Tasty Tuesday: Chia Seeds - Tiny Superfood or Just Bird Food for Hipsters?

Small But Absolutely Loaded

Don’t let their size fool you. These minuscule marvels are absolutely rammed with the good stuff. Omega-3s and 6s? Check. Protein, calcium, iron, zinc? Check, check, check. Fibre and antioxidants? You’re basically eating a nutritional Swiss Army knife.

In fact, if you’re looking for one desert island food that doesn’t involve spearing fish and weeping into a coconut, chia seeds might be your best bet. As one wise soul once put it:

“If you had to pick one desert island food, you couldn’t do much better than chia, at least if you’re interested in building muscle, lowering cholesterol, and reducing your risk of heart disease. After a few months on a chia diet, you could probably swim home.”

Now that’s an exit strategy Tom Hanks could’ve used in Cast Away.

The Ancient Energy Gel 

Long before Holland & Barrett started hawking tiny bags of the stuff for the price of a small mortgage, chia seeds were fuelling warriors and runners alike. The Aztecs and Mayans weren’t blending kale smoothies or debating the merits of oat milk, they were knocking back handfuls of chia seeds and running ultramarathons into battle like absolute maniacs.

If it was good enough for an army charging headfirst into a fight wearing little more than sandals, it’s probably good enough for your Sunday long run.

Why Runners Should Pay Attention

If you’ve ever hit the wall at mile 20 and started hallucinating about a roast dinner chasing you down the road, chia seeds might just be the answer.

• Sustained Energy Release: Thanks to their high fibre content, chia seeds absorb liquid and expand in your stomach, keeping you feeling fuller for longer and releasing energy steadily. Unlike that dodgy gel you downed at mile 18, they won’t leave you doubled over at the next water station.
• Hydration Hero: When soaked, chia seeds develop a jelly-like coating (yes, it’s weird, but go with it). This helps with hydration, keeping fluids in your system for longer during those sweltering summer runs.
• Muscle Recovery: Packed with protein and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, chia seeds help keep your muscles happy and reduce the risk of cramps or post-run hobbling that makes you look like you’ve been in a street brawl.

How to Cram Them Into Your Diet 

Here’s the beauty of chia seeds: they taste of absolutely nothing. You can throw them into just about anything and pretend you’re being virtuous without making any actual effort.

• Sprinkle them into your morning porridge or overnight oats.
• Blend them into smoothies and protein shakes (they won’t fight back).
• Mix them into yoghurts or puddings and watch them do their weird jelly thing.
• Bake them into muffins, breads, or flapjacks for a stealthy nutritional hit.

Basically, if you can eat it, you can throw a handful of chia seeds at it and call it a health food.

The Chia Revolution

Naturally, companies have been quick to leap on the chia bandwagon. There’s now a chia-infused version of nearly everything: bars, drinks, yoghurts. but if someone releases chia-infused Guinness, you’ll know we’ve gone too far (as nice of an idea as it sounds)

As for me? I’m tossing chia seeds into my meals with the vague hope that I’ll suddenly transform into a Tarahumara ultra runner, pounding mountain trails without breaking a sweat. Is it likely? Absolutely not. But then again, neither was me signing up for that marathon after three pints and a bet, and here we are.

The Final Word
They might be small, but chia seeds punch well above their weight. So next time you’re browsing Holland & Barrett trying to figure out if bee pollen or spirulina will save your soul, just grab a bag of chia seeds. Your body (and your future marathon self) might actually thank you for it.