Find out what chia seeds can do for your health and how to create a clean eating pudding. 

Almost overnight, chia seeds have gained over-whelming popularity in the health community. Are they worth all the hype? Yes. Chia seeds are packed full of health benefits and can be used to make some wonderful snacks. This powerful ancient food source is packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Just three tablespoons of chia seeds contains as much omega-3’s as 32 ounces of salmon. They provide all the benefits of fish oil supplements without the fishy after taste. Chia seeds can also be ground into flour and used in recipes to as a gluten free substitute. Look for them in health food stores, or purchase them online. I recommend the Bob’s Red Mill Chia Seeds found on Amazon. You get a good deal for the amount you’re buying.

A great cookbook to get is The Chia Seed Cookbook. It’s got tons of recipes to help add chia to your diet.

Consume four tablespoons daily which will give you 14 grams of fiber, eight grams of protein, and ten grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Try adding it to your smoothies, oatmeal, and Greek yogurt. For something a little quirky, try the pudding recipe listed below.

Chia Seed Pudding

The Basic Recipe

• 2 cups milk (almond or soy)
• ½ cup chia seeds
• Sweetener to taste (honey, maple syrup, or agave)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Whisk together all ingredients and refrigerate for four hours, stirring once halfway through. You can add cocoa powder to the whisked mixture for a chocolate pudding or add fresh fruits for a topping.