Have you heard of chia? You might remember Chia Pets, the cute little terracotta figurines you smear with seeds to help them grow “fur.” These are the same seeds, but don’t pilfer your pet’s stash—those seeds aren’t consumption grade. The ancient seeds are actually packed with rich nutrients. Chia seeds are a genus of the mint family, originating in Mexico’s central valley and were widely cultivated by Aztec cultures in pre-Hispanic times. Chia seeds were often used as currency for tax payments to nobility and as offerings for the Priesthood. They’re so nutritious that one tablespoon of seeds was believed to sustain an individual for twenty-four hours!
Chia is gluten-free, with very high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids (ALA), significant levels of antioxidants, dietary fiber, oil, protein, calcium, phosphorous, and potassium. You might be more familiar with flax seeds, another good vegetarian source of omega-3’s. Why would a person choose chia over flax, you ask? Chia actually has a slightly higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than flax. Another advantage of chia over flax is that chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don’t deteriorate, so they can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, chia doesn’t have to be ground to make its nutrients available to the body.
Another big reason to choose chia over flax is phytoestrogens. Are your eyes glazing over? Stick with me here! Those of you who are living with breast cancer probably are already aware of phytoestrogens—they’re plant-based estrogens that may or may not mimic the natural estrogens in our body and therefore raise our estrogen levels. You can also find them in soy, which is why a lot of women who’ve had breast cancer avoid or limit their soy consumption. Whether or not phytoestrogens raise your natural estrogen levels is still controversial, and there are differing opinions from reputable sources. So what’s the best alternative? Chia seed. Chia contains no phytoestrogens. And since it’s just as good, if not better source of ALA, why not use chia instead?
