When it comes to you and your family’s health there is no such thing as a stupid or inconvenient questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for please drop me an email, john@chiaseeds.com.au
There’s a lot of information about chia seeds out there now. I’ve listed a few I have received that are important for the first time user or anyone wanting to learn a little more. If you don’t see the answers to your questions please feel free to email me at, me@johnthechiaguy.com
Q: Do I need to grind the chia seeds before I eat them?
A: No you don’t. We have seen some websites stating you need to however this is not true. Chia seeds are one of the few seeds that our body can breakdown without needing to grind them. However you may choose to do so but there’s a way to do it to insure you’re not damaging any of the nutrients. Storing your chia seeds in the freezer will lessen the heat generated during milling. A counter top type coffee grinder works the best using short bursts until you achieve the consistency you want.
Q: Are there any side effects from eating chia seeds?
A: This is another question that I have seen the wrong answer being given. There are no known side effects however some people should take them differently than others like those with IBS, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or Crohn’s disease. Anyone with a sensitive bowel problems should start off with small amounts to get your system adjusted to the higher fibre that chia contains. We are always available to assist you take the chia seeds correctly.
Q: Are there any problems with taking chia seeds and medications?
A: If you are on ANY medication you should always consult with your Doctor before starting anything new in your diet. The only problem we have come across is people taking blood thinners like Warfarin, also known under the brand names Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan, Lawarin, and Waran. Because the high omega 3 found in chia seeds is a natural blood thinner you should discuss adding chia seeds to your diet with your Doctor if you are taking any blood thinning medications. Should your Doctor require any further information on chia seeds we are always available to talk with your Health Care Provider to assist them in understanding the chia seeds many benefits.
Q: Is the protein in chia seeds gluten-free?
A: Yes, unlike most other grains chia seeds are naturally gluten-free.
Q: I like how using chia seeds give me more energy but I don’t like drinking the gel. Do I have to wait for it to turn to a gel before drinking it?
A: No, however you should! You can drink the seeds right down before they turn to a gel but that would be difficult to do because they float and require mixing as soo as you place them in fluid. Since they absorb 26 times their weight in water it is best to hydrate them, in this form they will keep you hydrated longer.
Q: Can I eat the seeds plain without water?
A NO: It’s not advisable even if you drink plenty of water with the seeds and take small amounts there are several other ways to consume chia. Chia seeds absorb 26 times their weight in water so they can soak up the water from your system and cause you to dehydrate. Prevent this by drinking lots of water.
Q: How does chia seeds protein compare to soy protein?
A: Comparisons can only be made between the two as a whole seed. On the amino acid score soy gets a 118 and chia gets a 115 so both are a complete protein.
Q: What is the recommended dose for chia seeds?
A: Chia is not a supplement it is a food so there is no dose amount, however the amount you consume will vary on why you use it – i.e. for arthritis or memory or energy.
10 grams a day will give a person who already eats a healthy diet the added omega-3 to help balance out their intake of omega-6.
10 to 15 grams per day will help with the aches and pains and also give the right amount to the training athlete. Since we are all different we suggest starting out with around 10 grams (a tablespoon) then adjusting how much you use after about 3 to 4 weeks.
Q: How will chia seeds help me lose weight?
A: Using chia seeds in a weight loss program helps in a number of ways. Slowing the conversion of carbs to sugars is one and the energy it gives to aid in exercising is another. Chia seeds also give your body the nutrition it needs unlike most diets that starve you. You can also use chia gel to reduce calories in what you eat.
Q: What’s the difference between the omega-3 in fish oil and chia seeds?
A: In fish oil the fish has eaten a diet rich in DHA and EPA. These are 2 metabolites of alpha-linolenic acid that humans convert in the body. The benefit of chia is that it’s loaded in antioxidants and polyphenols that preserve the omega-3 and keep them from going rancid.
Our body converts the alpha-linolenic to EPA, DPA and DHA, the omega-3 found in fish and algae supplements. Chia seeds are also a renewable source for the omega-3s we need and we know what’s in it without worrying about heavy metals like mercury. One of the other reasons for using chia rather than fish oil is we’re saving the fish and chia also has no fishy after taste or the dreaded fish oil burps! Note: Just because fish oil comes from a fish it does not mean it should smell or taste like fish. When omega 3 oxidizes it gives off a fishy smell and flavour which means it has gone rancid and is doing more harm than good. All omega 3 will have this fishy smell and taste when it goes rancid. Just nature’s way of letting us know it’s gone “off”. Omega 3 is very sensitive to heat and oxygen both of which we have in our bodies, the omega 3 in chia seeds is heat tolerant up to 180°C or 356°F and the high antioxidants and polyphenols protect it from oxidizing in our system which is why people feel chia working when they use it correctly.
Q: Should I stop taking fish oil while I’m using chia?
A: This will depend on your diet and why you take fish oil. We need to balance out our omega-6 to omega-3 ratio from what the standard western diet is now, around 25:1. We need to get these 2 omegas balanced to 1:1. Fish oil has only omega-3 and chia seeds have omega-3 (64%) and omega-6 (20%). The best way to take fish oil is by eating the fish and not from a pill. When we take nutrients in pill form our body doesn’t recognise it as a food and most of it gets pushed through our body, you can see this when you take a multi-vitamin and your urine turns bright yellow or orange colour, your body is getting rid of up to 80% not counting what has been destroyed by our stomach acids.
If you already eat healthily you can stop the fish oil as long as you discuss this with your health care practitioner. Using 10g to 15g a day of chia seeds will give you the omega-3 you need to notice it working in your body. Remember our body converts the plant based omega-3 to the long chain omega-3 DHA and EPA that the fish has already consumed from their diet.
Q: I’ve read that the white seeds are superior to the dark seeds. What’s the difference?
A: They are both chia seeds from the salvia hispanica plant with the white seeds producing white flowers when grown and the dark seeds producing purple flowers. The difference in nutrition is the dark has more protein than white and the white seeds have more linolenic acid (omega-3) than dark seeds. These differences are very slight amounting to less than 1 or 2 points in each protein and omega-3. The main reason for using the black over the white is the black chia seeds contain more of the antioxidants that protect the essential fatty acids and other vital nutrients.