| Whenever I see an interesting news article regarding | | | | bigger. |
| food and nutrition it perks my ears and the article I | | | | Chia seeds are also fantastic for diabetics because |
| read last week about Chia seeds really piqued my | | | | they slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into |
| interest. | | | | glucose because of the fiber and protein content. |
| "Ch-Ch-Chia". Come on, you know the words to the | | | | The Chia seeds are also loaded with calcium, B |
| song from those annoying Chia Pet commercials. So | | | | vitamins and other vitamins and minerals. |
| sing along. | | | | If you're a runner, you may want to give Chia seeds a |
| Those things were kind of weird if you ask me. | | | | try because they are known as the "Indian Running |
| Spread some green mushy seeds across a clay | | | | Food". Not very politically correct, I know, but that's |
| sculpture, water it and watch it sprout green "hair". | | | | beside the point. As I mentioned earlier, the ancient |
| They made a slight comeback in recent years with | | | | Aztecs would load up on Chia seeds before their |
| more creatures to spread the mush on, ranging from | | | | conquests and long marches. They found that the |
| animals to Disney's Shrek. | | | | seeds gave them more sustained energy. |
| But, did you know that Chia seeds are actually good | | | | I'm sure that you have probably heard of Flax seeds |
| for you? Who would've thought that a novelty item | | | | and Flax oil, but Chia seeds are actually more nutritious |
| would actually turn out to have some tangible use? | | | | than flax in that they have more Omega-3 fatty acids, |
| It turns out that Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 | | | | fiber and protein. |
| fatty acids, fiber and protein. The ancient Aztecs ate | | | | You can add the Chia seeds to just about anything. |
| lots of Chia seeds, including when they would go on | | | | You can add them to your smoothies, salads, yogurt, |
| long marches. The Chia seeds turned out to be a very | | | | cereal (both cold and hot), jellies, pancake and waffle |
| good food for endurance, as well as staving off | | | | mixes, sauces, etc. You're only limited by your |
| hunger. The fiber in the Chia seed expands in your | | | | imagination. |
| stomach, making you feel fuller longer. As a matter of | | | | Here's the breakdown for 1 oz. of Chia seeds: Per 1 |
| fact, Chia seeds can absorb up to 10 times their | | | | oz. serving they have approximately 9 grams of fiber |
| weight in water. That sounds like me after I eat a meal | | | | and 5 grams of protein. |
| high in salt. | | | | Kind of interesting isn't it? We keep trying to come up |
| I've written before about how important Omega-3 | | | | with more and more super foods, magic diets and |
| fatty acids and fiber are to your diet, not only for fat | | | | prescription pills to fix what ails us, but the most |
| loss, but for general health as well. Omega-3 fatty | | | | nutritious foods are right under our noses and have |
| acids help prevent heart disease and other heart | | | | been for centuries. |
| ailments, lower triglycerides, lower mild hypertension, aid | | | | Not only things like Chia and Flax seeds, but fruits and |
| with circulatory problems, depression, brain disorders | | | | vegetables, legumes, whole-grains, etc. Eat more of |
| such as Alzheimer's, skin health, arthritis and other joint | | | | them and I guarantee you'll lose fat and be in better |
| issues, hair health, diabetes, immune system, muscle | | | | health overall. |
| function, fat loss, and the list keeps getting bigger and | | | | |