Making Progress with Chia Seeds

I introduced Chia seeds into my diet a few weeks ago and have had some positive results with more fully formed BM and less urgency. On the days I forget to have my tea I definitely notice a difference. 1 tbsp has almost 7g of fiber and is loaded with Omega-3s which can help with inflammation. I add 1-2 tbsp to hot peppermint tea & add some honey. Let the seeds sit for 10 minutes. The seeds form a gel coating as they sit in the hot water and they have a little crunch as you drink your tea. It fills you up and tastes great!

This is the brand I ordered from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Organic-Chia-Seeds-14-Ounce/dp/B003VXE46Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331155783&sr=8-2

http://blog.healthychoicenaturals.com/dr-oz-and-dr-weil-love-the-chia-seed/
"The truth is, chia seeds are actually good for you–we’re talking really good for you! In fact, they just may be one of the healthiest things around. Here’s why:
Nutty-tasting whole-grain chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food–even more than fresh blueberries. And they do good stuff for the body, like keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control. The chia seeds you get in a Chia Pet have not been approved as food by the FDA, so get yours from a health food store, or order some online. (Excerpt from realage.com)"

I am not sure who recommended chia seeds to me on this forum but THANK YOU!

I think I might order some of these. Thank you!!

Great news!

If you're ordering chia seeds, make sure they are organic.

Can/should you eat these if you are having bleeding?

We tried Chia. I wouldn't recommend them or any other seeds in a bad flare. They do form a gel but the seeds did scratch (we ground them as well) and caused a worsening. I'm too scared to try them again.

ahh, well, I guess Chia seeds aren't for me to try. I really try to stay on the Paleo diet and this is from the Dr. Cordain himself -- those following paleo know who he is.


For those of you who receive the weekly Paleo Diet, LLC, Newsletter, this summary will be nothing more than a refresher for you, as Dr. Cordain, just in last Friday's issue, discussed in detail why Chia Seeds, actually, are NOT a good food to have as part of our food options!

Here's a recap of what he said:

-"Chia Seeds contain antinutrients, so that once in your body, the available calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and manganese from chia seeds are poorly absorbed, hence making chia seeds a poor dietary source for these minerals."

-"Chia seed consumption may contain one or more antinutrients which may promote chronic low level inflammation."


-"In addition, it is possible that other antinutrients found in chia seeds may adversely affect gut tissue including saponins which cause a “leaky gut”. When this occurs, the gut contents may then have access to the immune system which in turn becomes activated thereby causing a chronic low level systemic inflammation."

Dr. Cordain sums up by stating, "Until further human studies are conducted, I would be cautious in recommending chia seeds for human consumption, particularly in people with food allergies or known autoimmune diseases."

So- keep the chia seeds for your Chia Pet (do they still sell those? : ) and OUT of your body!"


---well it might make some sense in my case because when all of this started for me I was eating so much flax seed that I thought I must be the healthiest person alive, little did I know that it was tearing up my gut.
J

I don't know who Dr. Cordain is but I've been consuming chia seeds for years with no problem. You can purchase them inexpensively at www.getchia.com

Sue

I just got 2 lbs packet of Chia seeds (not organic) from Costco for $8 or so. I haven't opened it yet as I am searching for recipes where I could make a breakfast using chia seeds, old fashioned oats and nuts.
May give a try to mum of 3's recipe. Sounds really good.

For antinutrients, you could easily soak up the seeds overnight to get rid of some, if they are really there. This is the first time I am reading about antinutrients in Chia Seeds (Read up on Soy and you would know what crap we are fed through Soy, its LOADED with antinutrients)

Here's a recipe for muffins made with Chia seeds; haven't tried it yet, but plan to this weekend.

Ingredients

1 tbsp ground chia seeds

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sweet potato purée

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce 

2 egg whites

1/2 cup agave syrup

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Mix together wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Scoop into muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350˚F

I had no idea that there was a 'controversy' over Chia Seeds. Yes, I use organic seeds and no, I don't grind them. I just let them soak in my hot tea for 10 minutes and then drink.

I have been taking 1-2 tbsp a day in my tea for the last month during a flare in addition to L-Glutamine, prednisone, cortifoam and mesalamine enemas. So far no bleeding in 10 days and only 1-2 formed BMs a day. This is a big change from 25+ bloody D in January. Not sure if one of these remedies is responsible or the combination of all of them together overtime but things are improving so I am happy :)))

How about, instead of eating chia seeds, eating fish like sardines or salmon for the omega-3 benefits?
J

At first I was hesitant about adding "seeds" to my diet when I was having a flare but I started slowly and tried only a small amount to see how I tolerated it. Of course, this may not work for everyone but some may want to try it.

I've been using chia seeds for a while now, without any problems.

I like it because it's does so much good: good source of protein, minerals, omega 3's, fiber as well.

I've been adding it straight to my protein shakes.

And then I also soak them overnight, and then slice them thin ( it's like the consistency of bread) and I flash fry it in some butter, toasting all sides - and add to it, depending on my mood and nutritional needs: himylian salt, or sugar, or drizzled chocolate on it.

It makes a great snack.

And my sweet little chocolate and tan mini-dachshund, loves to eat it too (only with a little salt) - she thinks I'm making it for her, haha...