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.

What Kind of Plants are Chia Pets?

For years you have seen them growing in that goofy Chia Pet on the counter, but you probably never considered eating a chia seed.

Well, you should think about it because they may just be the next “super food” – packed with omega 3, antioxidants, fiber calcium and protein.

Chia seeds come from Salvia hispanica, a desert herb that is a member of the mint family. It grows predominantly in southern Mexico, where it used to be grown in abundance and is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

Chia Seeds are Healthier than Flax Seeds

Comparable to but healthier than flax seeds, chia seeds have been around since ancient times. The Aztec Indians made them a major part of their diets and revered them so much that they were used in sacred ceremonies.

The seeds are so packed with nutrition that Aztec warriors would survive on just a handful per day while they were traveling. They are richer than flax seeds in omega three fatty acids which help brain function as well as growth. Another benefit is that they do not go bad, so they can be stored longer than flax seed. This makes it easier to buy in bulk and save money.

Chia Seeds are Easy to Digest

Chia seeds do not have to be ground up like flax seeds to get full health benefits because they are easier to digest. So they are much easier to add to a diet. Just sprinkle into yogurt or cereal or bake into pancakes or muffins. Their slightly nutty flavor is mild enough that you won’t even notice them added to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or sprinkled on a salad.

In addition to their super nutritional value, chia seeds are hydrophilic, which means they absorb water. In fact, they can absorb twelve times their weight in water, forming a gelatin-like substance.

The result of this is when eaten with other foods the chia seeds form a physical barrier between the carbohydrates in foods and digestive enzymes. This slows the body’s process of changing carbs into sugars. So instead of riding a rollercoaster of sugar spiking and then crashing, the body more slowly and evenly uses the sugar for lasting energy. This makes it great for diabetics or anyone who likes cake.

No wonder those Aztec warriors running through the jungles were such big fans. I may have to try some sprinkled on my ice cream or baked into my next pan of grain free, gluten free brownies!

Chia seed is considered to be a Dietetic Nutritional Supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, it complies with the severe criteria of nutrients content established by this organization to be regarded as “healthy food.” Chia seeds are definately a great addition to both the grain free and gluten free diet! How To Use Chia Seeds

When you first see quinoa or hear about it you may think that it is actually a “grain”. Some people may even refer to it as such, but rest assured it is not a grain. It is actually a plant seed and a relative of green leafy vegetables such as spinach.

Quinoa, in the standard, raw form is gluten-free. Gluten is a protein that is found in grain products such as wheat, barley and oats. There may, however, be some risks to gluten exposure with certain quinoa products such as flour and flakes. These products go through processing plants that may use machines for wheat products and quinoa product thus causing cross contamination.

If you do not have a severe allergy to grains you may find these products do not cause any reaction. If your allergy is more serious you will want to make sure that you are getting these products from factories that do not use the same machines to produce quinoa products and grain products.

How To Prepare Quinoa

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Preparing Quinoa

Before cooking this high protein seed, it is important rinse it well. This removes the bitter resin-like coating, called saponin. Store-bought quinoa has been rinsed before packaging; however, it is still a good idea to go through this step just to make sure no saponin or residue lingers. It is obvious when saponin is present, as soapy looking “suds” will appear in the water when rinsing.

Simply place quinoa in a strainer and rinse thoroughly with water, while rubbing hands through the seeds. The saponin easily washes away from the seeds and down the drain. To ensure the seeds are properly rinsed and ready for cooking, taste one or two after rinsing. Also be sure to remove any black grains, as these will not get tender.

Most Used Cooking Technique

There is more than one way to cook with quinoa, but hot liquid cooking is the most widely used technique. When cooked in water, quinoa seeds swell to three or four times the uncooked seed size. Cooked seeds become tender and feature an al dente texture. Some like to toast the seeds before water cooking to enhance a pleasantly nutty, roasted flavor.

If uncooked seeds are used in a recipe, expect a bit of a crunchy texture and a flavor that can often surprise you, as there isn’t much of a way to gauge this without cooking. Flavor can range from mild to slightly bitter. A helpful tip for cooking quinoa: One cup of dry quinoa will make 2-3 cups cooked.

Both the flavor and the texture of the protein rich seed compliment many dishes quite well. The taste is never too bold and therefore compliments a variety of dishes, from rice and beans to stews. Even sweet desserts, breads and cereals made with fruit juice or fresh and dried fruit, syrup and sweet spices can handle the nutty flavor that comes with the quinoa seed.

Recipes using quinoa can make up an entire meal!