Incorporating Chia Seeds Into Your Diet? What Information You Need To Know


There are many health benefits associated with chia seeds. They are filled with fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, while being low in carbohydrates. They are also extremely filling and low in calories, which can be beneficial when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. And they can help lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. As such, you may be considering adding these tiny seeds into your diet. However, if you have never used or eaten them before, there is some information you need to know. Here is information you need to know about chia seeds if you are incorporating them into your diet.

Different Types of Chia Seeds

If you have never purchased chia seeds, you may not realize that there are different types. One of the biggest differences between the types is the color they come in. There are both white and black chia seeds. However, there is no nutritional difference between the colors and most people can't taste the difference between them. As such, there is no reason to select one color of seed over the other. 

Another difference that you will notice when you shop for chia seeds is that some are sold whole, while others have already been ground. If this is your first time purchasing chia seeds, you likely want to stick with whole seeds. Some recipes call for whole chia seeds, while others call for them to be ground. When you are experimenting with chia seeds for the first time, you want to figure out what recipes appeal to you. You can always grind them yourself for recipes that call for them to be used in that manner, but you can't use ground chia seeds when whole ones are needed. As such, this gives you more opportunity to figure out how you like your chia seeds best. Secondly, whole seeds have a longer shelf life than ground ones when stored properly.

The last major difference you will see among chia seed brands is that some are organic and/or non-gmo. Organic chia seeds are more expensive than non-organic ones. However, they were harvested without the use of chemicals and pesticides. Just like with fruits and vegetables, you will have to decide for yourself whether buying organic is ideal for you.

How to Store Chia Seeds

After purchasing your chia seeds, you will need to learn how to store them so that they do not go bad. If you are looking to store the seeds for a year or less, you will want to place them in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Then place them somewhere dark and cool. If you decide you love chia seeds, you may decide to purchase them in bulk in the future. The more you buy, the cheaper per pound they will be. Chia seeds are great to buy in bulk because it can be stored for years. If you are storing the seeds for one to five years, you will want to place the seeds in a large Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Then place the bags in a sealable one or five gallon bucket, depending on what you have available. Place the bucket in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry. Do not place it somewhere warm or the seeds can go bad.

Drink Lots of Water

There are many different ways you can incorporate chia seeds into your diet. You can use it in smoothies, make pudding, eat them in seed form or make chia seed granola bars. However, regardless of how you decide to use them, there is one tip you should know if you have never used these seeds before. That is to make sure you are drinking lots of water whenever you consume the seeds. Chia seeds will absorb water. When they come into contact with the water in your digestive system, they will absorb it and expand, helping you to feel full longer. Unfortunately, if you do not drink enough water, this can also cause cramps and constipation. Drinking enough water helps to give the seeds water so they can expand and keep you full, while also supplying your digestive track with the fluid it needs to move your food along. Make sure you drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water, if not a little bit more, per day when you consume this food.

Chia seeds are considered by many to be a super food due to all of their health benefits. If you are looking to incorporate this super food into your diet, you will want to know what to look for as you shop for the seeds, how to store the seeds and why drinking enough water when you consume them is important. For more information on chia seeds, check out websites like www.sincerelynuts.com.

About Me

Improving Your Family Dinners

When I quit my job and started staying home with my family, I realized that I might need to brush up on my cooking skills a little bit. I didn't know how to make anything other than extremely simple dishes, and it was really frustrating for my kids, who were used to eating out constantly. To improve things, I enrolled in a local night cooking class, and it was a lot of fun. I learned how to cook excellent dinners, and my new skills were really appreciated by my friends and family. This blog is all about making meals a little better.

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