6 Ways To Add Chia Seeds Into Your Diet 

Whether you’re trying to increase your fiber intake, eat more healthy whole-foods, or are merely looking for a way to eat more nuts and seeds, then keeping a jar of chia in your kitchen is a great place to start. Chia seeds are one of the healthiest foods and best sources of fiber in the world, but they’re not exactly exciting all on their own - so here are six easy ways to add more of these super-seeds into your diet. 

Use Them In Your Baking

Whatever it is you’re baking, toss a tablespoon or two of chia seeds directly into the batter for a boost of healthy fiber and nutrition. Chia seeds make a great addition to bread, cookies, muffins, pancakes, and traybakes that are both sweet and savory, so there’s no excuse not to get creative with them in the kitchen. 

Sprinkle Them Over Salads

Extra texture can really make or break a salad. Although bread croutons are one way to achieve a satisfying crunch, adding a sprinkle of nuts or seeds is a healthier and more nutritious way to add interest and texture. For maximum crunch, combine smaller seeds like chia seeds with some larger seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and why not toss in a few chopped walnuts or cashews while you’re at it too. 

Try Them As An Egg Replacement 

Believe it or not, chia seeds can actually be used to replace eggs in vegan baking. To make a chia egg, all you need to do is combine 1tbsp of chia seeds with 2.5tbsp of water and allow them to sit for a couple of minutes until gelatinous. Chia eggs may not be an egg replacement on flavor, but they work great as a binding agent for cookies, muffins, and quick bread. 

Level Up Your Oatmeal 

If breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, then it makes sense to start your day off with a bang. One of the best breakfasts for weight loss and slow-release energy is simply oatmeal, but don’t stop there; top your oatmeal with a tablespoon of chia seeds for extra fiber, omega-3’s and protein, and add a handful of dried berries for natural sweetness and antioxidants. 

Make Chia Pudding

If the way to your heart is through sweet foods, then you have to try chia pudding. Chia seeds can absorb up to 10x their weight in liquid, transforming them from a dry seed into a gelatinous pudding-like dessert. To make chia pudding, all you need to do is combine chia seeds with milk or non-dairy milk of your choice and your favorite flavors. Here are a few recipes to try. 

Drink Your Chia Seeds

Last but not least, if you don’t love the texture of chia seeds, then an easy way to incorporate them into your diet is to blend them into smoothies. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds to your smoothie ingredients before you blend them, and hey presto - you’ve got a smoothie with extra fiber, protein, and antioxidants. 

Chia seeds may look uninspiring, but they are a super versatile seed that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. How will you eat yours?