*CHIA SEEDS:*
Chia seeds are the tiny black seeds of the chia plant. In fact, “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength”.
Chia seeds contain large amounts of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, plenty of high quality protein, and several essential minerals and antioxidants.
They may improve digestive health, blood levels of heart-healthy omega-3s, and risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.
*Nutrition facts*
Chia seeds contain 138 calories per ounce (28 grams).
By weight, they are 6% water, 46% carbohydrates (of which 83% is fiber), 34% fat, and 19% protein.
The nutrients in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of chia seeds are:
Calories: 486
Water: 6%
Protein: 16.5 grams
Carbs: 42.1 grams
Sugar: 0 grams
Fiber: 34.4 grams
Fat: 30.7 grams
Saturated: 3.33 grams
Monounsaturated: 2.31 grams
Polyunsaturated: 23.67 grams
Omega-3: 17.83 grams
Omega-6: 5.84 grams
Trans: 0.14 grams
*7 Enticing Health Benefits of Chia Seeds*
1. Highly nutritious
2. Loaded with antioxidants
3. Support weight loss
4. Lower your risk of heart disease
5. Contain many important bone nutrients
6. Reduce blood sugar levels
7. Easy to incorporate into your diet
Chia seeds are incredibly easy to incorporate into your diet. They taste rather bland, so you can add them to pretty much anything.
You don’t need to grind, cook, or otherwise prepare them, making them a handy addition to recipes.
They can be eaten raw, soaked in juice, or added to oatmeal, pudding, smoothies, and baked goods. You can also sprinkle them on top of cereal, yogurt, vegetables, or rice dishes. Plus, they work wonders in homemade fritters as a binding agent.
