The best time to eat chia seeds is all day, and they can be easily added to various recipes to increase their nutritional value. Chia seeds can be eaten raw or added to puddings, breakfast smoothies, juices and more.
Consumption of chia seeds in the morning especially on an empty stomach is considered to be the best time to consume them, as they increase the metabolism and support the digestion of every meal of the day. However, some research also supports that eating them at night helps in providing a better sleep pattern.
Chia seeds are highly nutritious, boast a long list of health benefits and can be a healthy dietary addition for most. However, moderation is key, as eating too many may cause side effects. To prevent this, start with 1 ounce (28 grams) daily and assess your tolerance before slowly increasing your intake.
Chia seeds have proven benefits (we tried it ourselves!) when consumed on an empty stomach every morning. Apart from having high levels of fiber, calcium, protein and healthy fats, these seeds also contain magnesium that help to keep cortisol level low, and in turn, uplifts your mood.
Drinking it in the afternoon may help prevent you from overeating later in the day, and drinking it in the evening could help reduce your appetite before bed. However, if you're hungry and haven't eaten in a while, consider refueling your body with a nutrient-dense meal rather than filling up with chia seed water.
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.
Don't let chia seed water sit out
"Chia seed recipes call for some soaking time, but it's important to drink the mixture soon after — within two hours — or refrigerate it," recommends Beaver.
Why aren't my chia seeds gelling? 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.
Soaking chia seeds releases additional “enzyme inhibitors” that nature has in place to protect the seed from sprouting prematurely. Without soaking when you eat them, the enzyme inhibitors also will bind to nutrients we need, potentially create nutritional deficiencies, and irritate your digestive system.
“Just combine 1 tablespoon [tbsp] of chia seeds with a glass of water (optional: add lime) and drink 30 minutes before meals,” she says, in addition to explaining they increase feelings of fullness.
A common dosage recommendation is 0.7 ounces (20 grams or about 1.5 tablespoons) of chia seeds twice per day. Remember to drink plenty of water to prevent any digestive side effects. Chia seeds are easy to prepare and often used as an egg substitute and added to oatmeal or smoothies.
Studies have shown that chia seeds consumption reduces visceral adipose tissues, also known as belly fat.
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.
Dry chia seeds can also be added whole or ground to smoothies and juices, mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad. If you're adding the seeds to a drink or a "wet" dish like porridge, they'll swell up slightly while you eat but retain a slight crunch.
However, if you eat dry chia seeds, without giving them any liquid to absorb before ingesting them, they'll absorb the water within your system and potentially cause a blockage.
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.
“Chia and flax seeds should be stored in the fridge to extend their life and to prevent their volatile oils from becoming rancid or from oxidizing.”
Chia seeds are packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants, and minerals such as calcium. These nutrients give it a range of benefits, such as boosting weight loss to controlling blood sugar levels. They also support bone and tooth health, boost metabolism, and reduce inflammation.
The seeds soak up a lot of water and will form a gel-like consistency. Perfect for stirring into your cereal bowl. Why not combine soaking the chia seeds with making a colourful yoghurt, like in my blueberry yoghurt 5-minute breakfast!
Chia seeds are a great source of fibre. Consuming chia seeds with water in the morning helps in giving your digestive system a boost and improves bowel movement. Healthy digestion is a prerequisite to weight loss. The best time to eat chia seeds is when you wake up.
How to make chia seed water. Czerwony recommends putting one or two tablespoons of chia seeds in an eight- to 10-ounce glass of water.
Cold water is the best option for soaking chia seeds. Unlike a lot of other foods, heat isn't needed to break down and soften chia seeds. They can easily absorb the water when it is cold. If you don't like the idea of cold chia pudding, check out the top tips section below for tips on making warm chia pudding.
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. 5.
4. Allergies. "Chia seeds are in the mint family, so people with known allergies to mint, sesame, or mustard seeds should be cautious about trying chia seeds," Zellner says. "Food allergy symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, itching of the lips or tongue, or anaphylaxis."