For MOMS, MOMS-TO-BE and TODDLERS 7 MONTHS+*
Chia seeds are one of those foods that have gotten a lot of buzz lately. Packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, as well as other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, these tiny little seeds really can be considered a superfood (aka, a nutrient-dense food that packs a ton of nutrition with a relatively small calorie count).
Like most foods, however, not all chia seeds are created equal, as some brands are definitely higher quality than others. O3 Chia Premium is one of those companies that knows this, marketing themselves as the “cleanest chia seeds on the market”.
THE PRODUCT: A product of Mexico, O3 Chia Premium takes pride in delivering the best quality of chia seeds available, going through strict quality control measures from the moment they are cultivated and harvested, to when they are cleaned, packed, and appear on your table.
Packed in air-tight sealed bags, O3 Chia Premium are available in a “family-sized” 300 gram bag, an individual mini-bag that comes in at 25 grams, and even Chia Seed oil capsules, which are a great way to get in your daily intake of Omega-3s without having to deal with any fishy after-taste.
NUTRITION-WISE: So what are chia seeds and why are they getting so much buzz lately?
To put it simply, chia seeds are a small seed that contains an abundant amount of nutrients, including: Omega-3’s, fiber, calcium, iron, protein, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Furthermore, chia seeds contain all the essential amino acids, they have a low glycemic index, are considered a low calorie food, and they do not contain any gluten, sodium, sugar, or cholesterol.
Chia seeds are also known for their ability to: aid in weight loss (by filling you up without lots of unnecessary calories), improve digestion, reduce cholesterol, improve blood pressure, invigorate brain volume and protect the cognitive function, and they can even help contribute to the strengthening of your bones, muscles and tissues.
With their ability to quickly absorb water, and therefore swelling up to approximately 12x their original size, chia seeds are a great addition to smoothies, soups, etc. when looking for some added texture. They can also be eaten “as is”, compared to other nutrient-dense seeds (such as flax), that need to be ground in order for your body to best obtain their benefits.
Coming in at 110 calories, you will also find 10 grams of healthy fats, 10 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of protein per 2 Tb. serving.
*Chia seeds are a great way to help get some extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats into your little ones diet. By mixing them in coconut or almond milk, or even into one of their favorite purees, the consistency becomes that of a thick pudding (depending on how much liquid you add), making it a perfect addition to your baby’s list of first foods.
WHERE TO BUY: O3 Chia Premium can conveniently be purchased via Amazon.com, or you can check out their Store Locator for the location that sells them nearest you.
FINAL THOUGHTS: I will start off by saying that no, not everyone is a fan of chia seeds as their gel-like consistency (when added to liquid) can be a turn-off for those who have a thing with textures. However, I think this really depends on what they are added to and how they are eaten, as like most foods, not all preparations are going to do it for you.
In fact, I think chia seed pudding is one of the greatest culinary “inventions” out there because it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, contains tons of great nutritional benefits, and tastes absolutely delicious (again, depending on how you whip-it-up, or course). With that said, chia seeds can also be used to thicken up salad dressings or sprinkled on top of food for an added crunch, if eating a bowl of straight-up chia isn’t your thing.
Plus, one of the great things about O3 Chia Premium is that they also carry chia oil supplements that provide a great amount of Omega-3s, if that is your main reason for consuming chia seeds. However, the fact that their products are not Organic does make me a bit hesitant in purchasing them – compared to other USDA Certified Organic brands – even though they are non-GMO verified and O3 Chia Premium makes it a point to stress that their quality control and “cleanliness” is the best on the market.
With that said, if you are looking for an easy and delicious way to add some more fiber, protein, and healthy fats into your diet, then you should definitely jump on the chia-bandwagon and see how great adding some simple little seeds into your diet can make you feel!
To learn more about O3 Chia Premium, please visit their websites www.o3chiapremuim.com and www.thebestofchia.com, and check them out on Facebook.
And remember, Contact Healthy.Fit.Fab…Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!
