Chia seeds: the new superfood (that's actually affordable) you can't afford to skip

Chia seeds are proclaimed a superfood by many advocates in the whole foods movement, so what’s the scoop?

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, alongside mint, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme. They have been consumed since the Mayans and the Aztecs, literally known as “strength” in the Mayan language, it was a favorite snack for travelers since it was believed to fuel them for throughout the journey. For a seed or grain, it is very high in protein, with 3 grams of protein per 60 calories. It also contains a whopping 6 grams of fiber per 60 calories. For comparison purposes, most self-acclaimed “Fiber” snack bars in the health food stores contain about 5 grams of fiber and are about 200-300 calories per bar. It’s a great addition to those of you on a diet (who isn’t??!?!), because they expand to ten times their size in weight in your stomach, making you feel fuller and more satisfied longer! (Yeahhhhhh...no more random cravings)

To eat it, I suggest: sprinkle about 1 tablespoon (the size of one serving) it into your cereal (I swear you won’t taste a thing), on yogurt, or into oatmeal. It is also a great addition to pancake/brownie/cookie mix. MIX, BAKE, EAT (healthy!)

Try this quick 2-minute high-protein Chia Pudding:

• ⅓ cup Chia seeds
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder (my favorite is Herbalife protein powder)
• 2 cups vanilla unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon agave (or maple syrup).

Throw it in a blender, chill for 1 hour, and eat eat eat!! Top with fruit of choice for added fiber and a dose of goodies. Instead of waiting for it to become a pudding, I sometimes chug it down instead....it's so delicious either way. The starting consistency is actually like a creamy smoothie.

or try one of these 16 mouthwatering recipes that's also packed with a powerhouse of antioxidants and goodies