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Chia Seed and Flax Seed


Robyn Openshaw - Apr 26, 2009 - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


So you’ve been reading about chia seed.   (I know this because I get lots of questions about it.)   Yep, I’m talking about the little things that grow the chia pet, now getting lots of attention as a power food.   And it is.   A highly expensive one (I bought a pound of it recently for about $18).

Chia seed has 7 times as much iron as spinach.   At 18%, it has more protein than beef, and its amino acids comprise  a complete protein.   It slows conversion of sugars in the bloodstream, so it’s great to eat with a  high-sugar meal.   (I mean  like potatoes or fruit–hopefully y’all have abandoned or are at least minimizing refined sugars.)

Its mucilaginous properties mean it absorbs toxins, and it’s fantastic for weight loss.   I don’t like to eat after dinner, so if my dinner was light and I get really hungry later, what I do is eat a large spoonful of chia seed and chase it with a big glass of water.   It absorbs 10 times its own weight in fluids, so it fills you up when you are hungry with hardly any calories.

It tastes mild–tastes like nothing, really.   You can sprinkle it in cereal, or put it in a smoothie–but it will dramatically thicken your smoothie.   For that matter, it’s a great thickener!   Put 1  tsp. chia seed in 3 Tbsp. water, and you’ve got yourself an egg replacement.

It’s packed with those rare Omega fatty acids that your body cannot manufacture and must receive from foods–in perfect proportions.   And it stores for a very long time!

I highly recommend it.   I’ll find a way eventually to get it for cheaper in a local group buy (maybe national–we’ll see!).   I wish it were less expensive.

Now flax seed is still quite inexpensive at less than $1/lb.   You can watch my YouTube video making flax crackers if you want to hear more about its virtues, or read Ch.  4 of 12 Steps to Whole Foods. (All my demos are on GreenSmoothieGirl.com under the Videos tab now–and I have lots of new ones coming.)

Just want to share a thought from GSG reader Rochelle T., who happens to also be my cousin, whom I set up with her husband 19 years ago!   (I have 65 first cousins, 49 of them Romneys, but she’s the one I’ve been closest to my whole life–now she has 5 children.)   She was trying to figure a way to get flaxseed in her diet every day.   She just eats a spoonful of ground flax seed every morning, chasing it with water.   She says it’s nutty and pleasant tasting and it’s a great habit she’s gotten into.   Great idea.   Keep in mind that grinding flax seed (unnecessary with chia) makes its nutritional properties much more available.   Just don’t grind it far in advance, as it goes rancid quickly.

Hope this is helpful!

Posted in: 12 Steps To Whole Food, Green Smoothies, Tools & Products, Videos

15 thoughts on “Chia Seed and Flax Seed”

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  1. Anonymous says:

    What about sprouting chia seeds? Are they more nutritious when sprouted?

  2. Anonymous says:

    I’ve been grinding flax seed and keeping it in a tupper in my fridge and adding to my smoothies every day….now I’m reading that I need to use it just after grinding. Would flax oil be better? It’s hard for me to grind the seed just before using it, b/c my blender jar is usually wet.

    Also, I’m going on a trip to Virginia soon, and will take my blender, but won’t have my alkaline water. I’ve heard that adding trace minerals would help with that…true or false?

    Any good tips on traveling and eating/drinking the good stuff are most welcome!

    Thanks, Robyn!

  3. http:// says:

    Okay to keep a few days’ worth of ground flaxseed, just use it as soon as possible afterward. Flax oil is good, but of course flax is the whole food which is always best.

    Trace minerals are needed if you’re not getting any from other sources. (Original Crystal Himalayan Salt has them all, FYI.) It won’t make your water alkaline.

    Grind the flax BEFORE using it for anything wet?

  4. Anonymous says:

    Thanks. I always make a blender full and drink it over 2 days, so I have to wash it before making the next smoothie. Guess I’ll have to start either making just one days’ worth or put the 2nd days’ in something else so I can wash and dry the blender.

    Thanks for the VMG….it does hide nicely in the smoothies and I feel much better. And the Bee Pollen and Maca, too. So nice to have a way to get stuff in that doesn’t taste so great on its own.

    Now, do how to keep all this stuff cool on the plane, in the car, etc? Do I need to take a cooler w/me? The airlines may not allow the cold/ice pack stuff. Guess I could just leave my stuff at home and buy more when I get there.

    You’re the best, Robyn!

  5. Anonymous says:

    I am wondering if anyone has had issues with dehydration and or magnesium depletion after adding chia seeds to their diet. My son had been taking 2 scoops of chia seeds daily for a few weeks, he developed a muscle twitch in his neck which became so severe it would cause his head to jerk backward uncontrollably. Someone suggested a magnesium deficiency, so I stopped the chia seeds and added almonds, and other seeds and nuts high in magnesium. The symptoms seem to abate very quickly.

    Has anyone else had an experience like this after taking chia seeds?

  6. http:// says:

    Wow, never heard of that, but please, everyone, if you eat chia, remember that it can absorb 10x its own weight in water, so drink at LEAST that much with it!

  7. Anonymous says:

    There is a cheaper way to by them and that is at http://www.nutsonline.com

    By far the best prices. I love these in my smoothies.

  8. As far as i know the daily intake for the chia seed is just 1 tablespoon per meal. Then leave it for 30 mins to an hours. I got my chia seed for a lower cost per pound. I bought my chia seeds at http://www.hidalgofoods.com I have also collect recipes for my chia seeds. In fact i had my smoothie chia this morning. And i love to eat chia seed 3 times a day.

  9. Anonymous says:

    me & my wife have been using chia for awhile & feeling great. trimming down & increased energy (very increased). just ordered 55lbs on line @ $4 a lb. should be ok for a couple yrs

  10. Anonymous says:

    There is no minimum daily intake for chia seed. Another good source of chia is http://www.azchia.com. There is also a cookbook offered.

  11. chia is a superfood.You can put it in any kind of food for your daily intake.

    For chia supplies. You can get that at Hidalgo Foods

  12. Anonymous says:

    Nice article. If you take a daily spoonful of flaxseed oil or 1-2 heaping tablespoons of ground flaxseed , you are giving your entire body a healthful supplement. And the best thing is that flaxseed has a pleasant, nutty flavor – tastes good! For me the flax seed is best and healthiest foods. It has lots of benefits.

  13. Anonymous says:

    I just started eating Chia Seeds, and I am hooked! They make me feel so good and are a great addition to my diet! They can be expensive, yet if you live in the states there are some great GNC coupons that you can use to purchase large bags of the miracle seeds!! I just ordered two more bags and I keep one at work for a quick fix (if needed)! Thanks for sharing some recipe ideas, I am constantly on the search for new ways to incorporate Chia Seeds into my diet!

  14. Anonymous says:

    I just started eating Chia Seeds, and I am hooked! They make me feel so good and are a great addition to my diet! They can be expensive, yet if you live in the states there are some great GNC coupons that you can use to purchase large bags of the miracle seeds!! I just ordered two more bags and I keep one at work for a quick fix (if needed)! Thanks for sharing some recipe ideas, I am constantly on the search for new ways to incorporate Chia Seeds into my diet! Off to go make some yogurt with CHIA seeds now!

  15. Anonymous says:

    I agree with Rick; cheapest known-good place online is nutsonline.com — currently $6/lb for non-organic. Local health markets can be even better; my local Whole Foods has organic for $7/lb.

    I combine the seeds with any non-carbonated liquid I like (juice, milk, tea) and stir a lot for 10 mins. Easy and delicious.

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