Centuries ago, the Aztecs used chia seeds as an energy source to prepare them for battle. Flash forward to the present, and we're finally starting to take advantage of this amazing superfood ourselves. Chia seeds are perhaps one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can feed our bodies, being absolutely loaded with magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and omega-3s— more so than some of the best natural sources of these components. According to an article by Greatist, per ounce, chia seeds contain roughly 2x more potassium than bananas, 3x more iron than spinach, 6x more calcium than milk, 15x more magnesium than broccoli, more fatty acids than any other plant, and more antioxidants than the power house of antioxidants themselves, blueberries!
Chia seeds come in both ground and whole forms, and unlike flax seeds, you can eat them whole and still derive benefit. However, as mentioned in an article from The New York Times, the Dole Food Company discovered that in milled form, a greater amount of the omega-3s' alpha-linolenic acid hit the bloodstream, converting into a long-chain fatty acid that aids in heart health. The other difference you'll find amongst chia seeds is color. Coming in both white and black, each are equal in nutritional value; therefore, I recommend buying the less expensive option.
How now to go about adding chia seeds into your diet? Being virtually tasteless, you can add chia seeds into just about anything without altering your foods' flavor (if you're not convinced, check out this entertaining YouTube video that was featured on The Huffington Post Canada). Simply add a couple of tablespoons into your morning oatmeal, cereal, or yogurt, and you're good to go!
P.S. ~
If you didn't happen to notice my new instagram button, check out my sidebar! Follow for a look into some of my health and fitness adventures and findings!
No comments:
Post a Comment