Chia Seeds – Delicious Ways to Use Them

Chia seeds seem to be the new trend when it comes to a healthy lifestyle and diet. Most probably, you have come across numerous articles or tips that recommended them. But are they so beneficial as media presents them?

Chia seeds have a large number of proven health benefits, such as improving digestion, reducing the risk of several chronic diseases, promoting weight loss, or boosting the energy level. In fact, these small seeds are loaded with a broad range of nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants. No wonder why they are very popular among athletes or people who practice a sport.

But they have been widely appreciated even from ancient times. For instance, Maya people, as well as Inca people, used to consider chia seeds more valuable than gold. They used them for their energizing effect, and to get more physical strength. In fact, chia means “strength” in Maya language.

But how can you include these tiny, but very effective seeds in your diet? This is very simple, as no matter how you prepare them, most probably you don’t even have to cook them. Puddings are an excellent choice when it comes to chia seeds, and you can get that thick and gelatinous texture without any boiling or cooking, thanks to these seeds. Here are our suggestions.

Chia Seeds Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of chia seeds
• Two tablespoons of honey
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• ½ tablespoon of vanilla extract
• ¼ tablespoon of Himalayan salt (you can use sea salt as well)

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.

Then, place the recipient into the refrigerator and let it there for at least 30 minutes. You can even let it overnight. This way, the seeds will absorb the moisture, and the mixture becomes gelatinous, similar to a pudding.

For a special flavor or to sweeten it, add a little cinnamon or stevia to the mixture.

Chia Seeds and Fruits Pudding

Ingredients:

• 125 ml of fresh fruit juice
• 50 gr of chia seeds

You can use any fruit juice you prefer, but it has to be homemade.

If you don’t own a juice maker, you can use your blender for this. If you do this, you actually benefit from more dietary fiber, which is great for the digestive tract and will improve the functions of your natural detoxifying system. But you also need to add a bit of water. Otherwise, when chia seeds absorb the moisture, your pudding will have a texture that is a little too dry.

Mix the juice with the chia seeds in a cup or a bowl, and then place the recipient in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, you will have a delicious and healthy fruit pudding.

A Word of Caution

Even though Chia seeds can be consumed dried, it is recommended not to do this, especially if you suffer or had ever suffered from dysphagia. When in contact with water, these seeds absorb up to 27 times their weight in liquid, forming a gel-like capsule. This can block your esophagus partially, leading to breathing problems that necessitate medical assistance.