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Chia seeds. If there’s a more hyped up superfood out there, I don’t know what it is. Chia seeds are high in so many nutrients that you need, including omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
But is there a wrong way to eat them? You bet.
First, let’s break down how chia seeds work.
One of the reasons people recommend chia seeds for weight loss is because with water, they expand to multiple times their size. That means that a small amount of chia seeds can make you feel full for much longer. Our bodies can digest chia seeds, as long as we don’t, for example, eat a dry handful and then chase it with water.
Unfortunately, one man did, and he experienced intense dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. The chia seeds, which should ideally either expand beforehand or not be allowed to expand until they hit your stomach, were not given time to do either of these things.
So how do you enjoy them without accidentally asphyxiating yourself? There are two ways.
Soaked. This is the way that raw foodies recommend you eat chia seeds if you want to get a lot of their nutritional value and eat a ton of them. These water-soaked chia seeds can go in chia pudding or a chia detox beverage.
Whole. If you do decide to eat whole chia seeds, make sure you eat an appropriate amount and add them to more substantial foods so they can have time to reach the digestive tract. Try them in muffins, a smoothie, or yogurt. A little goes a long way for these microsuperfoods.
There’s no reason to stay away from chia seeds, but it’s always best to educate yourself on its potential dangers before you go for any food you’re unfamiliar with. So now that you’re armed with the right and wrong ways to eat chia seeds, enjoy your chia pudding to your heart’s content!
How do you like to eat chia seeds?
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