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 What exactly are chia seeds?

The word "Chia" is derived from an old Mayan word that means "Strength," a moniker that is well-deserved given that these little seeds are a veritable powerhouse of energy.

Chia seeds are small, white or black seeds that are produced by the Salvia hispanica plant, a member of the mint family. They are indigenous to Mexico and were a vital part of the Aztec and Mayan diets. Chia seeds are full of vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other elements. 

They may be consumed whole or crushed, and they are frequently used in smoothies, muesli, yoghurt and baked goods as a vegan alternative to eggs. Chia seeds may also be used to create a gel-like material that can be substituted for eggs in recipes as a thickening.

Do they eatable?

Chia seeds are really edible and frequently used in baking and cuisine. They are a well-liked addition to smoothies, muesli, yoghurt and baked products because of their mild, nutty flavour. Chia seeds can be consumed whole or powdered, and they can also be soaked in liquid to produce a gel-like material that can be used for eggs in baking recipes that require vegan ingredients. There are many vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other elements in chia seeds.


Dietary Value of Chia Seeds

According to 1 ounce (28 grammes) of chia seeds, the following nutritional information is provided:

Protein has 137 g of energy.

8.6 grammes of fat, mostly composed of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

carbs totalling 12.3 grammes, and 11 grammes of fibre: 177 mg. calcium

265 milligrammes of phosphorus and 95 mg of magnesium

44.8 mg sodium and 1 mg zinc.

Additionally, chia seeds are a wonderful source of other vitamins and minerals, such as thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and niacin (vitamin B3). They also contain a lot of antioxidants and may be good for your health in other ways, like lowering your risk of heart disease, reducing inflammation, and improving digestion.

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Are Chia Seeds Beneficial For Losing Weight?

What benefits can chia seeds offer? Losing weight is first on the list. They are rich in antioxidants, protein, healthy fats, and dietary fibre, all of which help the body get rid of toxins, build lean muscle mass, lessen inflammation, and keep weight in check. Let's look more closely at how these little seeds could help you solve a significant issue. 

1. Rich in Dietary Fibres

Consuming a diet high in fibre is always beneficial to you and detrimental to your belly fat! Chia seeds and other foods high in dietary fibre suggest a better blood sugar response to calorie consumption. Additionally, they help to stifle unexpected hunger pains and keep you satisfied for extended durations. They help improve digestion and lessen the likelihood of constipation.

2. Contains a lot of protein

Friends who eat vegetarian or vegan food, pay attention! High-quality proteins found in chia seeds can successfully aid in weight loss and muscle growth. If you don't consume meat or eggs, you might want to think about including chia seeds for weight reduction in your meals as they appear to have 32% more nutrients than eggs.

3. Has Strong Antioxidants.

If you didn't already know, antioxidants are helpful when attempting to lose weight. Chia seeds are beneficial in detoxifying your body since they are a strong source of antioxidants. They are known to include caffeic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid, which support the body's metabolic processes and increase energy.

4. Rich in PUFA

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, generally referred to as good fats, have a favourable effect on the heart and decrease bad cholesterol. Chia seeds have a high concentration of PUFA, which affects our hormones that control appetite and curbs cravings. It increases energy, promotes weight reduction, and satiates appetite.

5. Enhances Metabolism

The advantages of chia seeds for weight reduction include improved metabolic performance. Chia seeds are high in omega-6 and fat-soluble vitamins including A, B, D, E, and K. They not only increase metabolism but also decrease visceral adipose tissue, which aids in the reduction of belly fat.

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6. Avoids Binge Eating

Leptin synthesis in our bodies is strongly correlated with protein intake, according to a study. Just so you know, the hormone leptin is responsible for suppressing and controlling appetite. Because of their high protein content, chia seeds are well-recognised for boosting leptin synthesis, which eventually results in reduced hunger sensations, better appetite control, and overall weight management.


How may Chia Seeds be used to Lose Weight?

Chia seeds may be incorporated into your everyday life in various ways. The nicest aspect about them is that they don't alter the flavour of your cuisine, making them quite flexible.

The Chia Pudding

It is the most typical method that chia is used. Below is further information on how to make it as well as our go-to recipe.

Salads

To increase the amount of omega-3 in your green salad, add chia seeds to the salad or incorporate them into the dressing.

Beverages/ Smoothies

Add these chia seeds to your nutritious smoothie for a boost of fibre-rich roots that will help you stay satisfied for longer. Chia seeds are a fantastic way to give the food some crunch. They may also be soaked and added to meals to create a gel-like consistency.


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Yoghurt 

Yoghurt may be consumed with all three of the day's meals and is the greatest food for losing weight. For optimum results, the user should mix chia seeds with the yoghurt. Chia seeds can be used for weight loss in yoghurt chia seed pudding.

Oatmeal 

One of the finest meal alternatives to include in a diet plan for weight reduction is an oatmeal diet. Add chia seeds to muesli as whole grain as part of this diet. And eat as much of them as you can.

Soup with gravy 

Add some chia seeds to the soups and gravies so you may start eating them right away and benefit from their ability to aid in weight reduction.