Not long ago, I started seeing a new team of doctors who are not only prone to ordering tons of tests until they get to the bottom of things (like why I was getting worse, not better), but are also incredibly open-minded about treatment options, and heal through nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle changes in addition to conventional medicine.
One of the “prescriptions” I got was to eat more chia seeds, coconut oil, brazil nuts, and a few other natural food-based forms of supplementation – which is a welcome relief because I’d rather have an excuse to eat more snacks anyway. The coconut oil was no problem (because: chocolate), but I had a hard time finding ways to use chia seeds since I have never quite warmed up to chia pudding. But luckily, chia seeds are so much more than a base for pudding. In case you’re in the same boat or just bought too many chia seeds and need to use them up, here are 10 versatile ways to work these nutritional powerhouses into your diet:
#1) Add them to granola or granola bars
#2) Stir them into water with lemon, lime and mint (I know this sounds insane, but Lyfe Kitchen will make you a convert, and now I make it at home)
#3) Sneak them into banana or zucchini bread
#4) Use them to thicken homemade jam or fruit compote
#5) Sprinkle them on a pancake or waffle (they’ll stick to the syrup!)
#6) Use them to garnish a yogurt parfait or peanut butter toast for extra texture
#7) Add them to the blender or bowl when you’re making no-bake cookies and energy bites
#8) Or, really, why not add them to yes-bake cookies too?
#9) Throw them in with your smoothie ingredients (or these ingredients, or these)
#10) Use them as a vegan egg replacement by mixing 1 Tablespoon of ground chia and 2 Tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a bit to thicken before adding it to the batter.
Bonus #11) And, ok, I know I said I hate chia pudding but I LOVE rice pudding and chia would be a great addition to my favorite healthier rice pudding recipe
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
These are really great tips, Nora. I often shy away from using chia because I really don’t know how to incorporate them into my diet besides in smoothies, so I just kinda forget about them. I want to start eating more chia due to their health benefits too. It’s refreshing to hear doctors recommending superfoods for healing! Thank you for these tips, Nora!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Traci! I was the exact same way 🙂
Becky Winkler says
Cool! I have still never made anything with chia seeds. Maybe I’ll pick some up today!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
They’re super versatile, Becky! Hope you get to give them a try!
Chantelle |naked cuisine says
Yes bake cookies hehehe…I’ve been meaning to try making jam with these little powerhouse seeds and the water sounds and looks neat too!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
They work great in jam!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
What a helpful list, Nora! Thank you so much for sharing. And, yes…those brazil nuts. So full of magnesium and a rich source of selenium. I went through a phase last summer, when I was so sick and away from blogging (that allergy thing), munching away on brazil nuts. But, I need to incorporate more chia seeds into my diet, so I really appreciate this list!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Great! I’m so glad this will be helpful to you, Stacy! I hope you continue to feel better!
Monica says
Ingenius list of ways of incorporating chia seeds into your diet! Never thought chia seeds could be so versatile, but here you have it! (:
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Thanks, Monica! I begrudgingly admit that they do live up to the hype ;-P
Twila says
I’ve made brownies with ground chia seeds, and they were actually pretty good. I do like chia pudding and have made one that somewhat resembles tapioca that I really like. I usually add some blueberries before I eat it.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Oh brownies! Great idea! Did you use chia seeds in place of an egg, or in addition? Thanks for the blueberry idea. Maybe that will help me learn to like it better!?