By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk
Chia seeds were first used as a food by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas. The people of these ancient civilisations got all the nutrients they needed from chia, beans, quinoa and corn, and it's believed that their diet was superior to most diets today. Forgotten for centuries, chia seeds have now been rediscovered as a new superfood.
- It can be added to food dry or soaked.
- Chia seeds absorb nine times their weight in water - soak the seeds to make a gel that one can substitute for oil or other fats in a variety of recipes.
- Chia seeds do not change the taste of foods that they are added to which makes them ideal to add to breakfast foods, smoothies, salads etc.
- One tablespoon per day is enough to give you more energy and helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Enjoy your Chia seeds! ♥
Chia pets via Craig Stellpflug: For fun and for food! Chia seeds come from the chia plant, also known as salvia hispanica. But throw that funky planter away and eat the seeds because chia seeds have the highest omega-3 content of any plant (almost 5 grams in 1 ounce.) One ounce of dried chia plants has 11 grams fiber, 4 gram protein and 179 milligram calcium. The plant also has more antioxidant levels than flaxseed. With that 11 grams of fiber per ounce your bowels will be happy. Happy bowels = happier you!
