Are You Always Hungry?

"There is a new super seed on the block and I am blown away by its extraordinary health benefits...this is the year you must add chia to your diet," Dr. Oz recently announced to his audience. "[The seeds] are great for dieters because researchers believe they suppress appetite naturally."

The credit goes to chia's impressive fiber content--ounce for ounce, it's nearly triple that of oat bran. "When you get fiber in your food, there is an incredibly valuable resource for you," Dr. Oz told viewers. "It makes you feel full, so without trying you can naturally begin to let those pounds slip off." The reason: Fiber causes the seeds to swell to 9 times their original weight after they're ingested. "Once they expand, they change the volume of your stomach," Dr. Oz explained. "So guess what? You can't fit the same amount [of food]."

Freedom from hunger isn't the only reason Dr. Oz recommends eating chia. "Rich in protein, minerals, and fiber, the seeds contain 50% more calcium than milk," he has said. "They also harbor the same healthy levels of omega-3 fatty acids you get from salmon." Plus, chia seeds pack a payload of antioxidants (cell-protecting substances proven to help prevent cardiovascular disease, dementia and cancer) that exceeds even blueberries. No wonder the Harvard-trained cardiologist considers these little gems a dietary must!


First for Women, pg 30, 6/18/12