Chia seeds are filling so can be good for weight loss
21. Chia gel provides hydration and  help retain electrolytes – great for athletes as an energy drink.

How Much Chia each Day.

I have 1 tablespoon most days just in water, I have read where 2 tablespoons are recommended. With chia you must remember to drink lots of water as they bulk up. You can read about side effects here

 How To Use Chia

Chia is tasteless, comes in either black or white seeds, so lends itself to a multitude of recipes. Today I have made  a chia fruit pudding, so easy .

CHIA Pudding Recipe: Serves 4

4 tablespoons of chia seeds

400 mls  (13.5 oz)of Almond Milk. You can substitute this with coconut water or milk or your favourite milk.

1/2 teaspoon of organic vanilla essence, vanilla bean would be better, but I didn’t have any.

1 cup of berries ( I used frozen raspberries and  fresh strawberries)

1/2 a cup of organic shredded coconut

Cinnamon

 

Add the chia seeds, the milk, the fruit, the vanilla into into a bowl and mix. Then add in the shredded coconut and stir, sprinkle with cinnamon.

Place a piece of cling wrap over the bowl and allow it to set in the fridge for 3 hours or more.

When it is ready take out of the bowl and spoon onto serving bowls. You can top with coconut yoghurt, nuts, key you imagination run wild.  I was thinking a raspberry coulis would be yummy.

After researching chia seeds I now have many new ways to use them that I  will share in another article.

After many people asking my about my alkaline eating regime and when was the recipe book coming I have decided to add in a Heal Your Body or Healthy Life category, with more recipes.

Please share your chia experiences in the comments

Please Share this article on your favorite social networks and with your community. This can help others heal and transform their lives. Thank you!”♥♥

with love and gratitude

from my ♡ to yours ♡

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