What are the nutritional values for organic Chia seeds?
Even though chia seeds are quite small they're loaded with tons of nutrition so don't let the small size fool you. They're known as a Super Fruit because of the amount for nutrition they are packed with.
Chia Seeds Nutrition Facts
A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains the following:
Fiber: 11 grams.
Protein: 4 grams.
Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
They also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.
Who Should be Taking Chia?
Because this can a very nutritious addition to your diet it could certainly be a new ingredient in your morning smoothies. With that being said chia seeds in foods is a great idea but it certainly is not meal replacement option but it's certainly a great source of fiber and a great alternative to help improve your diet. Research shows that the antioxidant activity of chia seeds is even higher than that of any any whole food, including blueberries.
It is recommend that you take two daily doses, each consisting of 20 grams (a little less than 2 tablespoons) of chia seeds.
Chia seed contains a whopping 5 gm of fiber in every tablespoon that is responsible for the swelling when th seeds are combined with water, creating a chia gel. Whether you eat chia gel or just the raw seeds, the hydrophilic action of chia seed will curb your appetite as you will feel fuller for longer periods of time. Amazingly, chia gel can also be used as a substitute for eggs in many baked goods. Use a proportion of 1 to 6 ratio of Chia Seeds to water to make the healthy chia gel. Use approximately one tablespoon of chia gel to replace one large egg in any of your baking recipes.
How to Eat Chia Seeds
You will notice a mild, nutty flavor when you first try chia seed so if your into meal pairing then consider chia with both sweet and savory dishes. Many people put chia seed in puddings and smoothies or sprinkle them on top of porridge and salads, but you can also add these to baked goods in place of flaxseed meal or poppy seeds.
Chia Negatives
There could be a reaction if you already have food allergies to other seeds like sesame or mustard seeds or if you are taking medication for high blood pressure or blood thinners so it's best to ask your health care provider before adding chia to your diet.
Trying Chia for Yourself
Enjoy chia seeds for their flavor and to boost the fiber, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and omega-3s in your diet. But don't expect a big weight loss boost.
Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet (or seed) for weight loss. If you want to lose weight, you'll need to follow a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and get more physical activity.
For those that don't know the name Salvia hispanica is also known as chia seeds and they offer many health benefits. The seeds come from a flowering plant that is in the mint family called the Lamiaceae, that is found in central and southern Mexico and Guatemala.
The Salvia hispanica has been around for a very long time dating back to the 16th-century where Codex Mendoza (drawings or illustrations) show the Aztec cultivating it for food, so it's clear the benefits of chia have been known for many years. The Aztec or Nahuatl, gave it the name "chia" which traslates into the meaning oily.
Even today there are Chia farms that grow this plant commercially for its seed, because they are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds can produce 25% - 30% extractable oil, including α-linolenic acid (ALA). Of total fat, the composition of the oil can be 55% Omega-3, 18% Omega-6, 6% Omega-9, and 10% saturated fat. This make it a much better source than from salmon especially farmed salmon that has a considerable amount less.
Fact is these chia seeds are Six times more calcium than milk. Forty-one percent of your daily fibre, and 100% more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. The cost in calories? Forty one and a quarter, per tablespoon. That's awesome!
Digestive Science Organic Chia Seed
What do Salvia hispanica or Chia seeds look like?
Technically the seeds are only about 1 mm (0.039 in) and are typically small and oval. They are mottle-colored with brown, gray, black and white. These seeds can absorb up to 12X their weight in liquid when they are soaked.
If you have ever had a chia based drink the first thing you notice is the texture caused by the swelling of the seeds and that they become covered in a a gel-like coating. In Australia and Mexico these seeds are part of the everyday diet and are now becoming more popular in the USA and Canada as is more recognized by the name chia, chian or chien and of course Salvia hispanica L.
Chia Health Benefits
A 1 oz (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains the following nutritional benefits:
Fiber: 11 grams.
Protein: 4 grams.
Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
These healthy seeds are also great sources for Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.
There is a whopping 137 calories in a single ounce and one just 1 whopping gram of digestible carbohydrate!
The equates into, 1 ounce equals 28 grams, or about 2 tablespoons.
As mentioned earlier, there are many health benefits to adding chia to your diet and they would include the following:
Better Control of Diabetes - Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes.
Adds More Fiber - Just a 28-gram or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fiber and that's about a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. Adding some chia to your diet is an easy way to make sure you're getting a good amount of fiber, which is important for digestive health.
