These tiny black seeds have become a popular superfood in the healthy food world, originally from South America, chia seeds come from the Salvia hispanica plant, which is a member of the mint family. This blog post will run through some quick facts and a couple of recipes for you to enjoy.
The main reason why chia seeds are popular is because they are rich in fibre, which helps us feel fuller for longer. This is why many people eat them the morning as they also aid with digestion and keep our blood sugar levels stable.
Not only are chia seeds rich in fibre but they are also rich in calcium, which is known to help aid bone health. It actually works out better if you eat a bowlful of chia seeds rather than a glass full of milk, as you will receive a much higher volume of calcium.
You can make a fair few recipes with chia seeds, as they have a fairly neutral taste that can be seasoned to whatever you like. Below are a couple of ideas we love re-creating.
Toasting the seeds is a great way to add texture to your to your salads, cereals, cakes and smoothies. Toast the seeds at a low heat on the hob, be sure to keep tossing them so they don’t burn.
Tropical Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pots are great for experimenting as you can’t really go wrong with them. In this recipe the seeds will absorb the milk, turning them into a soft consistency.
Recipe
- 100 ml almond milk
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 4 tbsp of chia seeds
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 mangos
- Combine the almond milk, coconut milk, vanilla extract and chia seeds together and chill for 2 hours.
- Peel and de seed the mangos and blend until smooth.
- Once the chia seeds have been chilled, add a layer of the chia mixture to the bottom of your glass and then add a layer of the mango puree on top. Alternate, until glass is full and add honey to sweeten on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Chia Seed Smoothie
The best part about smoothies is that you are able to chuck virtually anything in and it will taste fantastic (aslong as you pair it with fruits and vegetables you like). Chia seeds offer a great texture to smoothies and even-though you won’t be able to taste them, they will still give you plenty of benefits.
Recipe
- 200 ml vanilla almond milk
- 120g blueberries
- 90g raspberries
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 avocado
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 50ml water
- Add all ingredients together and blend until smooth, this smoothie will be thick, so if you prefer a runnier consistency don’t freeze the bananas.
Both of these recipes will offer a great snack during the day, as they are super healthy and keeps you fuller for longer. You can buy chia seeds from most supermarkets, as it has become popular over the past 6 months.