When you think of chia, what comes to mind? If you think of your little green pet from childhood, you’re not alone. But the very seeds that made that bit of fun possible are pretty impressive even if you never let them sprout. 

See, “chia” is the Mayan word for strength. And the name is apt. For centuries, humans have been using these tiny seeds for their nutritional benefits. 

The small-but-mighty nutritional powerhouse

The crazy thing about chia seeds is how much nutritional density they pack into a tiny, tiny space, all with minimal calories. In just one ounce of chia seeds, you get:

• Almost 5 grams of protein
• Over 11 grams of fiber
• A quarter of your daily magnesium, manganese, and phosphorous
• 5 grams of omega-3s
• Tons of antioxidants

Yep, they pack a punch. It’s no surprise they’ve been linked to heart health, reduced inflammation, weight loss, bone strength, and healthy blood sugar levels. 

How to eat chia seeds

The tricky thing about chia seeds is actually consuming them. They’re so small, you can hardly munch them by the handful. And we don’t even know if you’d want to since they don’t taste like much. 

Instead, one of our favorite ways to eat them is to make a chia seed pudding. (If you like tapioca, you’ll love this.) Just mix a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds with a half cup of the milk of your choice (non-dairy is great). Then add any flavorings you like. We recommend cocoa powder, honey, and/or vanilla. Mix it together and let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have an easy, hyper-nutritious grab and go breakfast. You can also top it with fruit or nut butter if you want some extra texture. 

In a hurry? Sprinkle chia seeds on top of your salad or cereal. You’ll get a health boost you probably don’t even notice eating. 

The chia seed may be small, but it’s powerful. Don’t sleep on its nutritional benefits.