Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have hit the big time in recent years as one of the new “super foods”.  It turns out that they are one of the few foods that actually deserve the title!

What are Chia seeds?  Chia seeds are  the seed of the native South American plant Salvina hispanicaand yes it is the same seed that you made a paste with and spread on various clay pets and busts in the 80s and 90s (Ch-Ch-Chia anyone?).  The seeds come in black, white or cream and there is no nutritional difference between the colours.

What is with the Weight loss claims? Chia expands up to 8 times its size once it gets wet and is a decent source of both health fats and protein.  This combination means that Chia helps to moderate your food intake both by providing satiety (physical feeling of fullness) and satiation (the more complex play of brain chemicals and emotional satisfaction!).  Both are key to moderating your food intake!

Packed with Nutrients  In two tablespoons of Chia you get:

• Fiber: 11 grams.
• Protein: 4 grams.
• Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
• Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
• Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
• Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.

More Omega-3 than Salmon?  Its true that gram for gram Chia has more Omega 3 (AKA health fats) than salmon. A healthy diet will be high in whole foods that are good sources of fats such as seeds, nuts, olives, avocados and some animal sources as well!

Ch-ch-ch-chia