Chia seeds are incredibly versatile – Since they don’t have much of a flavour and their texture can range anywhere from crunchy to jelly, there isn’t much you can’t add this wonderful little superfood to. That said, everyone has their own personal palate and preferences; here’s a handy list that should have at least one thing on it for everyone (but probably more) so that you can start getting the benefits of chia seeds as soon as today.
Breakfast
Rise And Shine Vegan Lemon Chia Seed Scones
You don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate the flavour of these amazing scones. They’re absolutely perfect as a breakfast food, or can be taken with you to work or school and eaten whenever you’re beginning to feel a little peckish. They’re an especially great choice for anyone that adores scones but has been avoiding them like the plague because they carry less fat and half the calories of their commercial counterparts (and the addition of chia seeds makes them super healthy, of course).
Recipe: BeginWithin Nutrition
Honey Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
If you’re someone who prefers eating muffins over scones, this is a recipe that you’re most certainly going to want to make! The honey and lemon are an absolutely perfect combination, and the addition of chia seeds will kind of remind you of a lemon poppy seed bagel (except these are so much better!). They taste best when they first come out of the oven, but they’re still good if your only option is to pack one in your purse and eat it later.
Recipe: Gather & Dine
Healthy Chia Seed And Apple Waffles
Although apples aren’t really in season any more, they’re still super easy to get any time of year (and they pack quite a nutritional punch themselves). What I like best about this recipe is that it’s easily adaptable (and can be made even healthier with just a little bit of creativity) – As long as what you throw in your waffle iron looks like waffle batter when it goes it, you’ll get a healthy and nutritious breakfast (or snack) every time.
Recipe: Piquey Eater
No Cook Overnight Chia Seed Oatmeal
This may not be your traditional oatmeal (although if you desire and make stick to your ribs warm oatmeal during these winter months, by all means add in some chia seeds to that as well), but it will definitely keep you just as full as the stuff your mother used to make when you were little. The great thing about oatmeal is that it can be combined in a virtually infinite amount of ways – Experiment with all of the different things you like until you find a combination (or a few) that works for you.
Recipe: The Little Epicurean
Tropical Smoothies
Smoothies are another one of those things that can easily be tailored to your individual tastes, so feel free to alter this recipe any way you’d like (Personally I like my smoothies made with blueberries, watermelon, and coconut milk) – Just remember to add the chia seeds to ensure that you’ll stay completely satiated all the way through till lunchtime.
Recipe: Around My Family Table
Lunch
Chocolate Chia Smoothie
Not only does this recipe taste amazing, but it takes less than three minutes to put together (which is absolutely perfect. Is it just me, or do lunch breaks seem to feel shorter than ever despite not actually being any shorter?). If you’re someone that experienced fatigue in the middle of the day, this smoothie might just be the answer to making sure that you have no problem staying energized until it’s time to head home.
Recipe: Gimme Some Oven
Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars
Chocolate is totally and acceptable lunchtime ingredient (just as long as it’s the right kind, of course), especially when it’s paired with a bunch of other foods that have awesome nutritional balance. Do I suggest eating an entire batch of these to yourself? Not exactly, but I can’t promise that it’s not going to happen, either. Hey, at the very least it’s healthier than eating an entire box of the processed junk that you get at the grocery store.
Recipe: Fabtastic Eats
Nutella Energy Bites
These are great to have on hand just about any time – They’re no bake and they make a perfect snack for your lunchtime and/or for your trip to the gym after you’ve clocked out the day. Protip: If you’re not a fan of Nutella (not everyone is, and there are certainly much healthier choices out there), feel free to substitute with any other type of nut butter instead.
Recipe: Gimme Some Oven
Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Cups
You may have a semi hard time finding rhubarb at this time of year (unless you followed our advice of freezing produce back in August), but it’s definitely still worth putting on the list so that you can make it for your lunches next summer. This recipe layers the sweet and sour fruits over a creamy lemon chia pudding – The taste is complex, layered, and absolutely to die for!
Recipe: Kitchen Konfidence
Superfood Gluten Free Quinoa Bread
This is a bread that packs a fierce nutritional punch like no other – Quinoa and chia seeds together are a super way to get your protein if you’re not a meat eater, but even if you are I assure you that you’ll absolutely love the way you feel after you eat this bread! The texture may take a little getting used to if you usually eat commercial white breads, but the way you’ll feel once you adjust will definitely be worth it.
Recipe: Naturally Sassy
Chocolate Power Water
This is probably going to be less of your lunchtime staple, and more of something to sip on at the end of the day but it’s still definitely worth mentioning. I would even go as far as saying this would be really great as a sports drink (at the very least, it’s certainly a much better choice than Gatorade). It’s grain free, dairy free, gluten free, and vegan friendly – There’s almost no diet in the world that wouldn’t accept this drink.
Recipe: Healthful Pursuit
Dinner
Chia Seed Pork Meatballs With Spicy Ginger Soy Glaze
Chia seeds may not seem like the first thing you’d reach for when you’re making your meatballs, but I promise that once you try it you’ll never go back to using those dry breadcrumbs again. The ginger soy glaze gives these meatballs an Asian inspired taste – They’re absolutely perfect served on a bed of rice with some stir fries vegetables (Also these meatballs were featured on Dr. Oz. Who doesn’t love Dr. Oz?).
