Look out everyone; chia seeds seem to be the new super food on the block! First there were flax seeds and now there’s cha, cha, cha, chia!

Yes the same mysterious seeds that could sprout a lush green head of hair on that ceramic head are indeed the same seeds that are all the rage now. What is it about chia seeds that make them so great?

In just one serving of chia seeds (which is just 1 tablespoon) there is:

• 3 grams of protein
• 5 grams of fiber
• 80 mg of calcium
• 6% of daily iron – which is more than what 1 cup of spinach would give you!
• 3100mg of Omega 3 – which is more than what 3oz of salmon contains!
• More antioxidants then blueberries.
• More protein, fiber, and calcium than flax seed.

Other reasons to LOVE chia seeds:

• Unlike flax seed, chia doesn’t need to be ground up before using.
• Doesn’t have the phytoestrogen concern like flax does (which is why I personally avoid flax).
• Chia seeds soak up 10 times its weight in water, which is great for keeping you hydrated.
• Chia slows the conversion of carbs into sugar, which is great for anyone but is extra great for diabetics.
• Shelf life of about 2 years
• Gluten free

Do I really need to give more reasons?

How about the many ways you can use chia seeds?

• Sprinkle the little seeds on pretty much any and everything! Yogurt, oatmeal, salads, popcorn, smoothies, in baked goods, etc.
• Make chia “pudding” which is just soaking chia seeds in a liquid and since it retains the water in a gel like fashion it’s almost like tapioca.
• Sprout it.
• Chia seeds make a great egg substitute! Mix 1 tbs chia seeds in 3 tbs water and let it sit for 15 minutes. This will replace 1 egg. Use whenever you want an egg substitute.

Brittany lives in Seattle with her husband and three children (a 6 year old, a 5 year old, and a 1 year old). She enjoys researching everything that involves living naturally and writes about her increasingly crunchy life at The Pistachio Project. When she is not chasing the kids around, she enjoys sewing, photography and baking.