Lise weight by chia seeds

Long before chia seeds were introduced into the North American diet, these tiny super-seeds were used by the ancient Aztec and Mayan warriors for strength and stamina. In fact, “Chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.”





They come from the plant Salvia Hispanica, which is part of the mint family.  Whether ground or whole, these powerful seeds are still used in Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala for nutritious drinks, and as a food source. It is just in the recent years that they have become very popular among the health community.



Not only are they packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, but are are natural alternative known to boost energy levels. I love that they have a neutral taste; which helps them to increase the nutritional value of my favorite recipes without altering the flavor.



Because of their gel-forming ability, chia seeds can be mixed with pretty much any recipe as a delicious and nutritious addition. Because they absorb up to 10 times their weight in the water eating them is a great way to stay hydrated as well.



Whether they’re blended into breakfast smoothies, yogurts or oatmeal, sprinkled over your favorite salad for lunch or baked into healthy desserts; keep in mind most recipes suggest you let it sit for a few hours. When they sit in liquid, they absorb a lot of it which causes a gel-like substance; especially great for thickening puddings, gels, and batters.



I never even heard of them until I was talking to my girlfriend one day and she happened to mention them. I was so interested in hearing about them, lol.. I know it sounds silly, but I just had to have them!



I enjoy them so much that I just can’t help but tell everyone about them! I usually have a critique about everything.. well mostly everything; but there isn’t one disadvantage about this small, powerful super food. Click here to order your 2 Pound bag of Viva Labs Organic Chia Seeds.



I use 6-8oz of almond milk, powdered peanut butter, 1-2 cups of ice, 1-2tbsp of seeds and one scoop of my meal powder. Not only do I love the texture, but I find myself feeling full for an extended period. Remember if you like it thick and gel-like, prepare the night before so you can let it sit overnight. It’s not a must just my personal preference.



I also attached the link to my #1 choice for a meal replacement. I have tried many different shakes but ever since I came across Garden of Life RAW Organic Meal Vanilla 33.5 oz (949g) Powder; I have not even thought about trying anything else. It keeps me feeling full longer than any other meal replacement I have tried, and it gives me tons of energy. It comes in 4 different flavors; I like vanilla, but everyone has their preference.



RAW Organic Meal uniquely combines the goodness of multiple Garden of Life products in one complete raw organic meal replacement. It has the nutrition of seven products in one container! RAW Organic Meal delivers 20 grams of clean protein per scoop from 13 raw sprouted ingredients, along with greens, healthy fat, 5 grams fiber, probiotics, enzymes, plus 21 vitamins and minerals, and with less than 1 gram of sugar. It’s not only a delicious and convenient on the go meal, but is packed with 44 super foods that satisfy your hunger, help you to lose weight, and feel great!



 Raw Organic Meal Benefits

1. Convenient, organic raw shake and meal replacement.

2. Great alternative to dairy and soy proteins.

3. Boosts energy and builds lean muscle†.

4. Helps you stay full and supports a healthy weight†.

5. 1.5 billion live probiotics plus enzymes to support digestive health†.

6. Ideal for almost everyone, including those on a vegetarian or vegan diet.







I don’t want to bore you, so I am not going to go on and on about things you guys don’t even care about, but I am going to touch on a few interesting and significant health benefits of my new obsession!


1. Chia Seeds Deliver Mass Amounts of Nutrients

They say good things come in small packages right? Well, don’t let their size fool you. These small seeds have a very high nutritional value.  A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving contains (1,2)



                                              Carbohydrates: 12 grams (of which only one gram is a digestible carb)

Fiber: 11 grams.

Protein: 4 grams.

Fat: 9 grams (of which 5 are Omega-3’s)

Calcium: 18% of the RDA.

Manganese: 30% of the RDA.

Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.

Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.

They also contain a good amount of Zinc, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin A, and Vitamin E







2. High In Dietary Fiber, Low In Carbs

Fiber is a substance found in plants. Dietary Fiber, which is the type you can consume, plays an important part in a healthy diet.

The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) suggest that men and women consume between 28g-35g of fiber per day to meet dietary requirements.

Out of the 12 grams of Carbohydrates found in chia seeds, 11 of those grams are fiber. Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel, which helps slow digestion. Dietary fiber adds bulk to your diet which can help you feel full faster and longer.

While there isn’t much evidence that links chia seeds to weight loss, their definitely a great addition to your diet.







3. Chia Seeds Are A Great Source of Vegetarian Protein

Animal proteins are filled with all of the amino acids that we need, so chia seeds are an excellent supplemental source of protein for people who eat little or no animal products.

As per the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), adult women require 46g of protein per day and adult men require 56g. Consuming a variety of protein sources is essential for healthy development and production of cells.  There’s no need to go overboard on protein. Though some studies show benefits of high-protein, low carbohydrate diets in the short term, avoiding fruits and whole grains means missing out on healthy fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients. Chia seeds are an excellent source of vegetarian protein. Studies have shown that eating one daily serving can increase fullness, which may lead to better weight management.

A high protein diet leads to prolonged reductions in appetite, caloric intake, and body weight. An increase in dietary protein from 15% to 30% of energy at a constant carbohydrate intake produces a sustained decrease in ad libitum caloric intake that may be mediated by increased central nervous system leptin sensitivity and results in significant weight loss. This anorexic effect of protein may contribute to the weight loss produced by low-carbohydrate diets. (Weigle et al., 2005)





4. Rich In Calcium And Many Other Bone Nutrients Like Vitamin D

They are filled with many nutrients that are essential for bone health but one of the most known and vital, being calcium. I know you remember your parents or guardian to make sure you drink your milk so you can grow up to have strong, dense bones. Well, it’s just as important in keeping them healthy as you age.













5. Chia Seeds Provide a Rich Supply of Antioxidants

Known to have one of the richest supplies of antioxidants among all seeds. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances shown to exhibit powerful cellular defense. This ancient superfood contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, proved to delay the signs of aging, improve the look and feel of skin and naturally increase energy levels.







Chia Seeds are definitely among the list of “superfoods” that have earned the name. I can’t wait to hear what you all think about them, and please feel free to ask any questions or post comments about your progress!