Yesterday I dove into a chia pudding that I'd made and put aside for myself in the fridge for that time of the day when I needed a pick me up. I sometimes forget that these little seeds that we used to know only from the long forgotten Chia Pets are packed with nutrition and should be considered a super food.
The Chia Seed is a dieter’s dream come true. The tiny, healthy seeds can be made to taste like whatever you want, and their unique gelling action keeps you feeling full for hours. When a chia seed is exposed to water, it forms a coating of gel, increasing its size and weight. Since the gel is made of water, it has no calories. It’s also difficult to remove from the seed, meaning that it helps your body think it is full, without adding calories!
Both the gelling action of the seed, and it’s unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combine to slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars. If you eat chia with a meal, it will help you turn your food into constant, steady energy rather than a series of ups and downs that wear you out.
By the way NEVER eat chia seeds alone like other seeds without consuming a lot of water because that same gelling action will happen within gut and bind up your intestinal tract.
Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.
Another advantage: when added to water and allowed to sit for 30 minutes, chia forms a gel. Researchers suggest that this reaction also takes place in the stomach, slowing the process by which digestive enzymes break down carbohydrates and convert them into sugar.
Chia has a nutlike flavor. You can mix seeds in water and add lime or lemon juice and sugar to make a drink known in Mexico and Central America as "chia fresca." As with ground flax seeds, you can sprinkle ground or whole chia seeds on cereal, in or salads, eat them as a snack.
Now to get back to the book. The author was handed this drink that the Tarahumara consume when need lots of energy to travel long distances. The author was reluctant because he saw this slimy concoction with black seeds. It turned out to be chia seeds soaked in water,sugar and lime "Chia Fresca".
Anyway there are many was to add chia seeds to your diet. I generally add 1/4 cup of chia seeds to 1 cup of raw almond milk, add cinammon, nutmeg and agave for a type of tapioca/rice pudding. I discovered another recipe yesterday from Rawmazing, for Orange Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding.
The ingredients are simple,the recipe quick and the nutrition priceless!
Orange Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding
* 1/4 cup almonds, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
* 1 cup water
* 3 dates, softened with pits removed
* 3 oranges
* 1/3 cup chia seeds
* Granola for topping if desired (from Raw Transitions)
1. Place almonds and water in high-speed blender. Process until well blended.
2. Remove to nut milk bag and strain.
3. Place almond milk back in blender with dates. Blend until very smooth.
4. Remove the zest from one orange and add to the almond milk date mixture. Segment the insides of the orange and set aside.
5. Juice the two remaining oranges. Add juice (aproximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup) to the almond milk and zest. Stir.
6. Add chia seeds, stir. Let set for 20 minutes.
7. Stir in orange sections that you set aside.
No comments:
Post a Comment