The Power of Chia Seeds
If you have read my blog posts before you will probably know that I am a big fan of nuts and seeds. So packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they are just seriously good for you! Today I’m going to focus on chia seeds and explain what health benefits making them part of your diet will bring you. But as well as that explain more broadly how to get all the health benefits of nuts and seeds without falling into the unhealthy traps a lot of people do when eating them. Let’s dig into the power of chia seeds.
Why are Chia Seeds Healthy?
Chia seeds are high in fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 and omega 3 fatty acids.
Chia seeds are also am excellent source of antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals which build up in the body and contribute to the aging process and the risk of many diseases such as cancer.
The omega fatty acid and fiber content reduce the risk of heart disease.
They also help keep bones strong and reduce blood sugar levels.
And the best bit is you really don’t need a large quantity to get the benefits. Even a teaspoon in your breakfast would make a huge difference. They are so tiny you can add them to stuff without even really noticing they are they.
Pitfalls of Nuts/Seeds
The first mistake people make is simply the quantity of nuts/seeds that they eat. The thinking is that because they are healthy it doesn’t matter. As I have explained above they are really healthy, but because the fat content is high the calorie content is high as well. Nuts are all typically 650-700 calories per 100 grams. So if you keep picking at them without thinking you could easily eat 300/400 calories without really realizing it. So you need to weigh out what portion size you want. At least the first time so you know how many calories is roughly in a set amount. For example if you want a 150 calorie snack, you would weigh out approx. 25 grams. Then stick to that quantity.
The second mistake is how the nuts are prepared/processed. You should ideally pick raw/natural/unprocessed nuts/seeds. Not salted, dry roasted or coated in some other flavoring. If you choose these options you are taking in a lot of salt, processed cheap oil to make the coating stick to the nuts, and other flavorings and preservatives. All unnecessary and pretty nasty added ingredients. So just buy them natural.
Conclusion – The Power of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds and indeed all nuts and seeds are seriously good for you and should be included in everyone’s diet. But keep them natural, and watch the quantity!