Cha-cha-cha-chia! Does anyone remember that commercial? Where you slather the gelatinous paste onto a bald head and you start sprouting greens?
Those are the same Chia seeds that have hit mainstream wellness over the years… and for good reason!
However, they aren't the only seed you can stock up on for tremendous health benefits.
Super seeds that contain essential nutrients that all bodies need:
Chia:
Chia seeds have 40% fiber by weight, which makes them one of the top sources of fiber in the world! It's mostly soluble fiber which acts as a prebiotic (food for your gut bacteria)
They're high in Lignans, plant chemicals that protect against hormone cancers like breast and prostate.
Mix them in smoothies, baked goods, pancakes, or make a chia pudding by adding nut milk and letting it thicken to a pudding consistency and add berries, chocolate, lemon… you decide!!
Flaxseed.
An excellent source of omega-3 and helps with decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It's also a good source of soluble fiber and just like chia, it acts as a prebiotic, since it is also rich in like lignans.
It has a light nutty flavor that can be covered with a stronger taste. Throw some into smoothies or muffins, baking them without damaging the omegas or lignans. You can even substitute it for an egg if you are a vegan using it in baking.
Helpful hint: Make sure when buying flaxseed, you buy the ground flax. Flax seeds have too hard of a shell and pass right through our bodies without nutrients being absorbed.
Hemp seeds
Protein powder substitute alert! Hemp seeds have less fiber than chia and flax, but more protein. They are a complete protein, meaning that they contain all of the essential amino acids we need
They also have a slightly nutty flavor. They are delicious in smoothies, on top of salads or in yogurt!
Tips:
Keep all three in the fridge to keep them from going rancid. I like to take equal parts of all three and mix them up in a container and drop a big spoonful into my smoothie every morning. It saves time!
Have you used any of these super seeds before?