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Chia Seeds

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Indian Running Food

Chia Seeds (pronounced chee-ah) are another new ‘superfood’ that people are going crazy for, but is all the fuss justified? The stories sound sexy enough — the Aztecs, Mayans and Incans traditionally used the seeds to sustain themselves when running long distances, and when preparing to battle. But what can this foreign seed offer us new-age Kiwi folk — who use cars, trains, and aeroplanes to travel long distances, and whose battles are contained to rugby fields?

(Please check out this link to read more blog-posts from me about food advice/reviews e.g. Kombucha, Coconut Water, Coconut Oil, Green Smoothies,  Apple Cider Vinegar, and NZ Farmed Salmon.)

Finding ourselves in yet another foreign 'seedy' situation

We were just getting used to saying ‘keen-wah’ rather than ‘quin-no-ah’, when along comes another seed from South America — Chia Seeds.

Pronounced ‘Chee-ah’, most Kiwis refer to them as ‘Chai-a’ seeds. These seeds can be black, brown or white. While the colors are different, the taste and nutritional value are more or less the same, although the darker seeds have a slightly higher concentration of antioxidants. The Chia seed is prized for the fibre, protein, oil, minerals, and antioxidants it possesses. To put it into perspective, if compared to Quinoa seeds (which are essentially the same size), it packs more of a punch on most nutritional fronts.  However, because of the nature of this particular seed, it cannot be imbibed in in any great quantity.  Therefore in my opinion, it leaves its ‘nutritional’ value of limited use.1

Note:  Let me be clear by saying that its culinary uses however, are unlimited. For instance, I think this Raw Chia Seed Jam from Petite Kitchen is a fab idea.


The fibre And Protein in Chia seeds helps us to:
1— stablilize energy levels
2—balance blood sugar levels
3—reduce cravings and curbs the appetite
4—promote weight loss (by curbing the appetite)
5—increase detoxification and elimination
6—lower cholesterol and triglycerides
7—reduce blood pressure

Note: the top four points contribute to the ‘endurance’ factor that Chia seeds are famed for.

This is approx. how many Chia seeds you should eat in a serving.
This is approx. how much water this amount of Chia seeds will absorb (1 cup). In fact, it could absorb even more than this (1.5 cups)!

The Upside

  1. Its nutrient profile

    For their size (again, similar to a Quinoa seed) these wee ‘performance enhancers’ are chock-a-block full of:2

    FIBRE
    (soluble fibre)

    complete proteins
    (it contains all the essential amino acids — Vegans listen up!)

    omega-3 and omega-6 oils

    minerals

    antioxidants
    (quercetin, caffeic acid and chloregenic acid)

    Apparently Chia seeds contain more omega-3 than salmon, more calcium than milk, and more antioxidants than blueberries. And, considering their size, they contain a ‘sizable’ amount of magnesium and potassium.

    Note: I use the protein content of these seeds to establish serving sizes for my clients. It is difficult to establish dosing based on the actual levels of oils, minerals, and antioxidants. I prefer to recommend other foods and herbs for these purposes.

  2. Taste and versatility

    Chia seeds taste pretty harmless — they’ve got a very mild bitter/sunflower seed flavour to them. Therefore there are endless different ways you can use them (hide them!) They add texture — a bit of crunch — where necessary. This seed can also be used as a thickener, as a replacement for eggs & breadcrumbs, and to coat things.

2 Tbsp of Chia seeds and water — together they make a 'goopy' concoction! This is what happens when you watch and wait (this consistency took 15mins to achieve)

This mixture has 7x the amount of water to seeds... This is the least amount of water that should be used (some believe it can soak up 17x its own weight in fluid)

How to eat or drink Chia seeds

Chia seeds can be used in several ways: They can be eaten freshly ground, or whole. They can be eaten raw or cooked.

How wholesalers suggest you use Chia Seeds

Add them to everything!
They recommend you use them in: cereals, smoothies, salads, soups, energy bars/balls, yoghurt, baked or cooked dishes.

Make them into healthy puddings!

Add them to water (cold/hot) or juice to drink.

The Downside

  1. Meh — I’ve seen it before

    The way everyone goes mad for Chia seeds, you’d think we’d never heard of soluble fibre and its benefits before!

    In case anyone’s forgotten, here are some examples of other foods that do the same job: flaxseeds, slippery elm, psyllium, oat bran, seaweed, legumes, apples, cabbage, onion, nuts and seeds.

    Note: Soluble fibre has a gel-forming action that is believed to create a physical barrier between carbohydrates and your digestive enzymes thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.

    To read more about slippery elm, please click here.

  2. Chia seeds could be a
    little too hardy for some

    I don’t know about you folk, but I don’t think my European digestive tract is as hardy as a native South American’s — whose traditional staple diet is corn and beans. Activate these seeds by soaking them first or by sprouting them, which can help to make the nutrients more accessible and the seeds easier digested (www.sproutpeople.com). This may also help to prevent constipation and gastrointestinal distress that can be created if you do not consume enough water with your seeds.

