NUTRITION

Focus on: Chia Seeds 

Chia seeds may be tiny, but they are a metabolic powerhouse that help lower glucose and deliver essential nutrients

including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins B1 (thiamine), and vitamin B3 (niacin).

They are a great source of soluble fibre; your gut microbes will love them! 2 tablespoons of chia seeds packs around 11g fibre (almost a third of your recommended daily intake).

The antioxidants, minerals, fibre, and omega 3 fatty acids may support heart health, strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.

Chia seeds are very easy to incorporate into your diet. They taste rather bland, so therefore can be added to almost anything. They don’t have to be ground or cooked, just use them whole.

Sprinkle them on top of your salads, vegetables, (they are great sprinkled on sweet potato), added to overnight oats, added to your baking, soaked in juice, added to kefir, yoghurt, soups, smoothies etc.

These amazing little seeds absorb liquid and expand so much they can be used to thicken sauces and can be used as an egg substitute when you bake (replace one egg with ¼ cup chia gel). Chia gel is simple to make just mix ¼ cup of chia seeds with 1 cup liquid, it will turn into a soft gel within about 20 minutes. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Chia pudding is so versatile and easy to make too. Just mix 6 tablespoons of organic chia seeds with 2 cups unsweetened nut milk in a mason jar, shake and pop in the fridge overnight.

Add nut butter, cocoa powder, nuts, pumpkin seeds, berries… whatever you prefer, to make this a delicious and nutritious addition to your day!