ch-ch-ch-chia

Chia seeds. 
As of late, they are taking over the health food aisle: chia flour, chia bars, chia drinks! 
[What ever happened to the chia pet?]
Some serious claims have been made in terms of the health benefits packed into these tiny little seeds and unwilling to believe what everyone tells me to be true, I did some research for myself. 
Are chia seeds really that amazing?
In 2 tbsp of chia seeds you will find: 
139 calories
4 grams of protein
9 grams of fat - omega 3's
12 grams of carbohydrates
11 grams of fiber
vitamins + minerals
 
What sets this ancient grain apart is its convenience. Remember flax seed? Lots of health benefits, similar to the chia seed, but in order to attain these sought after benefits you had to grind down the seeds first. Once ground, flax will go rancid so it required attention and fridge space. Chia seeds on the other hand are able to added into almost anything in their natural form because our bodies are able to digest the entire seed. But should chia seeds be seen as a daily part of our diet?
Only two studies have looked at the chia seeds and its affect on health and weight loss, but the studies have not been thorough enough to really provide any confidence to me as a nutritionist.
 So, in my professional opinion, due to the fact there is little evidence of harm from ingesting chia seeds, I think they would be a fine addition to any diet. My only advice would be to not include them in everything, being that they do contain a large amount of fiber. 
*Remember, fiber intake should always be increased slowly + drink lots of water*

The takeaway message: chia seeds aren't going to be the key to your weight loss success, but they will provide healthy fats and fiber into your diet. 
Chia seeds can be added in yogurt or cereal, taken with water,  added into baked goods, included in salad dressing, or ground down to a flour. 
 
read more here:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/291334.php

Comments

Popular Posts