Marisa's Healthy Kitchen

What are Chia Seeds?
Chia seed is an ancient superfood that was used for centuries prior to the Chia Pet. They were once a staple of the Incan, Mayan and Aztec cultures, as well as the Native Americans of the southwest.  Chia Seeds were used as an energy food and they were called “Indian Running Food” as the messengers would carry a pouch of them and only need a tablespoon to sustain them for 24 hours. 

Nutritional Profile:

• 2 x more protein than any other seed or grain
• 5 x the calcium of milk and also contains the mineral boron, which acts as catalyst for the absorption and utilization of the calcium by the body. 
• 2 x the potassium as bananas
• 3 x more iron than spinach 
• A wonderful ration of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids
• Complete source of Protein and provide all the essential amino acids
• They become gelatinous when mixed with liquid due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. They can hold 9-12 times their weight in water and they absorb it very rapidly – in under 10 minutes.
• High antioxidant content 
• The ‘Dieter’s Dream Food’ – it can be used as a Food Extender/Calorie Displacer. You can easily bulk up your normal recipes with Chia and only eat half the calories while getting so much more nutritious benefits.

Other benefits: 

• Extra energy, strength, endurance “Indian Running Food”  
• Balances blood sugar
• Weight loss
• Intestinal regularity
• Slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar which helps the energy from food be released steadily into the body, diminishing the highs and lows and resulting in more endurance.
• Water retention and hydration – this regulates the body’s absorption of nutrients more efficiently which keeps the level of electrolytes balanced. 
• Muscle and tissue builder
• Easy to Digest
• Inexpensive
• Fast and Versatile

How to use Chia:
To make the basic gel add 1/3 cup of seeds to 2 cups of water. Whisk the mixture well, to avoid clumping, and then leave it in your fridge, in a sealed container. After 10 minutes you can begin to eat the gel but more of the nutrients will be easily accessible after a few hours. It will stay good for about three weeks. Having the gel in the fridge makes it easy to add to your recipes; smoothies, salad dressings, puddings, etc. Chia seeds will absorb any kind of liquid so you can use nut milks or fruit juices to vary the taste. You can also use whole seeds by putting them on top of your salads or in granola or by grinding them to add to almost anything.

My Wonderful Husband requested this picture