10 Fun ways to eat chia seeds
Chia seeds - tiny protein-packed sprinkles bursting with nutritional value. They’re a wellness staple, but knowing how to eat chia seeds is tricky. Keep reading if that sounds like you or if you want new, creative ideas. We’ve filled this article with chia seed recipes, meals with chia seeds, and ways of adding chia seeds to your diet. Did you know that you can use chia seeds as an egg substitute?
What are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds come from a plant in the mint family, originating from Central America. They are classed as a superfood because they are incredibly nutrient-dense and low-calorie.
What are the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds?
Eating chia seeds raw, soaked or cooked is great for your health and wellness. Here are some of the benefits of chia seed nutrition:
- Packed with protein - There are 20 grams of protein for every 100 grams of chia seeds (at least there is in our chia seeds!). Therefore, adding small amounts to savoury meals or sweet dishes will quickly increase your daily protein.
- High in fibre - You need 30 grams of fibre a day, which most UK adults struggle to get. However, chia seeds contain 32 grams per 100 grams. So, a teaspoon of chia seeds will help you on your way to hitting your fibre intake.
- Source of omega-3 fatty acids - Omega-3 is a healthy fat and an excellent anti-inflammatory. It opens up arteries for blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach essential organs, hair, skin and nails.
How to Eat Chia Seeds
1. Chia Seed Pudding
Knowing what to make with chia seeds is one of the biggest hurdles. But adding chia seed to baked goods like this chia seed pudding is easy. This recipe is a fresh and nutritious dessert that tastes great. It’s straightforward to make - just whip it up in a few minutes. Follow the below recipe for your chia seed pudding:
Step 1. Combine the below ingredients
- 6 tablespoons of organic chia seeds
- 2 cups of almond milk (unsweetened or sweetened)
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
Step 2. Pour into an air-tight jar and give a good stir
Make sure you stir well - otherwise, the chia seeds can clump together. You also want the maple syrup and vanilla essence to spread evenly throughout the mixture.
Step 3. Put on the jar lid and leave in the fridge for three to four hours or overnight
The magic of a chia seed pudding happens in the fridge. Chia seeds expand by absorbing liquid and, in a low-temperature environment, will transform the mixture into a jelly-like pudding.
Step 4. Add your choice of toppings
There are endless toppings you can add to chia seed puddings. Experiment with different flavours, fruits, nuts and seeds. Check out some of our ideas below:
- Jam and freeze-dried raspberries.
- Manuka honey and nuts.
- Dried strawberries and organic maple syrup.
- Mango slices and pumpkin seeds.
2. Poppy and Chia Seed Bread
Imagine the warm scent of homemade bread filling your home. Heavenly. If you’re an avid bread maker, branch out and experiment. Create a delicious twist by adding fibre and crunch with poppy and chia seeds. You can also coat the loaf in pumpkin and sunflower seeds for collagen-building amino acids.
3. Chia Seed Cake
Whether you have a soft spot for fairy cakes or a triple-layered sponge, take it up a notch and mix in chia seeds. It’s a simple way to get some omega-3 while treating yourself.
Hint: Chia seeds in baking pair wonderfully with lemon. Go one step further and decorate with our lemon and orange candied peel.
4. Chia Seed Pancakes
You can’t go wrong with pancakes, especially when they have a tasty pop of chia seeds. You can also super-boost your pancakes with extra nutrition and protein. Try swapping out all-purpose white flour with almond flour or coconut flour for a sweet, nutty flavour.
5. Chia Seed Smoothies
Add the superfood chia seeds to your smoothie for omega-3, fibre, protein and amino acids. There are limitless options. Whip up a savoury spinach, turmeric and kale smoothie or go sweet with mango and passion fruit. Simply add a tablespoon of chia seeds and whizz together.
Top smoothie tips
Include these seeds for a supercharged smoothie:
-
Flaxseeds - Also known as linseeds, flaxseeds are a golden brown colour and a high source of healthy fats. Use one teaspoon or one tablespoon, depending on the size of your shake.
-
Hempseeds - With an incredible amount of protein per serving, hempseeds will help build muscle and provide slow energy release. Experiment with hemp heart seeds or hemp protein powder.
-
Poppy seeds - These tiny blue-black seeds are bursting with essential vitamins and minerals. Stir in a teaspoon for extra nutrition.
6. Chia Water
Chia seeds in water are a simple solution to make water interesting and hydrate yourself with added nutrients. Soak ¼ cup of chia seeds in 4 cups water for about half an hour. Add lemon, lime or any citrus fruit for a burst of flavour.
7. Chia Seed Porridge
Porridge is filling, nutritious, abundant in fibre and great for sustaining energy levels. Include a little crunch and additional vitamins with a teaspoon of chia seeds. These seeds soak up liquid, so the more you add, the thicker the texture will become. Sprinkle your porridge with nuts and dried fruit for a dose of magnesium, calcium and vitamin A.
8. Chia Seed and Nut Salad Topping
A fun and simple trick to get chia seeds in your diet is to dust your salad with chia seeds. It will give you a boost of omega-3 and protein. You can also add a juicy pop with our nuts and cranberry salad sprinkle.
Does that afternoon slump leave you reaching for a cup of tea and biscuits? Maybe you’re feeling peckish, and your fingertips are itching for the chocolate bars. Give yourself a burst of tasty energy with chia seed protein balls. You only need a few ingredients:
- Chia seeds
- Oats
- Protein powder
- Raisins or chocolate chips
- Almond milk
9. Chia Seed Jam
Chia seed jam tastes delicious, and there are a multitude of different flavours to make. Try apricot, strawberry, raspberry, or blackcurrant. You can make homemade jam and give it as a gift or store it in the pantry for rainy days.
Enjoy Chia Seeds With Grape Tree
We select high-quality, organic chia seeds for baking, smoothies and breakfasts. You can also use chia seed protein powder for a healthy, sugar-free protein boost. Browse our wonderful range of superfood chia seeds today.
