How much chia can I safely eat?
And... how to prepare?

Question

I generally prepare my chia seeds by putting 1-2 tablespoons in half to three quarters of a cup of water, putting that in the microwave for 30 seconds (warm water turns them to gel quicker) then drinking that or adding it to something, for instance, a Atkins shake when I'm trying to lose weight.

I'm hoping the chia will give me a full feeling quicker and I like the texture added to almost any food. At 70 calories per tablespoon it seems a good deal.

I’m wondering if it matters that I microwave the seeds in water, in terms of nutritive value.

Also how much can I eat in a day? In terms of texture added, I’d like at least 2-3 tablespoons added to my Atkins. What if I ended up eating 9-10 tablespoons a day? Would that be bad?

Also wherever I go I see the same information saying chia can be addicting. Nowhere does it say what this means medically. Any idea?

Thanks,
Al


Answer

Hi Al,

Thanks for asking all your questions. Some I'll answer here but some will be answered in my new e-book on chia. It will be coming out very soon.

Microwaving Chia Seeds in Water - Does it Harm the Nutrients?

I've read a lot about microwave ovens and their affect on food over the years. Some say there is no bad affects and others say there are. I made my decision not to use a microwave on my food when they first came out. But you have to be the judge here.

I just did a little research and came up with some information I didn't know before which you may be interested in. There was extensive research done on microwave foods by Russia after World War II. Their results indicated that carcinogenic substances resulted in the foods that had been microwaved.

"Structural degradation leading to decreased food value was found to be 60 to 90 percent overall for all foods tested, with significant decreases in bioavailability of B complex vitamins, vitamins C and E, essential minerals, and lipotropics" Reference: Natural Society

From what I know about the activity of microwaves on water - it seems to speed up the activity of the molecules causing a dispersal. The water in the chia gel is actually integrated with the micro fiber extending out from the seed.

What I believe is this - the gel is structured in a natural form that helps to hydrate the body. I personally do not want to take a chance on changing that structure with microwaves. As for the seeds themselves, even as little as 30 seconds may be too much, in my opinion.

My suggestion to you - do a little more research on the effects of microwaving food and water and feel confident that you will make the right decision for you. My personal opinion is not enough for you to go by. It's the results you are looking for that will tell you.

Is it Bad to Eat 9 to 10 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds a Day?

This has been a difficult question to answer. I've been doing extensive research on this and am about to publish an e-book that should give you some good insight.

How much can a person eat a day isn't as simple as I first thought. I'm excited to be able to provide this information very soon in my new e-book.


Is Chia Addicting?

I'm not sure addicting is the right word for it. And...since I am not a medical doctor, I'm not able to provide an answer for you with a medical view.

But... here's what I usually consider when I find myself eating a lot of one food.

1. My body was low on some nutrients the food contained and it takes awhile to satisfy the need, so I eat a particular food every day for a month or more, even years.


2. If I begin to increase a food after eating it every day for over three months, I find I'm may not be eating enough variety and I need to find more foods that compliment the one I'm eating a lot of.

If you have more energy, clearer minded, happier and productive, you've probably found a good food that supports a healthy life.

One thing about food, you are the best one to judge what you need. Observe what a little does and increase or decrease as you feel what's right. If you start craving more and more of a food after eating it continually for more than three months, you might look at #2 above and see if that could apply.

An addiction to foods may not really be correct unless there are ingredients added to the foods that are not truly foods that cause the cravings.

Thanks for asking your great questions and be sure to sign up for my My Blog Updates if you want to be notified when my e-book about chia comes out.

- Janis