The rule of thumb is: 15 grams of chia seeds per day are fine and healthy. It should not be more than this, otherwise the unpleasant side effects of chia seeds can occur. With this balanced amount of chia seeds, the gastrointestinal tract is not overburdened, but supported.
These tiny seeds can provide fiber that helps lower cholesterol, boost your heart health and reduce your risk of developing chronic disease. That said, because chia seeds are packed with fiber and are calorie dense, stick with no more than 2 tablespoons per day.
Chia seeds can absorb up to 10X their weight in water, and so it is not recommended to eat a large quantity of them dry. Eating a tablespoon or more of chia seeds dry from a spoon can cause them to swell in your esophagus, which may cause a blockage.
To soak chia seeds, simply mix them in a 1:10 ratio of chia to water and let them sit for between 30 minutes to two hours. This equates to about one and a half tablespoons of chia seeds in one cup of water, and although it doesn't have to be exact, you do want it to gel all the way and not be too watery.
1. Start with just 1 Tbsp of chia seeds. While some chia seed water recipes call for two (or more) tablespoons of these seeds, Beaver recommends starting out with just one. "Chia seeds are very fibrous, and it's best to increase your fiber intake gradually," says Beaver.
Soak the seeds in almond milk or water (1/4 cup seeds to 1 cup liquid) until they take on a chewy texture reminiscent of tapioca pudding, about 20 minutes. Soaked chia seeds can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, so you can make a big batch at the start of the week.
According to research, you can get the most nutrients out of chia seeds if they are soaked prior to consumption. Although you can certainly eat chia seeds whole and raw in baked goods and cereal mixes or whizzed up in your smoothie, soaking them is the best way to enjoy them and reap their numerous nutrients.
As chia seeds become a sticky gel-like substance when soaked in water, they can also serve as a digestive system cleanser. This is a fantastic method for cleaning out toxins and accumulation in your intestines.
Studies have shown that chia seeds consumption reduces visceral adipose tissues, also known as belly fat.
One serving of dried chia seeds is about 2.5 tablespoons. This has 140 calories, 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrate and 9 grams of fat, of which 8 grams are heart-healthy fats.
Do you have to soak chia seeds before putting in smoothie? You don't have to pre-soak chia seeds before putting them in your smoothie, but you can. I usually prefer to soak the chia seeds if I have time. There is still some debate about whether pre-soaked chia seeds are more nutritious than in their raw state.
In particular, due to the high content of soluble fiber, chia seeds have the capacity of absorbing water, up to 15-20 times their weight. When they pass through the esophagus, they absorb water like a sponge in the intestine area and expand in the stomach. This is what leads to bloating.
For raw chia seeds, you can soak chia seeds with warm water first and then use them or sprinkle a spoonful of chia seeds directly into yogurt, wait 15-20 minutes for the chia seeds to bloom and then use. Can be used with many other fruits such as watermelon, strawberry, mango, ... to make the dish more attractive.
Because they quickly swell after absorbing liquid, it is advised to eat chia seeds that have already been soaked in liquid or are served with a moist food, such as oatmeal or yogurt. Do not eat dry chia seeds by themselves.
Time: Gelling chia seeds takes time! Recipes like chia pudding are best when chia sits in liquid for a few hours, or even overnight. If you want your chia seeds to have that gel-like consistency, they need to sit for a minimum of 20 minutes to absorb the liquid. Be patient!
Add a teaspoon of chia seeds into your water bottle, wait five minutes for the seeds to soak up the water, then sip it all down. The seeds will give you stable energy because they have a balanced ratio of protein, fats and fiber, which means they won't cause peaks and valleys in blood sugar.
The quickest recipe is to just add a tablespoon of chia seeds to 8 to 10 ounces of water or juice. You can drink it right away, but letting it sit for about 10 minutes will let the seeds start to gel.
06/7Soaking chia seeds overnight
Just like overnight oats, keeping chia seeds soaked in water or milk overnight can be a good way to fully germinate them and get rid of any sort of digestive inhibitors (which act as a protective layer).
Water daily: The drought-tolerant, mucilaginous seeds of the chia plant benefit from daily light watering until the sprouts establish roots. Once they have reached the height of alfalfa sprouts or microgreens, natural rainfall should be sufficient.
Medicines: Avoid taking chia seeds if you are taking medications like anticoagulants and antiplatelets (prevent blood clots), anti-hypertensive (treats high blood pressure), anti-cancer, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, as chia seeds might interact with these medicines.