Chia Seeds Are Like Magic!

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain. Chia seeds aren’t just for those following plant based diet, but anyone who wants to boost their intake of nutrients.

Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia (/ˈtʃiːə/), is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The 16th-century Codex Mendoza provides evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times; economic historians have suggested it was as important as maize as a food crop. Ground or whole chia seeds are still used in Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala for nutritious drinks and as a food source.

Chia seeds are rich in nutrients and fiber.

Despite their small size, chia seeds are full of important nutrients.

They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, and they provide fiber, iron, and calcium.

Omega-3 fatty acids help raise HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke.

Remember the chia pets that were popular in the 1990s? Chia seeds are the same small seeds you used to grow an Afro in your Homer Simpson terracotta vase.

Here are some key points about chia seeds. 

Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, iron, and calcium.
A 28-gram, or 1-ounce, serving of chia seeds also contains 5.6 grams of protein.
Mixed with water, they can replace egg in vegan cooking.
Chia seeds can be eaten cooked or raw, but they should be added to another food or soaked before eating.

Nutritional content

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, a 28-gram, or one-ounce serving of chia seeds contains:

131 calories
8.4 grams of fat
13.07 grams of carbohydrate
11.2 grams of fiber
5.6 grams of protein
No sugar
Eating once ounce of chia seeds each day would provide 18 percent of daily calcium needs, 27 percent of phosphorus, 30 percent of manganese, and smaller amounts of potassium and copper.

Chia seeds provide more omega-3s, calcium, phosphorus, and fiber than flaxseeds. Most people do not consume enough of these essential nutrients.