The ancient Chia seed has been touted as a new super-food and the most nutritious food crop in the world by nutritionists. With unprecedented global demands in the health food market, farmers from the Kimberley region in Australia’s top west are ripping up their dying sugarcane crops to plant this popular new crop, Chia.
Due to Australia’s unrelenting drought problems, many sugarcane farms and processing centers have closed down. However, when farmers opt to replace sugar for chia, they have found they have improved the sustainability of the land both economically and environmentally, as Chia needs less water and less pesticide. In the health food industry, Chia’s demand is booming, as people are seeking a cheaper way to achieve health through natural means, such as a healthy diet, without the use of synthetically produced vitamins and minerals.
Chia originated in South America, and this seed was enjoyed as a nutritional food for both Mayans and Aztecs. They referred to it as their “running food” as it gave them endurance, energy and strength. Like the birthplace of Chia, The Kimberley region of Australia lies precisely 15 degrees south of the equator. The warm and dry weather makes it a prime location for growing Chia, in fact Australia is now the largest supplier on the global market.
So why has this forgotten seed of the ancients been suddenly singled out for a revival?
The answer lies in its impressive nutritional profile. For one, it has the highest levels of omega 3 and 6 of all vegetable sources; one tablespoon is all you need to meet your daily requirements. Omega 3 works like a preventative for stroke and heart disease. It is also known to optimize cognitive brain function, and aid growth and development in children.
Chia also contains high levels of both types of fiber. The first type, insoluble fiber, works by cleaning you out from the inside, making you regular; this helps you feel less bloated and sluggish. Insoluble fiber makes you feel full for longer, helping to curb your cravings and maintain a healthy weight or lose some excess pounds around the middle. Like caffeine, chia also contains a thermogenic aid which fastens one’s metabolism, but without the nasty side effects. Coupled with a balanced diet, this is another way it may assist in healthy weight reduction.
Being a complete protein like meat, Chia can be a plus to those who lead a busy lifestyle and would prefer a liquid breakfast over a conventional one, as Chia can be added to smoothies. It is also handy when your children are fussy eaters, hidden in their food or sprinkled over the top; Chia helps them to meet their nutritional needs without having to take a vitamin supplement. Vitamin C, iron, potassium and antioxidants are all included in this modest whole food; with these specs, no wonder it is being considered as a future remedy for world hunger.
Chia comes in two colours, black and white; both are equal in terms of the nutrients that they possess. Here is a warming recipe for those cold winter mornings:
Chia Pudding
½ cup Chia seeds
3 cups of water
1.5 cups of milk ( can also substitute with soy milk, rice milk or almond milk.)
¼ cup of honey, maple syrup or golden syrup
Soak Chia seeds in water for 15 minutes, you can also leave them covered overnight. Seeds will form a gel-like substance. Reheat in pot or microwave, add milk and honey. Enjoy this sweet and filling simple food.
Optional: add cinnamon or vanilla to spice it up.
This recipe is adapted from: here
