Alive Foods RAW Organic Chia Seeds, 400 g

Chia Seeds

Chia (Salvia hispanica, L.) has been used as food since approximately 3,500 BC and was a staple food in central Mexico between 1,500 BC and 900 BC. The indigenous people and Aztec Indians consumed chia due to its nutritional benefits. Native Americans only needed to eat one tablespoon of chia to sustain themselves during a 14-hour trek. This ancient food was forgotten but has been rediscovered in modern times as an excellent source of many powerful and essential nutrients.

Chia in the daily diet provides a range of health benefits. It is an ancient food with unique properties due to its nutritional composition, functional properties, and its content of dietary fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, water-binding colloids, vitamin B, minerals, and proteins.

An important advantage compared to flaxseeds is that chia seeds can be stored for years without any changes to their taste, smell, or nutritional composition.

4 good reasons to eat Chia seeds:

1. Chia seeds are nutrient-rich: Beyond the fact that Chia seeds contain more omega-3 than any other natural source, they are packed with antioxidants, calcium, protein, fiber, and many other vitamins and minerals.

2. Chia seeds provide energy: Not only do chia seeds give you an energy boost, they also provide endurance. Perfect before or after exercise.

3. Chia seeds help reduce cravings: Since chia seeds absorb so much water and have high soluble fiber levels, they help release natural, unrefined carbohydrates slowly into the bloodstream.

4. Chia seeds are easily digestible: The human body can easily digest chia seeds - they help maintain blood sugar control.

Water-Binding Colloids: A unique property of chia is its capacity to bind water. Chia can absorb up to 12 times its own weight in water, which helps us improve fluid balance. Fluids and electrolytes are the environment in which all body cells live, and their levels should be kept as constant as possible. With chia, the body more easily maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, and nutrients are utilized more effectively. Water-binding colloids, such as those found in Chia, are fundamental to all living cells, having the ability to transport all substances necessary for cells.

Usage:

• Since chia absorbs liquid, it's perfect for making chia-gel or chia pudding. Chia works very well as a "thickening agent" in soups and smoothies. Chia-gel can also be mixed into jams, marmalade, yogurt, or sauces, replacing fat and calories without negatively affecting the taste.
• Use as a fat substitute, protein and energy supplement, and for new flavors in bread by replacing baking fat with chia-gel. Brush bread and other baked goods with concentrated chia-gel for increased shelf life.
• Chia seeds that are blended into powder in a good blender can be used similarly to ground flaxseed. Sprinkle a spoonful on oatmeal, granola, cereal, or in yogurt. It also works very well as a flour substitute and can be used to make bread, cookies, and much more.

Recipe for neutral chia gel: Mix 4 tablespoons of chia seeds and 1¾ cups of water, or more if needed. Pour the water into a bowl and slowly whisk in the gel. This method prevents lumps from forming. Whisk a few times over 10 minutes and then store the gel in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. By mixing between 50-75% chia gel into food or smoothies, you have replaced calories and fat with a product that is 90% water. At the same time, you enrich your meal with important fatty acids, dietary fiber, and protein.

Recipe for chia pudding: 2 tablespoons chia seeds, ¾ cup almond milk (or any milk of choice). Mix together and let it swell for 30 minutes.

Optionally season with e.g. cinnamon, cardamom and sweeten with stevia or honey. Stir and top with e.g. strawberries, blueberries, banana, dried fruit, goji berries, mulberries or cacao nibs.

Recipe Iskiate / Chiafresca: 2 tbsp chia seeds, 2 cups water, freshly squeezed lime, a little stevia or honey. Mix everything in a large bowl/glass jar and stir thoroughly. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least three hours. Then simply enjoy as a drink before or after exercise, walks or during outings.

Recipe Smoothie:

2 cups water 1 scoop vegan protein 2 tbsp chia seeds 1 handful of berries 1 tbsp raw coconut oil Dosage: Recommended intake of chia seeds is 15 grams

per day according to the EU.

Supplier: Alive Foods, Sweden.

Country of Origin: Paraguay.

Nutritional value per 100g: Energy: 1785 kJ / 432 kcal Fat: 28.8 g Saturated fat: 3.4 g Carbohydrates: 10.7 g of which sugars: 0 g Fiber: 33.4 g Protein: 17.2 g Salt: 490 mg

**Nutritional Value per 100g:** Energy: 1785 kJ / 432 kcal Fat: 28.8 g Saturated fat: 3.4 g Carbohydrates: 10.7 g of which sugars: 0 g Fiber: 33.4 g Protein: 17.2 g Salt: 490 mg