Chia seeds are from the mint family and are consumed like the whole grains. These are of a plant which is non-grass and are rich in carbohydrates. When these chia seeds encounter any liquid, they absorb the liquid and swell up, forming a thick gel. Due to the high content of fiber, chia seeds are beneficial for the weight loss program you choose. This, alone, cannot work for losing weight; you need to ensure you have a well balanced diet and a well planned exercise regime for losing weight.
How Chia Seeds help in Losing Weight?
These seeds contain almost 9.75 grams of fiber and 4.69 g of proteins in every ounce. These work well when included in the weight loss diet as protein and fiber, both can help in suppressing the appetite and make anyone feel full for a long period of time. This can save you from unhealthy snacking. These seeds contain only 138 calories, which is an added benefit for those looking to lose some weight.
Some Other Benefits of Chia Seeds:
Besides aiding an individual in the weight loss program, chia seeds offer a whole lot of other benefits. Some of these are listed below.
- Anti-oxidants present in Chia seeds:
Besides the many nutrients, chia seeds are known to contain a number of anti-oxidants. These antioxidants definitely have a positive effect in the overall health. These can also help in fighting the free radicals.
- Presence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in these seeds can help in fighting depression, reduce the risk of heart diseases and also help in improving the quality of sleep. In short, these seeds are essentials for the health related to omega-3 fatty acids.
- Chia Seeds and Calcium:
Not many are aware that these seeds have more content of calcium as compared to dairy products. These are apt for those who do not eat dairy products. You can mix this with your yogurt if you do have dairy and enjoy the multiple benefits of these magical seeds.
Chia Seeds for Breakfast:
These seeds work best when eaten during breakfast time. It is important to ensure you mix these with some sort of a liquid, be it water or probably milk. If these are not mixed in water before consumption, they tend to absorb the water from the GI tract.
You can mix these seeds to a smoothie or even to any cereal. The proteins and fiber present in these seeds can keep you full for a long period of time.
These seeds can help in weight loss but only with the required changes made to your life style and daily diet. There are chances that seeds interact with medications used for thinning of the blood or those taken for blood pressure. It is advisable to consult your doctor before you decide on including chia seeds to your daily diet for the required loss of weight.
