The Chia Seed

Yup. Chia Seeds. Like the chia pets you used to have as a kid, only these do not grow out of the top of some terracotta, bald man's head.

Chia seeds are slowly gaining a reputation as a health food but are still somewhat scarce. My main motivation for eating them came from my desire to eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s reduce inflammation in the body and, as a result, have been found to reduce symptoms of depression, joint pain, ADHD, hypertension and heart disease. They have also been linked to improvements in overall cardiovascular health. Omega-3s have also been shown to counteract levels of omega-6s, which have been linked to increased cholesterol levels.

Most people consume their DRI (250-500 mg/day) of omega-3s from seafood, like salmon. I don't eat fish but at the same time did not want to be lacking in this essential nutrient. I started eating a lot of flaxseed and walnuts (both which contain relatively high amounts of omega-3s) but wanted something with a higher omega-3 yield.

That's where chia seeds come in. Gram per gram, they contain 700 percent more omega-3s than salmon, 500 percent more calcium than milk, and 200 percent more iron than spinach. They also contain all nine essential amino acids to form a complete, high-quality protein.

I buy "Ultimate Chialife" brand from Whole Foods. They are usually found in the supplement aisle along with flaxseeds. You do not need to grind them or process them in anyway. Just pour out of the bag and eat! I usually mix my chia seeds with greek yogurt, flaxseeds and raw honey. Absolutely delicious!