Want a powerful, natural food that will not only help you lose weight but will also boost your immune system as well as make you happier? Check out today’s guest post by cookbook author, Bindu Grandhi, to find out how you can thrive during a dreary winter!
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! This catchy tune from the commercials for Chia Pets, the pottery that grows, is probably what pops into the minds of most people when someone mentions chia seeds. I know I’ve always thought these seeds were meant for arts and crafts, not consumption!
Nowadays, chia seeds are recognized as a superfood thanks to their energy-boosting, mood-improving and appetite-suppressing benefits. Believe it or not, chia seeds have been around for thousands of years, the Aztec warriors ate them for energy and to reduce inflammation.
The tiny Chia seed truly packs a powerful nutritional punch – rich in omega-3s, high in fiber and calcium, and loads of antioxidants that provide cancer-fighting protection. Studies have shown that it can reduce heart disease, arrhythmia, blood pressure; risk of heart attack, cancer and Alzheimer’s; improve brain function and lower cholesterol.
They also have a slimming effect due to their ridiculously high amount of omega-3s, insoluble fiber and protein.
Incorporating chia seeds into your diet is so easy, you can just scoop them into anything – pancakes, cookies, muffins, salads, yogurt, cereal, cake, milkshakes, smoothies, juice, and the list is endless. Just a spoonful (a tablespoon) is all you need.
When mixing chia seeds in liquids, remember to consume right away as the mixture will become gelatinous. In fact, chefs and cooks use chia seeds to add viscosity and density to dishes because when you add liquid to chia seeds, they swell to nearly 10 times their size which makes it a great natural thickener. Use whole seeds for salads and cereals, while ground seeds are good for smoothies and milkshakes.
With the winter in full swing, you might be feeling a little run down with the reduced daylight hours. So go buy a bag of Chia seeds which are available in grocery stores, Whole Foods and other health food markets. Toss them in your drink or sprinkle on your meal and you’ll feel recharged in no time!
About the Author
Author of Spice Up Your Life, Bindu Grandhi is passionate about healthy and flavourful cooking, especially when it’s flexitarian. She shares her health knowledge with the world by providing practical, healthy and tasty recipes as The Flex Cook.
Wow, chia packs a wallop of health in such a little seed! Do you have a chia seed recipe to share with us?
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