How to use chia seeds in your life?

How to Eat Chia Seeds

There are many versatile and healthy ways to enjoy chia seeds. To take advantage of these healthy seeds, you can sprinkle them over your cereal or yogurt for an added crunch. They can also be ground up in a blender and added to baked goods like cookies.

For a vanilla pudding substitute, you can add in a drop of vanilla! Another option is to soak ¼-cup whole chia seeds in 1-cup of liquid, such as nut milk or dairy milk. The chia seeds and liquid will turn into a gel-like mixture that’s similar to pudding.

Chia seeds may be tiny, but they pack a huge nutritional punch that features an array of super nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, heart-healthy fiber, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, chia seeds can be sprinkled on cereal and salads for a satisfying crunch or blended with liquid, in which they bind to fill you up and prevent between-meal cravings.

Here are six versatile and surprising ways to enjoy chia seeds…

 1.Salad Topper

As mentioned, chia seeds can be absorbed in liquid for a pudding-like texture or sprinkled atop dishes to lend a satisfying crunch to cereal, fruit salad, yogurt, and fresh veggie salads.

A mere 1-teaspoon of chia seeds weighs in at under 60-calories, plus 3-grams of protein and 5-grams of fiber. The key to the crunch is to sprinkle on your chia seeds right before mowing down, so the seeds don’t absorb liquid and become rubbery and gelatinous in texture.

2.Meaty Breading

There’s nothing like the hearty crunch of a piece of fish or a chicken finger. Well, even if you opt for a gluten-free lifestyle, you can enjoy meat in a delicious savory breading made with chia seeds.

Chia seeds can be used to coat fish filets, chicken strips, chicken wings, and even veggies (i.e., peppers or cauliflower florets). Combine 1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds with a few tablespoons of low-fat mayo (or egg white), 3/4-cup of cornmeal, and season with garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.

 3.Chia Seed Pudding

Believe it or not, tiny chia seeds have super absorbent powers. That means if you soak them overnight (or even for a few hours) in healthy liquid (i.e., cow’s milk, almond milk, yogurt), they will swell up and give your dish a tapioca-like texture.

To ensure your chia pudding isn’t jam-packed with refined sugars and empty calories, use a natural sweetener (i.e., honey, carob, vanilla, or real maple syrup), sprinkle with fresh berries and raw nuts, and let the chia seeds work their absorbent magic for a pudding that’s rich in protein and fiber.

 4.Jam with Chia

We’ve already mentioned that super chia has the power of binding liquids and other ingredients together in a pudding-like consistency. If you’re seeking a healthier jam, chia may be your key ingredient.

Thanks to chia seeds, you can mix your favorite fresh or frozen fruits (blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apricot) with a bit of sweetener, and they’ll bind away…no need for pectin! Just sprinkle chia seeds into the saucepan with your cooked fruit and sweetener until the mixture naturally thickens into a jam.

5.Sub for Other Seeds in Baking

If you don’t have any flax seeds, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds handy for your favorite cookie, granola, or muffin recipe, try swapping seeds for chia!

Chia seeds not only pack a nutritional punch with omega 3’s, protein, and fiber, these tiny black seeds are also extremely versatile, meaning they blend seamlessly and take on the flavors of baked goods while adding a super satisfying crunch!

 6.Chia Smoothie

Sometimes, no matter how big, a smoothie doesn’t quite quench a hearty appetite in the mornings. I know my green smoothies made with a banana, a handful of spinach, Greek yogurt (or almond milk), and fresh pineapple often don’t keep my tummy satisfied until lunch.

Try adding a teaspoon of chia seeds (remember, less is more), and let the chia absorb the liquids in your smoothie, and turn it into a hearty breakfast. Opt for a touch of honey or maple syrup or a splash of 100-percent orange juice for natural sweeteners.