When you hear “chia” you might think of those clay figurines, Chia Pets. But did you know that chia seeds can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet?
Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family. It is often sold under its common name “chia”. It is believed to have originated from Central Amera where the seed was a common staple in the Aztec diet.
Despite their tiny size, chia seeds are packed with nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, calcium, protein, zinc, and phosphorus.
Chia seeds are easy to find in any major grocery store or your local bulk food store. They are can be white or black in colour with a nutty and mild flavour.
Here are some recipes for you to try and begin incorporating chia seeds in your own eating routine or plant based diet.
- This is an easy meal-prep option. I usually make a batch on the weekend to have in my fridge throughout the week for a quick breakfast or snack. Depending on the mix-ins you add to it, it can be vegan and gluten-free. My favourite mix-in is cinnamon and fresh fruit.
Flourless Pumpkin Chia Seed Blondies
- These blondies are great at any time of the year, especially in the fall. I know how hard it is to find desserts that are gluten and dairy free as well as vegan. Luckily, these meet all of those requirements. They remind me of that popular pumpkin spice flavour, but in a bar version.
Chia Crusted Sweet Potato Wedges
- Who doesn’t love french fries? I certainly can’t live without them. These are tender on the inside and lightly crisp with a little crunch. This recipe is a great side for lunch or dinner or just great as a snack.
- Strawberry smoothies are guaranteed crowd-pleaser when it comes to smoothie options. It makes a great quick breakfast option for those on the go. Even your kids will love it! This smoothie will leave will feeling refreshed and dreaming of summer.
- We all know there are tones of sugar in jam. All most too much, which sometimes make it hard to eat. However, when you use chia seeds, you get the same jam consistency, but without all that sugar. It is also perfect to add to gluten-free toast or crackers.
It’s fun to discover more exciting and healthy things to add to your diet. As a chia seed fan, I love the versatility you can do with it. How do you enjoy chia seeds? I’d love to hear how you enjoy chia seeds.
P.S. if you are looking for protein-packed meal options, download our FREE Plant Based Guide for Gainz
