Healing Foods

Chia Seeds

Word is spreading of chia seeds' rich supply of heart-healthful omega-3s
chia seeds

Popular as a novelty product to the tune of Ch-ch-ch-chia!, the seeds of the Salvia hispanica plant are also becoming known as a functional food. Chia seeds are full of inflammation-fighting antioxidants and heart-healthful omega-3 fats and fiber. Factor in the bone-building trio of calcium (about six times the amount in milk), magnesium, and phosphorus, and you’ve got an amazing seed worth singing about.

Choose It & Use It
Refrigerate chia seeds to keep them fresh, and eat 1 to 2 tablespoons daily: mix into yogurt, salads, smoothies, or veggie burger patties; or substitute chia powder for one-quarter of the flour called for in a muffin recipe.

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Raw Chocolate-Chia Energy Bars

Whole chia seeds add nutritional punch and crunch to these chocolate treats.

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Overnight Chai Steel-Cut Oats

Ayurvedic lifestyle counselor Aisha Bahrami created this delicious no-cook oatmeal by accident: “I put all my ingredients into a pot for breakfast, got a phone call, and totally forgot about it,” she says.

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comments

You should warn your readers that chia seeds lower your blood pressure, and should not be eaten if you already have low blood pressure. I am a distance runner and normally have very low blood pressure. I started adding about 1/2 Tbs. of chia seeds to my smoothie every day, and I passed out twice before I realized it was from the chia seeds.

Laurie - 2013-02-17 01:56:57

I add a tablespoon or so of chia seeds to my whole-wheat pizza dough, makes it most superior! I use a bread machine for making my dough.

parrotheadtink - 2013-01-09 16:39:15