Recipe: Domesticate Me
Healthy Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
Who doesn’t love wonderfully breaded chunks of chicken? Thing is, most of the chicken nuggets that you purchase off of most grocery store shelves are chalked full of antibiotics and other chemicals. This recipe uses grass fed chicken, a mixture of flax and chia seeds, and a whole bunch of herbs and spices – Even if you’re not a huge fan of chicken nuggets, you’re very likely going to absolutely love these!
Recipe: Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Gluten Free Chia Dinner Rolls
Are you a part of a family that basically demands bread or rolls with every dinner? If you answered yes, then you’re going to absolutely love these dinner rolls. In addition to being gluten free, they don’t have any dairy or egg in them either which makes them perfect for just about everyone at the dinner table, even if they’re currently on a diet (They’d also be a great addition to any healthy Thanksgiving meal).
Recipe: Meaningful Eats
Berry Almond Salad With Chia Seed Vinaigrette
Sometimes you’re not feeling very hungry and all you want for dinner is a salad. This is a perfect choice for when those instances strike you – It’s absolutely loaded with all kinds of nutrients that your body needs to function properly, and the taste is unlike any other salad you’ve had. Not a fan of the ingredients? That’s what’s so great about salad – They can be tailored to suit your own individual needs.
Recipe: Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Cauliflower And Chickpea Patties With Chia Seeds
This is an absolutely perfect recipe if you’re a vegetarian because these awesome little patties are not only full of nutrients, but they’re also packed full of flavour (and can be flavoured to suit your own individual tastes if you’re feeling a little creative the next time you’re in the kitchen). They’re great as a side dish, but can also be a main depending on what else you serve it with (I recommend a salad). Note: You have to scroll towards the bottom to get the English version of this recipe.
Recipe: Crumpets & Co
Roasted Chia Cauliflower
Love cauliflower but not a fan of eating it in patty form like in the recipe above? Then this is the dinner for you – The addition of chia seeds to a traditional roasted cauliflower adds a much invited crush and dimension to the dish and definitely takes it to the next level. Again, this can be eaten as a side dish, but it also makes for an incredible main course as well.
Recipe: Oh My Veggies
Roast Beetroot Garlic, And Chia Seed Tart
It’s fall still, which means that beets are still relatively abundant – That makes this a super seasonal, tasty, and nutritious dish that’s perfect for serving up any day of the week (and would even make a terrific Sunday dinner with a couple of additions). Tarts are another thing that can be catered to your tastes, and any fall vegetable would be an incredible addition to this dish.
Recipe: I Quit Sugar
Snacks
Mocha Chocolate Chunk Chia Seed Brownies
Who says you can’t have brownies if you’re trying to watch your waistline? These amazing tasting brownies are low carb as well as sugar and gluten free. They’re a perfect healthy treat that can be eaten absolutely any time of the day (I may or may not have had one for breakfast this morning myself).
Recipe: All Day I Dream About Food
Carrot Cake Chia Pudding
Carrot cake is another incredibly seasonal treat, but many versions come absolutely loaded with sugars (and some have very little vegetables incorporated into them). This version is vegan friendly, gluten free, and has two serving of vegetables in each serving – Now that’s what I call a healthy treat!
Recipe: Kiss My Broccoli
Raw Chocolate Cashew Cups With Maca And Chia Seeds
I used to be ever so slightly addicted to those Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups, but I knew I had to give them up because they weren’t any good for me. I’ve almost completely replaced my obsession with them for these – Don’t get me wrong, they don’t taste at all the same. However the taste they do pack is divine, and you get a little bit of an energy boost when you consume a couple at a time (which you will, I promise).
Recipe: Green Spirit Adventures
Dirt Cake Chia Seed Pudding
Remember making (and absolutely loving) dirt cake when you were a kid? Well this recipe takes that nostalgia and turns it into something that’s not too far off in taste, and is much better for you. It’s chocolatey, creamy wonderfulness in a mug and you need to go make yourself some right now. Trust me.
Recipe: Imma Eat That
Vanilla Granola With Quinoa And Chia Seeds
Granola is a wonderful snack that can be packed up, taken with you, and eaten just about anywhere. This vanilla granola is good for you, tastes amazing, and is guaranteed to be a hit even with you picky children because it’s just sweet enough (as long as you don’t happen to mention to them that it’s healthy, because why in the world would they want to eat it then?).
Recipe: Mayhem In The Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Chia Oat Cookies
These are perfect for anyone that loves soft chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth. I promise you that after you make these just one time, you’ll never be interested in the commercial chocolate chip cookies ever again. They’re also a super easy, great, and handy snack to toss in your kid’s lunches during the week – The protein in them will keep them full until it’s time for their after school snack.
Recipe: It Bakes Me Happy
You now officially have a recipe that can be worked into just about any part of your day, so now there’s absolutely no excuse whatsoever to not incorporate these magical little seeds into your diet!
If you eat chia seeds, what are some of your personal favourite recipes? Let us know in the comments section!
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The post 24 Easy Ways To Add Chia Seeds Into Your Diet appeared first on e-Health101.