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Chia Seed Information

Chia Seeds was used as a staple food by the Indians of the South West and Mexico for centuries. Known as the "running food", its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs.

The United States Food and Drug Administration regards Chia Seed as a food with an established history of safe consumption.

Chia Seed is a complete source of dietary protein, providing all the essential amino acids and is extremely rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Chia Seeds typically contain 20% protein, 34% oil, and 25% dietary fiber. Chia Seeds contain no gluten and only trace levels of sodium. There are no known toxic components of chia seed. Chia Seeds are superior in protein quality over wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, amaranth and soy. Chia Seeds also offer a disease-fighting arsenal of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin and flavonols.

Chia Seed provides fiber (2 tablespoons = 7 grams of fiber) as well as other important nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, niacin, and zinc.

The Chia Seed will absorb 9 times its weight in water in less than 10 minutes. Chia Seed offers the ability to prolong hydration due to its ability to hold on to water .

Using Chia Seeds - Preparing Chia Seeds

There are unlimited ways to incorporate Chia Seeds into your diet.  You can substitute Chia Seeds in any recipe that calls for flax seeds. You can sprinkle ground chia seeds or whole chia seeds on cereal, yogurt, or salads; eat a handful of whole seeds as a snack. Ground chia seed can be mixed with flour when making muffins, cakes or other baked goods.

The easiest way to incorporate Chia Seed into your diet is to use it as a garnish. Simply sprinkle ¼ - 1 teaspoon of whole seeds into foods.

You can also add one tablespoon Chia Seed into an eight-ounce glass of water or juice, stir to break up any lumps, let sit about five minutes, stir again, and then drink.

Chia Gel

You can also use Chia Seed to make a gel, which can be added to milkshakes, spreads, smoothies, hot or cold cereals, yogurts, etc. You can mix the chia gel up to 50/50 with all kinds of foods, thereby increasing flavor, fiber, and nutrition, while reducing calories and fat.Chia gel can be used as a fat replacer for many recipes. One pound of Chia Seed will make about 10 pounds of Chia gel. Chia gel will keep up to 2 weeks stored in the refrigerator.

Chia Seeds, Chia Meal, Chia Flour, and Chia Oil may be purchased from Hidalgo Foods. Please visit their website at www.HidalgoFoods.com