Sunday, March 11, 2012

Chia Seeds: Nutrition for Weight Loss

Chia Hispanica also popularly known as the Chia is part of the mint species, and is native to the South American region. It comes from the genus Solanum and subgenus Brevantherum and has many indigenous names such as big eggplant, china flower, potato tree and wild tobacco. Chia is normally grown for its seeds and has become one of the most sought after dietary add-ons in the market. Many celebrities that have endorsed it as a weight loss additive have grown to promote the popularity of Chia seeds. There are many ways of preparing Chia seeds that would make it palatable and easy to consume. People normally use it as a variant but you can be creative on how you prepare it. There are some fun ways of consuming Chia Seeds that will make your dieting more enjoyable:
  • Use Chia as a Nourishment additive
If this is the first time that you are consuming Chia then adding it to a fruit smoothie or a shake is your best way so you don’t encounter the bitter aftertaste. Chia takes a while to get used to and throwing a couple of spoonful to your favorite fruit smoothie will give it a great fiber boost and a lot of texture. It’s an acquired taste but you will get used to it real quick.
  • Use chia for your salads
A lot of people will normally add seeds like sesame to spice up their salads and add flavor to it. You can do the same with Chia but get a healthier benefit since Chia Seeds pack a lot of fiber and Omega- 3. If you can find a good poppy seed dressing recipe then you can substitute the main ingredient with Chia seeds. A Caesar salad dressing sprinkled with two spoons of Chia Seed is also a good alternative as it complements the tangy flavor that the dressing has.
  • Snack on it

Toasted Chia seeds that can be added to a flour additive to create a refreshing snack is a great way of enjoying the health benefits that come with consuming Chia. A spoonful of chia can be added to some really delightful hors d'oeuvres or can be eaten as an afternoon delight as you sprinkle it on bagel or scones. Chia seeds have a nutty aftertaste so it can be a compliment to some of your favorite snacks.

Lifestyle Learning Direct maintains courses on Nutrition and wellness that will teach you how to properly assess your health and maintain its balance. Visit their website today and learn more about what you can do to stay at optimum health.

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