Loaded with Omega-3 - Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. "There's better conversion of omega 3s into the plasma or into the food than with flax seed," said researcher Wayne Coates.
Stronger Teeth And Bones - A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts your well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis.
Adds Manganese - Manganese isn't a well-known nutrient, but it's important for our health: it's good for your bones and helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin. One serving of chia seeds, or 28 grams, has 30 per cent of your recommended intake of this mineral.
Adds Phosphorus - With 27% of your daily value for phosphorus, chia seeds also helps you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Phosphorus is also used by the body to synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair.
High in Protein - Chia seeds also make a great source of protein for vegetarians and don't have any cholesterol. One 28-gram serving of these super seeds has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value.
Can Target Belly Fat - Chia's stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health.
Appetite Suppresant - Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey meat and is also found in chia seeds. After your big Thanksgiving dinner for example, tryptophan is the reason you have the strong urge to nap after you eat but also helps control your appetite and will improve sleep and mood.
Really Good For the Heart Health - According to the Cleveland Clinic, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics, and may also increase healthy cholesterol while lowering total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol. All good news for your ticker!
You may also remember the "Chia Pets" from the 80's? The first introduction to chia seed were part of the Chia Pets revolution back in the 1980s were you would water the pet and the seeds would sprout like fur.
If you live in Canada and you're wanting to buy Chia seeds in Canada then we can help you make sure you select the best brand available for us Canadians. I have tried a few different brands and finally settles on the brand from Digestive Science® and here is why... It packs over 27 vitamins, minerals, fatty acids & amino acids in just 41.25 calories per tablespoon. So what it does with those few calories is simply awesome. Chia by Digestive Science® is just incredible, with instant nutrition that can help you:
Lose Weight
Boost Your Energy
Increase Lean Muscle Mass
Lower Cholesterol
Stabilize Blood Sugar
Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet and that is why they are called Superfoods.
They are loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain. Chia by Digestive Science® will also give you healthy skin, increase mental sharpness and many benefits you'll both see and feel
What are Chia Seeds?
One of the best omega 3 foods is Chia that is also known by the name Salvia Hispanica is the richest whole food source of pure Omega3 - 100% More than Salmon. Due to its high fiber content (more than 35%) Chia seeds have the remarkable ability to absorb ten times their weight in water, making it an excellent source of hydration. The fibers in Chia will form a gel that slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, bind to toxins in the digestive system, and helps eliminate waste making it excellent cleansing tool too!
Chia Seeds facts
Chia is especially rich in essential fatty acids. One 15gm serving offers more than 3 gm of Omega3 (as alpha-linolenic acid) and 1 gm of Omega6 (linoleic acid) in a perfectly well balanced 3:1 ratio. A number of researches suggest a 3:1 ratio to be perfect, so always look for this. You will notice that the texture of Chia seeds are attributed to its high fiber content and water binding capacity. Omega3 Chia seed can be added to many foods that you eat everyday like, cereal, soup, salad, yogurt, shakes and baked goods.
Chia seeds nutrition facts
A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of Chia seeds contains Fiber: 11 grams. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s). Calcium: 18% of the RDA. Manganese: 30% of the RDA. Magnesium: 30% of the RDA. Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA. This brand from Digestive Science® also contain a decent amount of Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and Vitamin B2.
How to Use Organic Chia Seeds
When adding the Chia seeds to foods use 1 table spoon and for water, juice, yogurt or your preferred beverage you can add one scoop. Chia as an endurance-promoting Superfood!
What is the best brand of organic Chia seeds?
Well I have tried a few different bands and I have to say the the Chia seeds from the GNC stores "SUCK", sorry for offending anyone but in my opinion there are better brands then those ones. I aways thought that all Chia seeds were the same no matter where you buy them but after trying a few from Amazon and one from the GNC store I thought that this Super food was not for me but it is now that I found the right brand. When I tried the Chia from Digestive Science I was very impressed and so I'm passing on this information so you will know what your getting and that's a REAL organic Chia seed product. I bought a one month supply and I found that I can eat this brand without any preparation time and I paid just $19.99 without any Canadian sales tax because this brand shipped from the USA and arrived right at my door in just 5 days.
Where to Buy Chia Seeds in Canada
One of the leading brands for chia seeds in Canada is from a company called Digestive Science and they offer Organic Chia Seeds that are, in my opinion the perfect superfood for those that want to burn fat while trying to eat healthier but don't have a lot of time! These chia seeds are quick... easy... and tasty!
