Guest Post by Madeline Glasser
Chia seeds have been around for quite some time, but recently have become all the rage in the healthy living community. Bursting with nutritional benefits, chia seeds are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and fiber. In fact, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds amounts to 20% of the recommended daily fiber intake!
Only recently did I start incorporating this super food into my diet. I am thrilled I did because chia seeds are so versatile and can be a part of almost every dish. Chia seeds have a relatively neutral, slightly nutty taste and can easily complement the flavor of your favorite dishes. I found a major turn off is when mixed with water the seeds take on a gel-like consistency. I have major texture issues so chia seeds in that form just doesn’t work for me. However, there are ways to “sneak” chia seeds into your diet without dramatically altering a dish and steering clear of the gel form. My husband is a health food skeptic so I have to get creative and find ways to get chia seeds into our meals inconspicuously.
Use these methods to bring chia seed to the table for the pickiest of eaters and the most difficult of kids!
Put them in oatmeal. My go to oatmeal mix is: ½ cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 teaspoon flax, 1 teaspoon chia seeds mixed with ¾ cup water topped with some fruit or a couple of chocolate chips.
Blend them in smoothies. Try a green monster: 2 handfuls spinach, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 frozen banana, ½ cup milk and ice blended to desired consistency.
Bake them in muffins or any baked good. I make banana protein muffins for the hubs to eat during the week and the chia seeds blend right in.
Cook them in pancakes! I mix them in my pancake batter for a more decadent breakfast.
Sprinkle them in your granola. I eat granola on my Greek yogurt every day and the chia seeds mix well into the granola.
There you have it! 5 simple ways to incorporate some chia in your life!
Read more from Madeline at Food Fitness and Family.
Have you tried chia seeds? Tell us what you think!
Feature photo courtesy of graibeard via Flickr (CC BY-SA 3.0)
All other photos courtesy of Madeline Glasser from Food Fitness and Family!
Yes, I too have just started playing with the Chia! I brew my own kombucha, so I’ve started to put them in there…if you don’t like the gel consistency though the little “mini-boba” wouldn’t work for ya!
I love chia seeds in every way!! Especially in these forms you posted about. 🙂 The only thing I’m not fond of? When they get gel-like and stuck in my front teeth!!! haha.
Talk about a great way to get some extra nutrition into your diet! Good tips!
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