Ever feel like health food recommendations are too much to manage? Chia seeds, couscous, quinoa, hemp seeds, MCT oil, and the list goes on and on. What’s the best way to eat chia seeds for weight loss and better health? If you are like me, I had not even heard of a chia seed before a few years ago!
They can be found in health food stores as well as some mainstream stores as they have become a staple in many health-conscious homes these days.
I have learned so much about healthy eating in my 40s and so happy I made the changes when I did. It’s funny because a lot of the healthy foods I eat now had to grow on me. It sometimes takes a couple of times trying a new food before I start liking it. So, take it from me, don’t give up right away on chia seeds or anything else before you give it an honest try.
What is the benefit of chia seeds?
Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients, these gems have become one of the most popular and powerful foods on the planet. Adding more of them to your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, manage blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, improve digestive health, strengthen bones, promote weight loss and do so much more.
5 Ways to Eat Chia Seeds
There are so many different ways to eat chia seeds. It’s really such a versatile little seed. They have a great nutty flavor, they are gluten free and can be eaten raw or soaked in a liquid.
Make a Chia Pudding
Chia seed puddings have become incredibly popular- and that’s because they taste super yummy too! All you need to do is soak some chia seeds in milk or water overnight to allow them to absorb as much as they can. In the morning, mix in a natural sweetener like honey and some added flavor (vanilla or cocoa powder) and give it a good mix.
You can even top this with some fresh fruits and have it as a healthy breakfast.
Add ‘Em Into Muffins
Most muffins tend to be loaded with fats and sugars, but if you’re still looking to sneak some healthy goodness into them, there’s no better way than this! Just add a teaspoon or two into the muffin batter, give it a nice mix, and that’s it! Since chia seeds have a neutral flavor, they won’t affect the taste of your muffins.
And of course, you can always add them to your homemade granola bars, cookies or even your morning pancakes!
Sprinkle Sprinkle
This trick can be incredibly useful for all those who don’t like the slimy texture of chia seeds. You can grind them and sprinkle them on your bowl of oatmeal or cereal. Another excellent way to put them to use is to sprinkle whole (unsoaked) chia seeds on your salads to give it a nice element of crunch.
Some food enthusiasts also bet by using chia seeds as a crumb coat mixture for chicken and other meats, and others claim that it can be used to thicken gravies too!
Dry chia seeds are even good for acid reflux since they will absorb the acid!
Sneak ‘Em Into Smoothies
One of the best ways to sneak in chia seeds into your meals is to add them to your smoothies. Make sure you soak them for a while before you add them to the smoothie mix though. You’ll be surprised at how they land an amazing texture and consistency to your smoothies.
Chia Seed Water
And last, but definitely not the least, the absolute no-brainer when it comes to getting more chia seeds is to sip on some chia seed water throughout the day. Simply soak a couple of teaspoons in 1-2 liters of water for around 20 minutes, and that’s it- your water is ready. To take it up a notch, you can also squeeze some lemon juice into it.
Have you given chia seeds a try yet? What is your favorite way to add them to your meals?
Be sure to check out my 50 Best Chia Seed Recipes!
