Living a nutritionally balanced lifestyle is difficult. You should always try to find food sources for nutrients before relying on supplements. Chia seeds are one of the easiest seeds to incorporate into your diet and they have several nutrient benefits.

An Easy Fiber Source

Chia, much like flax seeds, are high in fiber. Specifically, they are high in soluble fiber. You may want to include chia seeds at meal times to help you feel more satiated or eat them as a snack between meals to curb hunger. When chia comes into contact with liquid, it not only swells, but causes the liquid to thicken. Chia can be used as a thickening agent in smoothies to help reduce the amount of milk or yogurt you use to achieve a specific texture. You can also use chia as an egg substitute in some recipes. This thickening ability also helps with constipation. Chia seeds can help keep your stools softer and make them slip through the intestines easier.

Filled With Omegas

There are many benefits to increasing the omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. If you do not like taking supplements or eating fish, chia seeds are a good alternative source. Increasing omega-3s in your diet is often associated with improving cardiovascular health by reducing blood vessel inflammation. The same anti-inflammatory effect is also beneficial for people who have inflammatory diseases, such as certain forms of arthritis. Since chia seeds have such a mellow flavor, it is easy to incorporate into savory or sweet foods. Consider toasting some chia seeds to have readily available as a topping on salads or parfaits.

High In Antioxidants

Antioxidants are important to help protect your body from the damage caused by free radicals. The health benefits associated with antioxidants include lowering the risk of certain conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and vision problems. Since there are many types of antioxidants, each with their own benefits, chia alone is helpful, but not enough.

You should consider ways to incorporate more colorful fruits and vegetables to boost your antioxidant intake. Dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, which is another type of antioxidant. If you enjoy chocolate with nuts, consider making a similar snack. Mix melted chocolate with roasted chia seeds. Pour the mixture on a lined baking tray and allow it to cool. You can break off small pieces for an antioxidant-boosting treat.

Incorporating more chia into your diet has many nutritional benefits. Since you can find chia seeds online, they are easy to incorporate into your everyday life and create your own unique, nutrient-boosting meals and snacks.