Chia Seeds – How good are they for you?

I’m sure you have all heard the word “Superfood” but do you really know what it is.   A lot of articles have been written on how ‘superfoods’ can prevent heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, and more. So when I read of the benefits of introducing superfoods into my daily lifestyle, I had to check them out.

Imagine a superfood — not a drug — powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood with no side effects.  Over the last 2 years I have introduced a number of superfoods into my diet but the one that I get the biggest return is the smallest one – the chia seed.  If I was honest I didn’t know what a chia seed was until I read and understood its benefits so today I am going to share them with you.

Chia Seeds are becoming one of the most popular superfoods — for many good reasons. If you have never tried them then keep reading.  They are virtually tasteless, easy-to-digest (when prepared properly), super nutrient dense, and full of energy-boosting power. The latest research has linked chia seeds to reversing type 2 diabetes! That’s right, reversing it! My dad had Diabetes from the age of 30 and it really is a cruel disease. This was one of the main reasons I started eating Chia Seeds and my main reason for continuing to eat them in the hope that I never get diabetes.

So a little bit about Chia Seeds. They originated from Mexico  and were so highly valued for their medicinal properties and nutritional value, that they were even used as money.  Crazy but true.   Chia means  “strength” in the Mayan language and has been known as  “runners’ food” because runners used chia seeds as fuel to run long distances. Wish I knew this when I ran the Dublin City Marathon 😄.

Chia seeds are good because they have

1. SUPER ANTIOXIDANTS

2. PLANT-BASED OMEGA 3

3. PLANT-BASED PROTEIN

4. FIBER

You can pick them up in any grocery shop but once you open them put them in a sealed glass jar.  I sprinkle Chia Seeds over my porridge,  over salads, into yogurts and often make a chia seed pudding and leave in the fridge over night.  Great to have a quick grab and go breakfast in the morning and no excuses.

Link to my Chia Seed Pudding from my previous blog click HERE and link to my Chia Seed Protein Balls is HERE.

If you introduce them into your daily diet you will benefit greatly without noticing. So give them a try and let me know what you think.  More to follow on my other favourite superfoods later on.

Thanks for reading

E