Why You Should Add These Seeds To Your Diet

In the world of nutrition, some foods stand out as superheroes, packed with numerous health benefits that make them worthy additions to any diet. Among these superstars are chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flaxseeds. These seeds offer a powerhouse of nutritional value that will help boost your overall health.

Check out the benefits of each seed and how you can easily add them into your diet!

Benefits of Chia, Hemp, and Flax

Despite their small size, chia, hemp, & flaxseed are definitely nutritional superheroes as they are each packed with excellent sources of essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Chia Seed

Chia seeds are incredible sources of nutrients and antioxidants. Healthline outlines their main benefits to include helping lower blood pressure, managing weight by helping reduce appetite, lowering risk of heart disease and cancer, and regulating blood sugar.

Texture: Small black and white seeds
Serving size: 2-2.5 tbsp
Calories: 140
Protein value: 5 grams
Fiber: 10 grams
Carbohydrates: 12 grams
Fat: 9 grams total (8 heart-healthy)

Hemp Seed

Similar to chia seeds, hemp seeds also offer a variety of benefits due to their high amount of amino acids. According to Healthline, hemp seeds are known to improve skin appearance, regulate symptoms related to the female reproductive system, aid digestion, and reduce cholesterol. These seeds are a great source of plant-based protein as well.

Texture: Small shelled seeds with nutty flavor
Serving size: 3 tbsp
Calories: 180
Protein value: 10 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 1 gram
Fat: 15 grams

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are also nutritional powerhouses! Flax seeds contain a healthy amount of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fats, which benefit the body by helping improve digestion, reducing heart disease and cancer, managing type 2 diabetes, and controlling appetite. Many people use flaxseed meal as a replacement for eggs in baked goods, which is a great option for a vegan lifestyle.

Texture: Small brown seeds - often sold whole or ground
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories: 70
Protein value: 3 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fat: 4.5 grams

How to Incorporate Hemp, Chia, and Flax into Your Diet

One of the best things about these seeds is their versatility in the kitchen. They can easily be incorporated into your daily meals and snacks in a variety of unique ways.

Some of the best and simplest ways to add these seeds into your diet is through smoothies, salads, oatmeal and overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, cereals, and baked goods. These seeds add nutritional value without altering the taste of your favorite drinks, snacks, meals, and desserts due to their neutral flavor.

Maja’s overnight oats, for example, would be a great place to start! Maja offers Banana Bread Overnight Oats and Cacao + Coconut Overnight Oats - both of which are delicious and packed with healthy ingredients, including chia, hemp, and flaxseeds. Check out our Recipe Box which contains unique and tasty recipes with these overnight oats.

Some of our favorites are:

With their simple preparation and long shelf life, you can reap the numerous health benefits that these seeds have to offer with minimal effort!

Whether you’re looking to improve your heart health, looking to add more fiber to your diet, or hoping to manage your weight, these seeds are the way to go. Be sure to add these super seeds to your next grocery list and begin experiencing the many benefits they offer.