MySeeds Chia Test Kitchen - The Chia Seed Cookbook: Eat Well, Feel Great, Lose Weight

I n todays busy world, many people underestimate the power of breakfast. Its the easiest meal of the day to skip since hunger usually isnt that intense in the morning, and there are always plenty of excuses: not enough time; or all the fast breakfasts are fast food; or the good for you stuff tastes bad.

However, breakfast plays an important role throughout your day. If you skip breakfast, youre very likely to want to snack before lunch or feel tired later on in the morning as your energy runs down. Caffeine is not a substitute for nutrition, no matter how many people treat it that way. Missing breakfast can also lead to overeating at lunch time or craving unhealthy foods. Having a healthy breakfast can help prevent blood sugar peaks and valleys that affect your energy level and concentration.

Breakfast foods are a great way to work healthy items into your day. You can use breakfast to boost your fiber, power up with protein, and have a serving or two of colorful fruits. These chia breakfasts can help you do all of the above. Most of the breakfasts youll see are quick and easy. You can even prepare some ahead of time (like the banana breakfast pops) and keep them in the freezer. The breakfast oat squares can be made on a Sunday so you can simply pick one up as you head out the door Monday morning. It doesnt get much faster than that!

Whether theyre a quick grab n go (like the breakfast cookie) or suited for a fun Saturday morning (like the fruit crumple) youll always be getting the added benefits of chia, without the preservatives or high fructose corn syrup of many packaged breakfast foods. When you have chia for breakfast, the two kinds of fiber in each seed will help ensure you stay full until to lunch time. The protein will provide you with energy to start your day off right.

A study from Virginia Commonwealth University found that regularly skipping breakfast increases your risk of significant weight gain by 450 percent! People who ate a protein-rich varied breakfast of about 400 calories lost more weight and kept it off because they had an easier time staying with their healthy life diet. Your mom was right! Breakfast gets your motor running.

Breakfast could be the easiest meal of the day in which to use chia. These ideas are so simple that a recipe isnt even required. However, just because theyre as easy as scoop-and-stir doesnt mean they should be overlooked.

Stir dry chia into any flavor of yogurtthe seeds will take on the flavor of the yogurt.

Stir chia gel into any type of oatmeal after cookingyou wont even notice the chia.

Sprinkle chia over cereal if you plan to drink the milk afterwardsome of the seeds will end up in the milk.

Add chia gel to your breakfast teait will absorb the flavor of the tea and keep you feeling full.

Toast with jam? Dry chia will stick in the jam.

Making an omelet? Sprinkle dry chia before you fold it so it will stick in the egg.

Add gelled chia to any breakfast drink to make it more filling.

Swirling up a smoothie, protein shake, or anything else in the blender? Chia is ideal here, too.

Healthy breakfast nut-butter sandwich! Sprinkle dry chia and top with banana slices. You can use peanut or almond butter for a change of pace.

This isnt a recipe because it is just too easy. Ingredients: berries of choice, chia gel, and Greek yogurt. You can even prepare your parfaits the night before so theyll be ready to grab n go in the morning. You may be the envy of your coworkers with such a beautiful breakfast or afternoon snack!

Like some crunch? You can add nuts such as cashews (shown on page 16) or almonds. Any nut that you like will work well here. When youre ready to eat, you can also sprinkle on a little granola so it doesnt become soggy. You can add as much or as little chia as you want to these parfaits... just use the amount that will keep you feeling full.

Chia and eggs are a great pair in the morning. Eggs provide protein, while chia provides fiber. With these quick recipes, you can see just how simple it is to add chia to eggs, however you like to prepare them.

Cookies for breakfast? Who wouldnt get excited about that? These tasty, fruity, and filling cookies can provide you with an easy start to your day, even if youre in a rush. No time to have breakfast? Grab a cookie or two and away you go.

You can make a batch of these cookies on the weekend, and then grab one on the way out the door all week or pack them in a lunch bag. These breakfast cookies are loaded with fiber, protein, cinnamon, and fruit. If you let on about how healthy they are, will they still taste as good? Yes! This recipe makes about a dozen large cookies.