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As you may have read in my earlier posts, I am a big time foodie. I love to cook. I love to be creating deliciousness in my kitchen, or any kitchen for that fact. A killer steak, to various ethnic foods, to various styles of cooking, I love to create them all. This includes one of my earliest love affairs of smoothies.

I’ve been doing healthy smoothies since I was a toddler practically. I was born in 69′. Raised during the time of the beginning of the health craze, meets the skinny, meets the anorexic, goes back to health faze, add fitness craze. Now of course, we’re all that, and just as importantly, body positivity faze. Just being healthy is what is most important, to most of us.

This concept and lifestyle is seemingly at the forefront of everyone’s minds now, especially after all the world has been through these past years. Pandemics, crisis and crisis again! Smoothies are probably one of the reasons why I am so healthy. Just possibly.

So, I’ve seemingly always had Chia Seeds in my diet, in some form or another. Now days I really incorporate them into my smoothies, dressings, dips, even ice cream, and eggs.

Chia seeds are an ancient superfood — they were a mainstay of Aztec and Mayan diets because of their nutritional value. The word “chia” means strength in the Mayan language, and the seeds were known as runner’s fuel. This concentrated protein source is also rich in fiber, helping keep the body full and energized for hours. Chia seeds are easy to add to any diet and can be used to make puddings, added to baked goods, or sprinkled on cereal or savory dishes. When added to a liquid, chia seeds expand into a gel, which makes them a great plant-based option for thickening sauces or replacing eggs.

For my smoothies, I usually have in my fridge, soaking, in gelatinous state, Chia Seeds to readily add to my smoothie. Basically, I put 2 tablespoons of seeds per 8-12oz of water in a jar with lid. Shake. Put in fridge. Every time I open the fridge I shake the jar again. Then when I’m ready to make a smoothie, viola! My thin, jelly like water, with Chia Seeds, is ready to blend. Just add my ingredients to the blender, my chia water, and sometimes I blend ice. Sometimes, I pour the blend over ice. They have no flavor, and are an amazing super food. I usually make a blender full of smoothie, and drink half in the morning and the other half in the evening. Great for your entire body!

I’ve recently created “The Sour Smoothie”. It’s tart, satisfying, filling, and nutritious. I’ll make sure to share my recipe in a future post. For now, I’ll just call it my ‘Black Cherry Protein Super Food Smoothie’. I’ll keep you posted. I will tell you it is delicious. Great ‘wake me’ up in the morning, and great ‘wind down’ in the evening. No added sweeteners. Low carb. Good stuff.

Chia seeds are high in fiber, which can help facilitate the absorption of water, making the stomach expand and feel fuller, quicker. Fiber also helps the digestive system run smoothly and regularly. The high-protein content in chia seeds may also help control appetite. Combined with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise, chia seeds could play a role in reaching a healthy weight.
Fiber stimulates digestion. Eleven out of the 12 grams of carbohydrates in chia seeds are fiber. Unlike other carbohydrates, fiber does not require as much energy because it does not raise blood sugar or require insulin. Chia seeds offer 40 percent of the daily recommended intake of fiber. Foods that are lower in fiber, or full of simple carbohydrates and sugars, move quickly through the gut, preventing valuable nutrients from being fully absorbed. A high-fiber diet can slow down digestion, leading to improved blood sugar levels.
A diet high in sugars and simple carbohydrates can cause fluctuating blood sugar levels that can lead to cravings obesity and diabetes. Chia seeds are a rich source of protein and omega-3s, the combination of which can help improve metabolic health and stabilize blood sugar levels. People with pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, must carefully control their blood sugar levels. Choosing high-fiber, high-protein foods including chia seeds can help manage digestion and avoid the spikes and crashes that poor diets and empty calories can cause.
The health benefits of chia seeds reach all the way to the heart. As a source of omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds can help reduce inflammation and decrease the chance of developing deep vein and arterial thrombosis or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). Chia seeds can also help raise HDL, the healthy cholesterol, which will help reduce plaque in the arteries and improve brain and cognitive function.
The carbohydrates in chia seeds have a slow conversion time, which means they fuel the body for longer. Because they take so long to digest, they slow down digestion, which makes nutrients available for a longer period. Many endurance athletes, especially marathon runners, snack on chia seeds to improve their performance. Chia seeds are also added to energy bars and meal replacement bars for their protein content and ability to sustain energy.
It is ideal to avoid workout drinks loaded with sugar and caffeine. Not only can they make us feel edgy or jittery, but water is the most important fluid to help keep the body hydrated. Instead of processed pre-workout beverages, achieve a natural boost that will enhance both pre- and post-workout performance with chia seeds. Just a spoonful of the seeds mixed with water and a splash of lemon can help sustain hydration and energy during exertion.
A one-ounce serving of chia seeds contains approximately five grams of protein — about ten percent of the average daily requirement of this nutrient. The seeds also contain amino acids necessary for muscle repair and growth. Chia seeds are ideal for people who choose a vegetarian or vegan diet; adding chia seeds to smoothies, soups, or salads can increase the protein intake for people who don’t eat meat or dairy.
One way amino acids improve health is by promoting the production of neurotransmitters. Tryptophan, an amino acid in chia seeds, can help people feel more calm and sedated. It helps the brain increase production and reception of serotonin — the “happy hormone” — and regulates melatonin levels. Serotonin relieves anxiety, while melatonin improves sleep.
The body creates natural by-products known as free radicals, a consequence of cells aging and breaking down. These molecules are dangerous to overall health because they disrupt healthy cell repair and new cell generation. Unchecked, free radicals can contribute to premature aging and cancerous growths. Antioxidants prevent the reproduction of free radicals and reduce their ratio to healthy cells. Chia seeds are high in antioxidants.
Calcium is an essential ingredient for building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis — brittle bones that break more easily. A one-ounce serving of chia seeds contains fifteen to twenty percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium. The seeds also contain phosphorus and magnesium, both of which are necessary to build bones and make the best use of calcium.
The teeth are constructed similarly to bones. Thus, the vitamins and minerals in chia seeds help build and strengthen teeth as well as the skeletal system. Besides calcium, vitamin A and zinc are two more beneficial nutrients in these little seeds. Zinc prevents plaque buildup, which ultimately fights the onset of tartar, too. Vitamin A helps promote saliva production, which prevents the adhesion of bacteria, thus helping keep oral diseases at bay.
Chia seeds are naturally organic, non-GMO, and raw. They do not need any pesticides or artificial supplements to grow, which means they are always free of poisonous chemicals used in the cultivation of some plants. People who follow a vegan raw diet, or otherwise wish to reduce their GMO intake, can rely on chia seeds as a healthy substitute for many animal products.

It’s the small changes we make to our every day life that add up to major changes in our future self’s. 1% adds up to 2%, adds up to 3%, and more. Sure sometimes you slip, but get back up, learn, don’t beat yourself up. Think of all the great things in your horizon, and build. 1% at a time. This mantra connects to all facets of our lives. To continuously strive to be the better version of ourselves than we were yesterday.

Like I said, of course you get setbacks. Don’t let those setbacks keep you down. Learn, and grow from them. Be like a Phoenix and rise above the setback. You got this!

Click the link below to read full informative article.

https://facty.com/food/nutrition/13-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/12/