When I first tried chia seeds (in the form of chia pudding), I wasn’t a fan. I wanted to like them: they’re so good for you. But eating something just because it’s good for you?
Ridiculous!
You don’t have to suffer for health.
If you aren’t big on a certain food, there are plenty of ways to get all your nutrients somewhere else. For example, my sister hates bananas. So she gets her potassium from foods she does like, such as yams, spinach, and broccoli. No big deal. Remember that mental health is an important component to overall health, too. If you’re choking down foods you detest, your mental health will suffer.
Going back to the chia… Although I didn’t like the pudding, I was willing to give the seeds a second chance. Perhaps I’d enjoy them in a different form. After all, everyone in the blogworld seems to adore them. So when the Health Warrior Company offered me some samples, I accepted.
And I discovered that I do like chia seeds. They are awesome in oatmeal!
Never-Ending Oatmeal Bowl
(serves 1)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 1/2 cups milk of choice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup more milk of choice
- sweetener and add-ins of choice
Either cook oats, milk, and salt on the stovetop, or place your oats and salt in a large, microwaveable dish (I use a pyrex 4-cup measurer) with the milk of choice. Microwave 1 and 1/2 minutes, then add your chia and 1/2 cup more liquid. Microwave 2 more minutes. Don’t open the microwave door yet. Instead, leave your mixture for five minutes. Then stir and put in the fridge—uncovered—overnight. Next day, it will magically be thick and ready for your favorite add-ins!
For sweetener, try using The Melted Banana Trick.
Also, I really like to put the cooked oatmeal in my Magic Bullet and blend just a little. This “blended grains” trick really helps all the flavors to meld together.
Do you ever eat foods you don’t really like, just because they’re good for you?
Or do you ever feel pressured to eat a certain food because other bloggers like it? We are all different and our bodies crave different things (and amounts). We should NOT base our food choices on what anyone else is eating. It’d be really weird (not to mention boring) if we were all exactly the same.
This is one of the main reasons I’m not planning on doing another “day in the life” post even though a lot of readers have asked. I don’t feel comfortable knowing others will compare their eating habits to mine or try to mimic what I eat. The way I eat is only perfect for me. You need to listen to your own body, not to what anyone around you is doing.
I love to top smoothies with chia seeds!
Hi Katie,
I’ve never used chia seeds before because I’ve never been able to find them in my area. I’d like to put them in smoothies, make your never ending oatmeal, and chia pudding and a quinoa flake bake as seen on the Tie Dye Files. I really love oats and am always looking for new, delicious ways to dress them up. 🙂
I have been wanting to try chia seeds!! I think chia seed pudding looks great 🙂
I’m with you on not wasting your time on foods you don’t enjoy. I do think everyone should give foods a fair chance to decide if you really do or don’t like them, because sometimes you may only enjoy them in one specific preparation, but if not, then why eat them? It’s not like there are any nutrients we need that are only contained in one food on earth, so just find the variety of items that work for you, and enjoy!
I would put them in tons of smoothies!
I would definitely try chia pudding and of course put loads in my oatmeal!
Holy comments!! I add chia seeds to just about everything I eat. Such a fabulous way to get those omega 3’s!!
I always put chia seeds in my oatmeal.
Ohhhh Katie! I love chia! I am a big fan! I put them in smoothies, cereal, oatmeal…and I’m thinking of trying them in a quinoa fried rice dish! I hope I win! 🙂
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