Like most of the contestants, perhaps you think of chia as a pet that grows plant hair on your kitchen windowsill. Think again. These days, chia has become a popular superfood added to meals or drinks - and for good reason! It has fiber, omega-3s and is also a complete protein! Dubbed "Aztec running food," many athletes drink chia seeds before workouts for more endurance, energy, longer hydration and quicker recovery. A total winner!
You can easily find chia at health food stores or online. You can also buy them ground, but most people prefer the whole seeds. Here's a tip: be sure to get the white variety, since regular chia's charcoal color may resemble burnt oven residue - or as one of the contestants kindly expressed, "little bugs." Not so appetizing, and not something you're likely to stick with long-term!
My trick of the trade is to drink chia to stop hunger and increase energy levels (without the jitters you may get from caffeine). Curb afternoon cravings (vending machine raid!) and earn yourself serious skinny bonus points by making a chia mocktail! Stir a tablespoon of chia seeds into a glass of water with a splash of pomegranate juice and a lime, or mixed into iced tea. The seeds won't dissolve, but you won't really feel or taste them. Keep a zip bag of chia seeds in your desk like I do, and simply mix into some oatmeal or into a high protein yogurt.
What makes chia an amazing appetite curber is that it absorbs up to 12 times its own weight and expands in your stomach like a sponge occupying more space. So adding just a tablespoon or so of chia seeds to your diet can help you eat less and lose weight. Love! One tablespoon has about 60 calories and 5 grams of fiber. Enjoy!
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