Chia seeds have amazing benefits for your body, inside and outside! But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. What in the world are chia seeds? Yes, they are those little seeds responsible for the amazing growth of your Chia pet’s luscious green hair, and they can help you look fabulous, too.
Chia seeds come from a plant native to Mexico and Guatemala. It’s a good thing someone decided to bring these little seeds to our parts of the world, because the little guys are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber and so many more nutrients! Chia seeds can be white or black in color, but both varieties carry the same bountiful benefits. Because they are essentially flavorless, it’s easy to add chia seeds into your daily diet.
Some of the easiest ways to sneak these nutrient rich seeds in to your diet is in smoothies, sprinkled on top of salads or yogurt, and baked into bread and other goodies. So, here are 9 healthy reasons you should be doing just that!
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Chia seeds are full of fiber. One serving of chia seeds holds about one third of the daily recommended dose of fiber. Fiber is an essential part of your digestive health. Getting enough fiber in your diet also helps keep you full, curbing your appetite and assisting with weight loss. Sounds good to us!
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Two words: complete protein. Chia seeds have all 9 essential amino acids, making them a complete source of protein. Just one serving of chia seeds has about 10% of your daily protein requirements! Chia seeds are a reliable source of protein especially for vegetarians and vegans. Protein helps repair your muscles, building you a lean, strong body!
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Fight the flab. Chia seeds can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and aid with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition that is often linked to excess belly fat. Excess belly fat, you say? Nobody welcomes that! Sprinkle a bit of chia seeds onto your next meal and watch the fat fry!
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Omega-3 fatty acids are important for prevention of heart disease and for keeping your brain operating at top speed. Fish is the most well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but chia seeds are a better tasting, more versatile option for this important nutrient. Toss some in your next fruit smoothie- plus, no fish breath!
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Got milk? With chia seeds in your diet, milk just won’t compare. Not only are chia seeds full of calcium, they boast five times the amount that milk holds! Sprinkle some chia seeds on top of your next Greek yogurt and your strong bones and teeth will certainly be thanking you!
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Chia seeds are little miracle workers for diabetics and those with blood sugar complications. The seeds can actually slow down how quickly your body turns carbs and other foods into sugars, helping to control your blood sugar levels. Slowing the peaks and drops in blood sugar can help keep diabetics stable.
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Chia seeds are also said to help lower blood pressure. While there’s not a whole lot of concrete evidence to this claim, we’ll go ahead and indulge because of all of the other benefits, too!
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Do you remember how quickly the hair on your long-lost chia pet grew? While chia seeds will not promote a green color change, they can help your hair grow long and strong! Packed with phosphorous, chia seeds promote cell and tissue growth. That means they work wonder for your hair, skin, and nails!
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Feel full, fast. Because of their nutrients, chia seeds help you feel full, quickly. This can help with snacking and regulating your appetite…and of course, weight loss!
So, are you pouring chia seeds into your snack right now?! Get to it! Even if you are not looking to lose weight, your body can still benefit from the wondrous benefits of chia seeds. With all of these amazing benefits, it’s no wonder chia seeds are gaining such popularity. There are so many great ways to sneak them into your staple diet items. Browse through recipes or experiment on your own- you can’t go wrong!
Manon McGovern, creator of The Traveling Trainer, is a fitness and weight management specialist who loves sharing her passion for a healthy lifestyle. She studied Exercise Science at The Ohio State University and started personal training and teaching group exercise classes to introduce herself into the fitness world. She enjoys personal training and teaching Yoga, Spinning, KickBoxing, and strength classes. Now working... Read More
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