Chia Seeds

CHIA SEEDS AREN'T just for growing green "hair" on Chia Pets, friends and neighbors! They also happen to be a wonderful addition to your appetite-suppression arsenal.

These tiny, crunchy, edible seeds called chia come from a desert plant (Salvia hispanica)—a member of the mint family—that grows abundantly in southern Mexico but is also now being grown elsewhere as its amazing nutritional properties are becoming better known. 

Chia seeds were a main component of both Mayan and Aztec diets and served as the basic survival food of Aztec warriors. It’s been said that a single tablespoon of the seeds could sustain a warrior for 24 hours.  

A true superfood, chia seeds are giving another superfood—flax seeds—some major competition. So look lively, flax—there’s a new seed in town! 

Consider the great benefits of chia seeds: 

·      Research shows that chia has the highest percentage of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (60 percent) of any commercial crop.  

·      Chia also contains a higher level of protein than any other nutritional grain—up to 23 percent, by weight. And it is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all essential amino acids.  

·      High in fiber, chia can quickly help in reaching the 35 grams of fiber the body needs each day.  

·      Chia seeds contain almost five times the calcium found in milk, twice the potassium in bananas, and three times the antioxidants found in blueberries.  

Chia has more omega-3 fatty acids (the very best kind for weight loss) than flax seeds. It’s also so rich in antioxidants that it doesn’t spoil and can be stored for long periods without going rancid. Also, chia seeds don’t have to be ground to make their nutrients available. The seeds are available in both a dark and a light variety.  

But when it comes to managing appetite, chia seeds—which have a mild, nutty flavor—are true superstars. The reason? When added to water, within minutes chia forms a gel. In the stomach, this gel slows the body’s process of converting carbs to sugar. Because of the way they form a gel, the seeds also produce a feeling of fullness in the stomach, so those who eat the seeds soon feel less hungry.  

Chia seeds can be sprinkled on cereal, yogurt, or salads and can be added to the ingredients for baked goods. One of the best ways to use them for appetite control is to include them in smoothies or as an ingredient in blended protein drinks.  

Like glucomannan (see menu item to the left), chia seeds absorb large quantities of water to form a gel in the stomach. This satisfying feeling of fullness helps control the “hungries,” which then leads to improved success at weight loss.  

If you haven’t yet tried chia seeds, you are almost sure to be surprised and gratified by how much they can help you manage appetite and help in losing weight. And like all the other suppressants on this site, this one too is all natural—no stimulants, no pharmaceuticals, just solid help from Ma Nature!

 TRY A TWO-POUND BAG—YOU'LL BE AMAZED!

(And take a look too at a good book about Chia)