Chia seeds are tiny black seeds derived from a native American flowering plant called the Salvia hispanica. They’re favoured for their nutty, slightly earthy flavour, which makes them great for adding to a number of sweet and savoury dishes. The reason why chia seeds are so popular today, however, is more down to their endless health properties than their taste.
Chia seeds are full of important nutrients and are thought to reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, aid in digestion, promote healthy hair and skin, treat joint pain, and remove toxins from the body, to name just a few of their benefits. Chia seeds have also proved incredibly promising in promoting weight loss.The main reason why chia seeds can assist in weight loss is that while a small serving of them is relatively low in calories, they’re high in fibre and protein, which can help you keep you fuller for longer. This means that when you start your day with chia seeds, you’re less likely to hit a mid-morning energy slump and reach for the first high-sugar snack you come across. Simply put, chia seeds can help you to lose weight by enabling you to eat less food.
There are many ways to include chia seeds in your diet for their weight loss benefits. Keep in mind that you don’t want to overdo it – just a sprinkle of the seeds is enough to have a positive effect on your body. You could add chia seeds to your daily diet by:
They’ll add a nice crunch to your meal and complement the flavour of the foods in your bowl. Thanks to their healthy fats and fibre content, they’ll help keep your energy levels sky-high well into the early afternoon.
This is an option if you’re not a fan of the texture or taste of the seeds, as they’ll virtually be eliminated in the blender. Since the seeds will absorb some of the liquid from the other ingredients, like water and milk, they can help your smoothie keep you fuller for longer.
Chia seeds make a far better topping than croutons as they deliver the crunch you crave without excess calories, saturated fat, and chemicals. You can also whip up a salad dressing featuring chia seeds. Simply add the seeds to your go-to dressing recipe and let it soak for ten minutes before squeezing onto your salad.
If you're looking for something with a more interesting flavour, create a concoction called chia fresca by combining one cup of water with one tablespoon of chia seeds, two tablespoons of fresh lemon or lime juice, and two teaspoons of honey. Let the seeds soak overnight and drink the next morning.
There’s no reason to cut out all the sweet stuff when trying to lose weight, and protein balls containing seeds, raw oats, nut butter, dark chocolate, and fruit are a great healthier snack alternative. Mix a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds into your recipe to give a satisfying crunch without affecting flavour.
Making chia seed peanut butter by adding a few spoonfuls of the seeds into your shop-bought or homemade nut butter.
Chia seeds are incredibly nutritious and beneficial to eat, but ingesting too many of them can cause some pretty unpleasant side effects in the digestive system. Because chia seeds are an incredible source of fibre, offering 11 grams of fibre in each 28-gram serving, it’s easy to overdo it on the fibre intake by eating just a tablespoon too many chia seeds.
Too much fibre can cause a number of issues, including bloating, stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. This is more likely to occur if you’re also dehydrated, as fibre relies on good water intake to pass quickly through the digestive system.
Another smaller risk of chia seeds is their potential to cause choking. This is because when the seeds mix with water, they swell up, absorbing about ten to twelve times their weight in liquid. Always be careful to consume chia seeds carefully, to prevent them from swelling up and lodging in your throat.
Chia seeds have switched from trendy to mainstream, and when you look at their endless health benefits, it’s unsurprising that so many of us have jumped on the chia seed bandwagon. You can purchase chia seeds from your local supermarket or health store, or buy them in bulk online. They’re incredibly easy to add to your diet, and if you use them sensibly, there’s evidence to suggest that they can assist in weight loss.
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