How Much Chia Seeds Per Day?

How Much Chia Seeds Per Day?

Chia Seeds Per Day - How much?So you’ve decided to take the plunge with chia and are wondering how much chia seeds per day should you consume?

In my experience and with everything that I have read about chia seeds is that there is no magical number for the amount of chia we should eat.

For the most part, we have to remember that chia seeds are a healthy, nutrient rich food that will benefit our bodies. You can’t really go overboard with eating the stuff.

How Much Chia Seeds Per Day – Suggestions!

I’ve read numerous studies and books on chia and how much chia seeds per day you should eat and the consensus seems to be around 1 to 2 tablespoons per day in gel form.

In other words it is best to eat one to two tablespoon of chia after they have been soaked in liquid, preferably water, so you have no added calories.

If you want to use some sort of fruit juice, then that is acceptable as well, but just know you are adding sugar and calories from these types of sources. Try and stick with juices that are all natural, without added sugar and flavor.

Why Take Chia Seeds in Gel Form?

You can eat chia seeds in any form that you like, but you have to remember that chia seeds are hydrophilic (water absorbing) and it is best to give them some liquid source to absorb.

If you eat chia seeds without soaking them in liquid, then make sure to drink at least 8 to 10 ounces of water along with the chia seeds.

water for chia seedsWithout that added water or liquid to your system the chia seeds will draw in whatever amount of liquid they can get to in your body, which might lead to cramps and possibly dehydration.

How Much Chia Seeds Per Day – My Regimen

My recommendation of how much chia seeds per day is based on what I personally do. Each night before I go to bed I add two tablespoons of chia seeds to about 8 ounces of water in a glass cup. I make sure to stir the seeds for about twenty seconds to make sure all the chia seeds are coated with liquid.

I refrigerate the seeds overnight and in the morning I have a nice consistent chia gel. When I make my morning shake, I just take about 3 to 4 spoonfuls of chia gel and add it to my morning shake.

In the evening, as a snack and about one to two hours before dinner I grab a spoon and eat whatever remains from my glass cup that I had prepared from the night before. And before I go to bed the cycle continues, two tablespoon of chia seeds and 8 ounces of water, stir and refrigerate.

How much chia seeds per day we consume doesn’t have to be a difficult question to answer. I eat two tablespoons per day, but eat whatever amount makes you feel comfortable.

Calories in Chia Seeds

Calories in Chia Seeds

Calories found in chia seedsCalories in chia seeds will vary according to serving size and whether the seeds are measured dried or soaked in anything other than water. Let us examine a 1 ounce serving size of dried chia seeds to figure out our answers.

From my research, I have discovered that the calories in chia seeds for a one ounce serving size of dried chia has about 137 calories. Whereas a tablespoon of chia seeds has about 68 calories.

Either way you look at it, consuming chia seeds is a healthy alternative to the empty calories found in sodas and much of our processed foods that we consume-for many on a daily basis.

Calories in Chia Seeds – Nutrition Grade A

Chia seeds have been given a nutrition grade of A. Foods are graded on the well-known system of A (being best) through F (the worst).

The grades were created to help people see the quality of nutrition that they are consuming on a daily basis. Obviously foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and sodium will get lower quality scores.

And foods that contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health will have higher quality scores. The grading system doesn’t compute optimum serving size for any given food , but acts as a barometer for the quality of food being measured.

As with anything, moderation is the key. Just because something is good for us doesn’t mean that we should over do it.

Calories in Chia Seeds – My Personal Consumption

Although from the material I have read over the years on chia seeds, it seems that you can consume a high amount of chia on a daily basis and there have been no adverse effects reported.

Personally, I consume about two tablespoons of chia gel in my morning shake and in the evening I eat about two tablespoons of raw chia gel about an hour or two before dinner.

I have found that by eating it in the morning I have so much energy for my daily activities and in the evening the calories in chia seeds I eat helps me feel fuller, so I don’t stuff myself with dinner. I have also found that I even have less of a sweet tooth when I consume 2 tablespoons of chia before dinner, as well.