Chia seeds: the new "it" superfood

Whole organic black chia seeds $6.98 for 300g

The name makes me giggle because it reminds me of chia pets (remember those? I certainly do), but chia seeds are actually a superfood that is so easy to incorporate into our daily diets that it's worth ch-ch-ch-cheering about. The Aztecs and Mayans have cultivated and consumed chia (a plant species) for millennia, and lately it has been on the tip of many a nutritionist's tongue because it's naturally gluten-free, contains loads of fibre, essential fats, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants. Chia seeds are being touted as an excellent source of long-term energy that enables the body to function at its highest level and burn more calories during the day. What's more, chia has been linked to reducing insomnia, nervousness, constipation, improving cognition and soothing dry skin. Need I say more?

How to add chia to your diet: Chia seeds don't have much of a taste, which makes them ideal for adding to soups, smoothies, cereals, yogurt, oatmeal, salads etc. Some will even use the seeds as an egg replacement in recipes. There's also the option of soaking them in water. All you have to do is put two tablespoons or more in a bowl and cover with some water. In approximately 20 minutes they will have doubled in size, resulting in a thick pudding. You can buy whole chia seeds or ground chia, just keep in mind it's better to get dark coloured chia as it is has more nutrients than the lighter variety. I bought my organic Prana brand chia $6.89 at A Votre Sante on Sherbrooke St. West near Vendome, but they are sold at most health food stores.

Visit: pranana.com for more information and recipes.

 Sources: Chatelaine , The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder CN , Wikipedia