Functional foods are touted to offer advantages past their nutritional worth, comparable to decreasing cholesterol or bettering gut health. Not only listed as such, chia seeds are also used as a useful ingredient, added to much less nutritious gadgets like baked pastries and snacks, to enhance their attraction to health-acutely aware consumers. Health claims about chia seeds include lowering appetite and weight, decreasing triglycerides, and enhancing blood sugar levels in kind 2 diabetes. Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica L., and have been at one time a serious food crop in Mexico and Guatemala. Cultivated as a food source as early as 3500 BC, it was offered to Aztec gods in religious ceremonies. Two tablespoons of chia seeds (1 ounce or 28 grams) comprise about 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, 7 grams of unsaturated fats, 18% RDA for calcium, and hint minerals including zinc and copper.
Store in refrigerator for up to one week. Add to smoothies and soups to spice up nutrient worth and create a thicker, extra satisfying consistency. Chia Pudding: To make a dessert variation, mix ¼ cup of seeds with one cup of liquid akin to milk (almond, soy, or dairy all work) or 100% fruit juice. Allow to sit down for at least quarter-hour refrigerated. Add nuts, chopped fresh fruit, or cinnamon if desired. Chia Sprouts: Place chia seeds in a single layer (use only a few teaspoon to permit sufficient space to grow) in a terracotta saucer or unglazed clay dish. Spray the seeds with water a number of times and canopy with plastic wrap or a transparent glass dish. Put in a sunny spot. Spray morning and evening till inexperienced sprouts seem, about 3-7 days. Use these microgreens to garnish salads and sandwiches. Egg Replacer: This may be used to substitute complete eggs in baking.
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