No Longer Just An Inanimate and Useless Pet

Although I never had one myself, I definitely knew everything there was to know about Chia Pets, as I grew up bombarded (and annoyed) by their commercials and the ridiculous but catchy jingle, "Cha cha cha chi-a!" Never could I have predicted I'd reconnect with the "watch your seeds sprout and grow" product as an adult. But I now do. Everyday, in fact.

My co-worker dropped two tablespoons of chia seeds into my water a few days ago and told me to wait ten minute before drinking it. Within minutes, the seeds started to grow inside my cup, taking on a larva-like look and texture. I sipped on my water. Not bad. Tasted like tapioca. I gulped it down even though a tiny irrational part of me feared my intestinal walls would start to sprout.


It turns out chia seeds are a super food! They are full of omega 3 and 6 oils, high in antioxidants and are super easy to digest as they also contain high levels of fiber. The chia seeds are also great for athletes because they are highly hydrophilic and can absorb over 10 times their weight in water. Studies show that eating chia seed can also slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrate into simple sugars, providing great health benefits for diabetics. The seeds, when in our digestive system, can also prevent some of the ingested food (calories)  from getting absorbed into our system, aiding with weight loss. 


After reading about the endless health benefits of chia seeds, I promptly went to my local Whole Foods after work and bought a box. I figure if I ever get sick of eating them, I can always stick them in a pot and watch them grow!