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.
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Chia seeds are the best! I’ve been using them since I found out I have diabetes, my blood sugar is well under control, no blood pressure problems and in 3 months I’ve lost 17 pounds. They really keep you feeling full longer so you don’t eat as often and since they swell they make you feel full sooner.
Nature’s magic bullet!
Beth
I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.
Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n bout this issue,so thanks for posting
How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.
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I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.
Chia seeds are one of the best foods for all round health and energy. I wish I would have know about them 10 years ago.
I recommend them to all my clients and readers now.
Love your site by the way. Grain free recipes are a good thing. Will be having a look at a bunch of your recipes and such
Just had a look at your Alternative Flours and would also like to add to it Coconut flour. I just did up a coconut flour bread and it was awesome. Totally grain free. High fiber and high protein.