How to Use Chia Seeds

Chia Seeds are tiny black and white seeds that used to be a staple food in Aztec and Mayan times. They are now experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to their wonderful health benefits.

Chia Seeds As Superfood

Chia seeds are indeed a superfood. They have

• 2x the amount of protein of any grains
• 3x the amount of antioxidants of blueberries
• 5x more calcium than milk
• 2x the amount of potassium in a banana
• 3x the iron of spinach

Chia seeds are also loaded with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and have trace amounts of boron, which is an essential mineral to help transfer calcium to the bones.

How To Add Chia Seeds To Your Grain Free Diet

Knowing all the wonderful nutrients chia seeds provide is important, but many people are more concerned with how to incorporate them into their gluten free or grain free diet. It is far simpler than most people realize. Chia seeds have a very subtle taste which means that you can add them absolutely anything that you eat or drink. They will enhance the nutrients, but they will not alter the flavor.

Drink Your Chia Seeds

You can add chia seeds to a glass or bottle of water and drink them. As a matter of fact you can add them to any beverage you choose: coffee, ice tea, orange juice… anything. If you are adding them to a liquid it is best to add them to the drink, stir them up and let them sit just for a minute or two so that the seeds have the opportunity to soak in the liquid.

You can let them sit for longer. If you do they will turn into chia gel which you can eat by the spoonful. The gel will still taste like the drink you put them in and you can seal it in a container and store it in the refrigerator to eat at a later time.

Sprinkle Your Chia Seeds

If you are having a salad you can sprinkle them on top. They can be added to yogurt as well. You can sprinkle them on fish, on steak, in veggies, soup, really anything you want. If you eat it or drink it you can add chia seeds to it.

Soak Your Chia Seeds

One of the most common ways to eat chia seeds is to soak them. They absorb large amounts of liquid very quickly, usually within 10 minutes. You can make basic chia gel by adding 1/3 cup of seeds to 2 cups of water. Stir well so that there are no clumps and then leave it in a jar with a lid and eat a spoonful whenever you want.

Chia seeds are definitely a great addition to your gluten free and grain free diet. With a few spoonfuls a day added to the foods you are already eating, you will soon start to notice the great health benefits chia seeds have to offer.