Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia:
What comes to your mind first when you hear the word chia? I bet you’re thinking of the grassy decorative pet-plant that was the star of those catchy infomercials over the past couple decades. What most people don’t know is that the same seeds that sprout fuzzy green hair for Chia Pets are also extremely nutritious. I tried my first chia seed drink after a yoga class. I looked into the fridge of drinks for sale and saw a number of natural juices. One specific product stood out because there were seeds floating inside the bottle. In the spirit of trying new things, I bought the drink. After one sip, I was hooked. Not only is it delicious, but chia seeds are also fun to drink. They are extremely water-soluble, so after being soaked in liquid, they will form a jellylike coating around the seed. After I got home from yoga, I researched the nutritional facts and food applications of the seeds.
The results of my research made me go out and buy the seeds the next day. Chia seeds are extremely helpful when it comes to hydrating your body. They help in weight loss by reducing cravings; they make you feel full faster; and they’re a good source of omega-3s, protein and fiber. The list of healthy reasons to consume chia seeds goes on and on. Chia seeds are commonly made into pudding; added to yogurt, oatmeal and smoothies; can be used as an egg substitute; and more.
I decided to experiment a little with the seeds and make my very own juices. I recommend you do the same! Play around with some of your favorite flavored drinks, and add chia seeds for a fun blast of nutrition.
For all the drinks:
- Add half a tablespoon of chia seeds to ⅓ cup of water.
- Stir gently and allow to sit for five minutes.
- Repeat step 2 once more, and then your chia seeds are ready to be added to drinks.
Orange-Chia-Ade
Add ⅓ cup freshly squeezed (store-bought if you don’t have it) orange juice to ⅔ cup seltzer water. Add ¼ cup of small chopped mango pieces. Add a packet of your preferred sweetener.
Kiwi Pink Chia Lemonade
Chop up half a kiwi into small pieces. Add to either homemade or store-bought pink or regular lemonade. Mint is a nice herb to add to this drink.
Ginger Citrus Chia Tea
Finely chop ⅛ cup of fresh ginger. Squeeze half a fresh lime and half a fresh orange into the drink. Add an extra 3 tablespoons lime juice. Add to a cup of tea.
Mix chia seeds with your drink, and it’s ready to be enjoyed. However, from experience, I like to chill my drinks for at least an hour in the fridge before consuming. The drinks can last in your fridge for up to two weeks in proper storage. Another quick tip — I like to store my drinks in bottles so that they’re easy to shake up before I sip.