Chia

Chia seeds are small, edible seeds that come from the Salvia hispanica plant, a close relative of mint. Originally a staple food in ancient Mayan and Aztec societies, Chia seeds have gained popularity in recent years as an organic superfood, rich in fibre, protein and a wealth of other essential nutrients. They’re typically sold as whole seeds, but also come in powder form.

Chia seeds are packed with nutrition, but most of all they’re known for their high fibre and protein content. Their carb content is primarily non-digestible fibre, meaning they provide great digestive support with minimal carb calories.

Chia seeds are a very healthy grain, making them an ideal staple to use as a base for your meals, much like quinoa, brown rice, or couscous. If you’re someone who often struggles to get their daily intake of dietary fibre, or if you’re on a vegan or vegetarian diet, Chia seeds are an ideal food to round out your nutritional intake and ensure your body is well nourished.

You sure can. A lot of people choose to use Chia seeds to add extra nutrition to foods like oats, yoghurt and cereal, but there are all sorts of recipes available for cooking with chia seeds – even baked foods like cookies. You can also use them to make a delicious, nutrient-rich pudding.

Of course, a healthy diet includes a variety of food sources, so you should always try to vary your dietary intake and not eat the same foods every day. But as a natural grain that’s rich in nutrients and fibre, Chia is a perfectly fine food to eat daily, in moderation. Just remember to mix things up and eat a varied diet as much as possible.

Chia seeds can be eaten in a variety of ways. They’re most popular served as a dessert made from Chia seeds, a non-dairy milk alternative and some natural flavouring such as maple syrup or honey, but a wide variety of recipes and serving options exist if you want to experiment with cooking or baking with Chia seeds.

Because they’re a small, simple grain, Chia seeds can be easily incorporated into your daily diet as a sprinkling or topping. It’s great to add on top of your cereal, porridge or yoghurt in the mornings, and can even be blended in with salads and dips.

Chia seeds are rich in a wide range of minerals that are essential for your body’s healthy daily function. Some of the minerals found in high quantities in Chia seeds include manganese, phosphorus, selenium, copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium. It’s this high mineral content that makes them an ideal nutritional source for anyone on a vegan or vegetarian diet.