Go Healthy: Eat Your Chia Pet? - Food News - Cooking

Go Healthy: Eat Your Chia!

No Comments | Written on February 22, 2012 at 1:00 pm, by Lesley Kennedy

courtesy Joseph Enterprises

Move over, flax — a new seed-based health-food craze is sprouting up: Ch-ch-ch-CHIA!

Say what!?

No, you should definitely not start eating the seeds off your Chia Pet, according to Today. But it turns out chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fats, and they’re quickly becoming a hot new trend. Chia seeds are cropping up in a whole range of health-food products (think energy bars, chips, cereal and crackers), and you can buy them on their own at Whole Foods and online at Walmart. Like ground flaxseed, chia seeds can be added to everything from yogurt to smoothies to batters.

“They are definitely making a quick transition to mainstream,” nutrition expert Joy Bauer tells Today. “They’re pretty much tasteless so you can’t go wrong. You can also make a great vegan egg substitute by combining 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water and letting it sit for about 10 minutes to gel up.”

(Does your breakfast also sprout a wild green mane?)

It’s ALA, a plant-based version of those good-for-you omega-3 fats, that makes chia seeds a healthy option, Bauer adds.

“These fats help fight inflammation in your joints, arteries, and all over your body,” she tells the news show. “And chia seeds are ultra rich in soluble fiber, which helps lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, promote regularity and control blood sugars.”

Can’t say that about many other gag gifts.