Add Chia to Lose Weight

4 minutes

Last update: 24 April, 2015

Chia: there’s a reason that it’s causing a stir. It’s a plant that’s packed with phenomenal nutritional benefits. But how do you add chia to lose weight? As a natural source of omega 3, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, it helps you burn fat in a way that is not detrimental to your well being. In fact, chia can be a boon to your health. To get the scoop, read on.

Don’t worry. Science is on your side. Recently, the British Journal of Nutrition published a report that showed chia’s ability to help you lose weight. Control is key. Never consume more than a tablespoon or 25 grams a day. We’ll take a closer in this article.

Why add chia to lose weight?

One of chia seeds’ astounding abilities is that it can accelerate metabolism, so it’s highly efficient at burning fat that has settled round the midriff. Chia is also packed with calcium, a mineral that helps you to digest the fats you may have consumed during the day. The seeds’ metabolism boosting prowess is especially good for helping to flatten your tummy.
The omega 3 in chia punches above its weight in fighting cellulitis and preventing premature ageing. What else? It’s even a great anti-inflammatory.
Chia keeps you satisfied, so it regulates your appetite. If you eat it regularly, it will stave off those hunger pangs by helping you to feel full and stop you eating more than you should.
The high fibre content of these seeds make them a friendly and safe way to regulate your intestinal passage by stimulating a lazy intestine. If you’re eating chia for this purpose, do ensure that you’re drinking enough water. 2 litres a day is optimal.
A study conducted at the University of Ohio showed that chia seeds fight against anxiety. Nutritionists recommend it as an effective relaxant and mood regulator.

Additional benefits of chia seeds

In the plant kingdom, chia is the best source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
It’s loaded with antioxidants, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre.
These seeds are gluten-free!
They have no flavour or aroma so lend themselves to all sorts of uses.
In the Mayan language, chia means ‘strength’ – and they’ll certainly give you energy.
A reduction in cholesterol and a healthy blood pressure are two ways chia can help.
Their consumption promotes good digestion.
They’ll help you look after your heart.
Muscle development and tissue regeneration are improved by eating chia seeds
Diabetics, rejoice! Chia helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Chia seeds are low in sodium.

Add chia seeds to your diet and shed pounds

Kickstart your weight loss by including 25 grams of chia a day in your diet.
Don’t give up. Be patient and consistent. After about a month, you’ll begin to see the weight shifting. Have a glass of water or juice just before your two main meals. Divide the suggested amount of 25 grams daily between these meals by putting 12.5 grams of seeds in one glass of water before your first meal and the remaining 12.5 grams in the other glass before your last meal.
Remember that chia is high in soluble fibre, so the seeds will absorb a lot of liquid. You’ll notice that water in your glass will become a thicker liquid. Leave it for 30 minutes. This reaction is a result of the soluble fibre in chia.
Chia seeds can be consumed with nut milks, yogurts, fruits, sauces, soups, vegetables – and just about anything else, really. Let your imagination run completely wild. It is especially good in sweet things, though, which is why it’s available in powdered form so that you can enjoy its benefits whilst eating homemade desserts!
Don’t forget to drink two litres of water every day. This expedites chia’s health-giving properties.

Great! Where can I buy some?

Increasingly, you can find chia seeds in supermarkets. If not, you will almost certainly be able to buy them at your local health food shop or specialist market. Wherever you do your shopping, it’s worth asking if they’ll stock them. Also note the importance of fresh, high-quality seeds. Make sure that you check the packaging for its ‘best before’ date.

Look out for whole chia seed as well as powdered chia – which, as previously mentioned, is great for adding texture to your salads or boosting the health of your homemade desserts. There really is a big, wide world of chia out there to explore and all of the options are good for you!