Chia seeds are one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods in the world. They are rich in omega 3, fibre, protein, magnesium, manganese, and antioxidants. 2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds a day is all you need to reap the benefits of this superfood.
Chia seeds are native to South America and have been used by the Aztecs and Mayans for energy, endurance and stamina since the 1500s. Chia is Mayan for strength and these people, along with the Aztecs understood the health benefits of these seeds. Legend tells that Aztec warriors would consume a spoonful of chia seeds and this could satiate them for 24 hours. Because of this they considered chia seeds to be magic, but we now understand that the combination of protein, fat and fibre in chia seeds means that they are digested relatively slowly. This helps to keep blood sugar levels stable as there is a longer and slower release of energy.
Interestingly chia seeds are actually a part of the mint family. This means that chia seeds are usually grown organically without the use of pesticides, as mint naturally repels insects. Chia seeds are also unprocessed, whole grain and naturally free of gluten.
Plus, they are super versatile to use! They can be used as a to make jam, as an egg substitute, you can toast them up, grind them into flour or simply drink mixed with water– the options are almost endless. We use chia seeds in our bircher muesli, on top of our smoothie bowl and of course in our chia cups because we know how great they are for you and we love to pack as much goodness into our food as we can.
