….chia seeds

Chia seeds – “tiny black seed with plenty of firing power”

Lets face it – even if you love bacon and eggs after a while its just gets to much. Breakfast (….Breakfast) needs to be something you look forward to in the mornings. So imagine my delight when I discovered the magic of chia seeds. Chia seeds are relatively easy to find in any major grocery store. They are black in color and they have a mild, nutty flavor.

Chia seeds are not only a great alternative for breakfast, but so versatile you can use them as a dessert, thickener in sauces, egg substitute in baked goods and even in your low carb seed crackers. But, what is the fuss about – are they truly a “superfood” as some like to say?

Lets look at the nutritional break down of chia seeds (chai nutrition)

A single serving of chia seeds (about 28 g) contains:

• Fibre (11g)
• Fat (9g)
• Protein (4g)
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B2

Chia seeds  is not just a new ingredient, but have a fascinating and long history of use by several cultures. It is said that the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans used chia as a staple of their diet and as an energy food. Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and they were known as the “Indian Running Food” because runners and warriors would use them for sustenance while running long distances or during battle.

15 ways to eat chia seeds is a great compilation of different ways to include chia seeds in your meals (DISCLAIMER – not all the ideas are low carb friendly, always check ingredients).

Overall, I think chia seeds are a great addition to your pantry and with a variety of uses and health benefits, you cannot go wrong with including them in your meals.