the basics

Native to South America, Chia is a species of flowering plant typically grown and harvested for its seeds. Chia seeds may be small, but they’re packed with valuable nutrients not often found in other foods. They’re high in antioxidants, Omega-3s, protein and dietary fiber. Plus, chia seeds are naturally gluten-free.

Unlike flax seeds, chia seeds don’t need to be ground in order for the body to absorb the nutrients, making it easy to add them to your food and drinks. You can find chia seeds in two varieties: white or black. There is no difference in health benefits or taste, just the color!

using it at home

These super seeds are unique from other seeds, not only because of their nutrition profile, but for their ability to form a gel when combined with water. Mix 1 Tbsp. of chia seed with 3 Tbsp. of water, let sit, and you have a vegan egg replacement for your baking recipes! You can find more baking tips here.

Running out of fast and healthy breakfast ideas? Add a sprinkle of chia seed to your oatmeal, yogurt or smoothie as an easy way to gain texture and nutrients in your morning meal. Chia pudding is another great option for an on-the-go breakfast that you can create with only 5 ingredients! Check out our Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding recipe here.

why we love it

With the help of chia seed, it’s simple to improve your Omega-3, antioxidant, magnesium, calcium and potassium intake! Mix a spoonful into your cereal or yogurt, or top off your morning smoothie with a dash of chia seed—either way, you’ll be increasing your intake of essential minerals and protein. Boasting 15x more magnesium than broccoli and 30% more antioxidants than blueberries, it’s easy to see why we’re crazy about these little seeds!