  3. Don't get too excited
    about the oil content

    Not all omega-3 is created equally! Chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a member of the omega-3 essential fat family. ALA is not the same in its chemical make-up as the other forms of omega-3 that are derived from fish (EPA and DHA). Your body can’t always convert them into the more useable form so easily.

  4. No-one can agree on how much
    you should eat of them!

    Different brands, have different suggested servings sizes:
    Ceres suggests: 10g
    Navitas Naturals suggests: 12g
    Makakana Superfoods suggests: 15–30g

    Different health professionals, and various health bloggers have different opinions as well!

    Most fail to mention how important it is to ensure you are drinking enough water with the use of these seeds.

     

Chia seeds before bed?

Everyone always wants to know this question!

Yes! You can take Chia seeds in water before bed – as described above & below – you won’t poo yourself during the night. (If that’s what you’re really asking?!) 😉

To find out how to ‘create’ the perfect ‘poo’ – please click here.

Lisa says:

Exercise caution

Be moderate with your consumption of these seeds.3, 5, 6
In short:

1— There is not enough long term research on how this foreign seed interacts with our Kiwi digestive systems, and ultimate well-being.

2—No-one can agree how much fluid these seeds can absorb. Therefore it would pay to consume these with water, least they absorb your digestive secretions, and/or constipate you!

How much you
should take to benefit

The aim should be to reach about 5–8 g of protein per serve (this amount is based on a ‘snack size’ for a reasonably active 70 kg person). Therefore you’d want to consume between 25–40g of these seeds — depending how you’re allotting your protein requirements throughout the day.

Note: Sprinkling a tsp of these seeds into your smoothie4 or over your salad won’t add much in the way of protein (approx. one gram!), or other nutrients. This hardly seems worth it consider they don’t add much in the way of flavour. Here you are simply decorating your food.

Who I recommend Chia seeds to, and when I
recommend you take them

Use Chia seeds iN water:

1—if you’re currently overeating

2—if you’re having trouble coming up with enough protein based snacks, or

3—if you’re having trouble producing a regular, soft spongy stool (bulk laxatives can be used for both constipation and diarrhoea — depending on the amount of water consumed along with them)

Chia seeds for weight loss
Use between 25–40g of the seeds to approx.10x the amount of water to create a healthy fibre drink (not particularly tasty but ‘doable’). This is also a portion controlled protein snack to fill you up at mid-morning or mid-afternoon.  This can also help prevent you overeating at the next meal.

Chia seeds Before bed
Take this drink before bed in preparation for your ‘morning poo’. The protein and soluble fibre will also help to regulate blood sugar levels throughout the night.

If taking Chia seeds in this manner doesn’t appeal, then perhaps try sprouting your seeds instead. Take 2 small handfuls of these as a snack (mid-afternoon or before bed). Make sure you drink your fluid requirements throughout the day.

Note: Snacking on Chia seeds won’t help if the reason for your overeating or craving of ‘sweet things’ is due to an emotional issue, nutrient deficiency or a hormonal concern. In fact, you may mask your complaint by doing so. It is advisable to talk with a Naturopath if you have any of these health conditions.

They don't give a quick energy boost — they allow a slow energy release.

Make an appointment with Lisa

Lisa Fitzgibbon is a degree qualified (2006), experienced and registered Naturopath & Medical Herbalist. She runs her own private practice – OOMPH in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.

Lisa has been involved in the Natural Health industry for 16 years. She draws on her professional training and experience, as well as her own personal experience to bring you realistic, holistic health advice.

Book online
1

Please bear in mind that if you have a ‘good’ and balanced diet (full of protein, good fat, and complex carbs) you should be already getting all the benefits that Chia seeds boast… without actually having to eat them!

2

I’ve had people tell me that Chia seeds gives them an instant energy boost.  Currently the research doesn’t indicate anything within this seed that would suggest this is possible. The protein and fibre content will be responsible for this effect, and the result is most likely having a balancing effect on energy levels – rather than providing a burst of it.

3

Not everyone suits a high fibre diet — Chia seeds, and soluble fibre in general can cause occasional gastric distress like bloating, cramping, gas and even diarrhea or constipation.  To avoid this, it is advisable to ease yourself into a high-fiber diet.  For instance start with a tsp, and work your way up to 2Tbsp. Bear in mind, the more of these seeds you consume, the more water you have to drink to avoid constipation  as the seeds can absorb many times their size/weight in liquid (which no one can agree upon exactly — estimates currently range from anywhere between 7–17 x their own weight).

4

When using a suggested serving of protein powder in your smoothie you do not have to add any Chia seeds.  This is because there should be enough protein provided already.  Secondly it is because protein powder is potentially constipating (as it is insoluble) you’re at further risk of causing this concern if you add Chia seeds and don’t consume enough water to compensate.

5

As a general rule with bulk laxatives it is advisable to avoid Chia seeds if you have any of the following conditions: bowel/intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel diseases, unknown abdominal pain, Diabetes mellitus (using medication), stenoses of the GIT, Ileus, or if you are pregnant.

6

Keep your intake of Chia seeds at least two  hours apart from your medication (four hours is ideal). Otherwise it can effect the efficacy. Also consider doing this with your other supplementation as well.

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