The Single Diet Fix for Super Natural Energy

October 16, 2012
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

86500911The ancient seed that outperforms modern-day superfoods.

The Aztecs, Mayans, and Native Americans all shared a “secret food of the gods.” It was the tiny chia seed—a real superfood by today’s standards. In terms of antioxidant value, this super seed packs more of a nutritional punch than acai, pomegranate, artichoke, or blueberries. No wonder the fearless Aztecs could subsist on just a couple of handfuls during their mile long treks as they conquered Central America!

Energize, Halt Hunger, and Get Moving with Chia
Today, there’s a lot more we know about this legendary super seed. For one thing, it is a complete source of vegetarian protein providing all the necessary amino acids to fuel muscles and build up tissue strength.

Chia seeds are extremely nutrient dense, containing nearly 50 energizing nutrients in one small seed. They are gluten-free and very abundant in vitamin C, protein, minerals, essential fatty acids, and fiber. The soluble fiber content of chia—about 11 grams in just one ounce, to be exact—is more than one third of the USDA recommended daily amount. Chia makes you feel full for hours and can absorb more than 10 times its volume in water so that you can fill up on fewer calories!

It is also a magic bullet for regulating the bowels and can start to work in just one day. Whether you are constipated or too loose, chia can balance all types of gut grief and calm your colon.

And if that weren’t enough good news, one ounce of chia yields about 5 grams of omega-3s, making it the highest source of omega-3s gram to gram of any of the omega-3 rich foods—including flaxseed and salmon. We all know by now how vital omega-3 is in supporting healthy cardiovascular function. In fact, research at the University of Arizona finds that chia lowers triglyceride levels and raises healthy (HDL) cholesterol levels. Most interesting of all for you “waist watchers,” a study in the British Journal of Medicine shows that the omega-3 fats in chia reduce belly fat.

The Mineral Rich Wonder
What most impresses me about chia is that it’s an all-in-one source of minerals, Mother Nature’s natural enzyme co-factors. Just one ounce will give you nearly 200 mg of calcium—making this the highest vegetable source of this macro mineral—easily trumping 1 cup of whole milk, which is allergenic to half the world’s population. And that’s not all. Chia is loaded with magnesium, potassium, and zinc!

The 21st Century Wonder Food
After searching world wide for the highest quality chia, I asked my official distributor to make this available to my Fat Flush readers. The result: UNI KEY’s Whole Chia Seeds—which has the NSRI Seal of Approval. This certification guarantees that the chia is grown under the highest safety and purity standards, with complete traceability. The harvesting and cleaning process assures both you and your family of a 99.8% pure product.

Since chia doesn’t need to be refrigerated or ground up to release their spectacular nutritional benefits, they are one of the best foods to stock up in case of any natural disaster—because like the ancient Aztecs, you cannot just survive, but thrive on them.

I recommend at least two to three tablespoons per day. Some people need even more, like four tablespoons per day. Add them to your smoothies (right at the end so they don’t bulk up your blender), as well as soups, stews, dressings, eggs, and veggies.

This is one ancient secret you will want to share with everyone who deserves the perfect food.

Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
Get the Sugar Out
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=649276
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21183832
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18492301
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17356263

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

15 Comments

  1. Lori Taylor

    I am following the Fat Flush program, but not sure if it is 1/2 cup of fruit (berries) in the mornig smoothie or 1 cup. I am unclear as of the wording for the daily alotment. Can you clarify for me please.
    Thanks
    lori

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Hi Lori!
      You can have 2 servings of approved fruit per day, so 1 cup of berries per shake works great, or you could do a half cup in each smoothie and enjoy a small apple or half a grapefruit, for example.

      Reply
  2. cindy

    Chia seeds should only be eaten unsoaked if one has loose bowels as they absorb liquid from the colon. otherwise, soaking for a half hour is important.

    Reply
  3. Deborah

    I love the energizing feel that I receive from adding Chia seeds to my smoothie! But, what about the drinks that I’m seeing on the grocery store shelf? One that I have is called Drink Chia Omega-3 Superfood. It has 4g of sugar, 40 calories, and 880 mg of Omega-3, in 8 ounces.

    Reply
    • Sierra

      If you’re following the Fat Flush Plan, I recommend making your own beverages! Try the Long Life Cocktail using chia instead of flax 🙂

      Reply
      • Ngaire

        Hi Sierra, what measurements of chia seeds do you use for the long life cocktail? Thanks

        Reply
        • Team ALG

          Ngaire, You use 1 Tbs of chia seeds in an 8 oz glass of cranwater for the Long Life Cocktail. People put the chia seeds in their smoothies now. The New Fat Flush Plan doesn’t include the Long Life Cocktail. You may wish to pick up a copy of the new book to have the latest information and get the best results on the plan.

          Reply
  4. leafpeeper

    it is one cup of berries per smoothie. I typically use 1/2 cup fresh and 1/2 cup frozen if two different types of berries just for variety and to eat seasonally. Enjoy!

    Reply
  5. Shirley

    I have used the Fat Flush Plan in the past but when Fat Flush for Life came out I purchased the chia seed. I tried to follow the protocol but I seemed to experience an upset stomach from the product. It’s been some time since I tried it because I really felt bad. I wonder if any others have reacted to it in this way or wondered if it reacted with other foods or even supplements. I am currently on the original phase 1 of fat flush plan. I would like to try the chia again. Any advice or suggestions?

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Hi Shirley!
      Sorry to hear that you’ve had trouble with chia in the past! Are you by any chance sensitive to mint? They are in the same family, so as far as allergies go, that’s the only thing I can come up with.
      Mint aside, if you have experienced digestive upset from chia seeds, you may wish to start with a small amount (say 1 teaspoon) in your smoothie. I also recommend using the seeds whole- blend up your smoothie, pour it in your glass, and then stir in the chia seeds so they don’t get all chopped up.
      I really hope they can work for you, I absolutely love them 🙂

      Reply
      • Shirley

        Hi Sierra
        Thank you for your response , it is so refreshing to be able to receive a personal answer.
        In regards to your response, I actually love mint and it agrees with me fine. That said, thinking back, the seed did not seem to bother me at the start but with time I began to notice the stomach upset. I think I will give it a try again and if not I know I can rely on the flax.

        Reply
  6. Zee

    Hello,
    Do the chia seeds lose any of the nutritional value when cooked or heated? I was drinking them in my coffee and would like to add them to hot foods (soups, etc) for my family. But I know some things do lose their values and I don’t want to do the same with the chia seeds.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • liz

      You can add them to hot foods and cook with them.

      Reply
  7. Jackie

    I have been so anxious to try chia seeds but do have a concern. I had a large kidney
    stone removed by surgery over a year ago and I’m now doing fine but the lists of foods
    to avoid include seeds and nuts for my condition. Would chia seeds be included in
    the list? If they are put in a smoothie would they soften enough so as not to be a
    problem for my condition.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Hi Jackie! I guess that would depend on why in particular you were told to avoid nuts and seeds? I’ve heard of that before with diverticulitis, but that’s much different than anything related to kidney stones. Because I don’t know the reasoning, I can’t say yes or no for sure… do write back with more information if you like!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This