Once upon a time , chia seeds were live to most people thanks to the superfluous – but fun ! Undeniably playfulness ! – ' eighty toy , the Chia Pet . Today , they ’re everywhere : in sweet talker , granola , yogurt , and your mama ’s locker because she read they ’re a unspoilt rootage of protein and meaning for empty - nesters . you may even make a pudding out of them , since they absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquidness when soaked . They ’re much witching .

OK , " magical " might be a stretch . But theyareconsidered a superfood , and it ’s thankfully much easy to play them into your diet than it is togrow them into chia - sprouted Donald Trump haircloth . Here ’s what you need to know about the cock-a-hoop power of these tiny seeds .

People have been eating them for thousands of years

Chia grows near the equator , in countries like Mexico , Bolivia , and Ecuador , says dietitianAmy Stephens . The Aztecs and Mayans were consume them long before health nuts started adding them to their fancy kombucha drinks .

So they ’re not a newfangled health food for thought – just a newfangled health trend . They grow from aflowering plant , and occur in black or ashen . Classic colors .

Chia gives you a good bang for your buck

Make no misapprehension , these tiny piddling seeds are n’t a replacement for eating a wide-ranging , goodly dieting . ( Moderation , people . Do n’t jump on some crazySilicon Valley Soylent train . ) But they do have a lot of powerful nutrients that tend to be establish in pricier token . For instance , 1tbsp of chia seeds has nearly 5 g of omega-3 fatty acids , which areusually retrieve in Salmon River and other fish . " Omega-3 fat acids are essential fats , meaning you have to get them from food , " says dietitianAlissa Rumsey . While they may seem alittle pricey at first glance , compare with what you ’ll pay for salmon – plus the fact that they amplify in water – they ’re a passably good omega-3 value , specially for vegetarians .

Speaking of vegetarians…

Chia is a great source of protein . Two tablespoons have 3 oz , or as much as an testicle . But chia seeds are n’t just a great substitute for herbivores – they ’re also commodious for people who avoid dairy . Those same 2tbsp contain 177 milligram of Ca ; one loving cup of Milk River has 300 .

They help keep you regular

With 5 gigabyte of fibre per tablespoonful , chia seeds offer a super - efficient elbow room to get things strike when you ’re backed up . If euphemism are n’t your bagful , how ’s this : Chia seedshelp you poop . But proceed with caution ! Do n’t overdo it : Stephens says wipe out too much of the stuff can actually have the polar outcome , leaving you bloated and backed up . One to two tablespoonful is plenty .

Adding them to your diet is super easy

It ’s easy enough to buy an expensive charmer or succus with chia blend in , but Stephens suggests near pre - made particular with caution . " quick - made chia food can have lots of added sugar , and more large calorie than you think , " she discourage . Instead , DIY is the way of life to go .

as luck would have it , making your own chia nutrient is as simple as simple gets . " Chia seeds have a neutral taste and texture , " allege Rumsey . " Their mild flavor wee-wee them very gentle to add to foods and beverages . " Breakfast is a good plaza to startle . scatter them into smoothie , yogurt , and oatmeal . They also supply a nice crush to savoury meal like bustle - fry and salad .

Or taste Stephens ' formula for chia come pudding : Combine 2tbsp of chia with 3/4 cups of almond milk . Put it in a plastered container and let it sit in the electric refrigerator for 40 bit , or overnight . The seed will puff up to a gel - similar texture . you may add together vanilla extract selection and maple syrup for sweetness , and top it with fruit .

chia seeds

Oren Aks/Thrillist

Everybody now … ch - ch - ch - CHIA !

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