Check out the amazing health benefits of chia seeds and all the creative ways you can add chia seeds to your diet.
Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
1. Chia seeds are a great source of protein, which makes them an excellent food choice for vegans and vegetarians.
2. They are rich in calcium and omega-3 fatty acids, which boost heart health, fight depression and lower cholesterol.
3. When mixed with water or other liquids, they expand and form a gel which can make you feel full for longer, aiding in weight loss.
Ways to Add Chia Seeds to Your Diet
1. Sprinkle or Mix
One of the best ways to add chia seeds to food is to sprinkle them over food or mix them into other healthy foods. You can sprinkle them over yogurt or a salad, stir them into cottage cheese or mix them with a delicious spread and have them on toast.
2. Mix & Bake
Another great way to add chia seeds to food is to mix them into baked goods. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of chia seeds to whole-grain bread, whole-grain crackers, muffins, pancakes or cake batters for extra health benefits.
3. Grind
Alernatively, you can grind chia seeds into flour, using a blender or coffee grinder. You can use chia seed flour as such or mix it with gluten-free flour.
4. Egg Replacer
A vegan-friendly way to add chia seeds to food: Use them as an “egg replacer” in vegan baked treats. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground chia seeds and 3 tablespoons of water. This provides the equivalent of one whole egg.
5. To Thicken Soup or Gravies
Looking for other ways to add chia seeds to food? They’re a healthier, gluten-free alternative to cornstarch, when you need to thicken a soup or gravy. Add 1-2 tablespoons at a time to reach the desired thickness.
6. Breadcrumbs
Yet another good way to add chia seeds to food is to use them as a gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs when baking fish or chicken. You can use it by itself or, for a richer flavor, mix it with almond flour and garlic powder.
7. Chiller
A lovely way to add chia seeds to your diet is to mix chia gel into a delicious chiller. Mix 2 cups of chia gel with 1 cup fruit juice and 1 cup fruit pulp, mix well and freeze for an hour. When serving, sprinkle cinammon and candied raisins on top.
8. Add to Smoothie
Adding 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to a smoothie will make it more nutrititious and keep you full for a long time, which is great if you’re trying to lose weight.
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