For a Better Smoothie, Just Add Chia

Most people know about chia seeds from the famous ads for the Chia Pet. Just add water and watch it grow!

Chia seeds are more than a novelty. They can be added to bread dough or used to bulk up a smoothie for a more satisfying meal. When you soak the seeds in water, they expand and become gelatinous, a property that aids digestion and contributes to their low glycemic index. When I use the seeds in smoothies, dressings and juices, I scoop up a tablespoon of the gelatinous mixture of seeds suspended in water — which is the equivalent of a teaspoon of unsoaked chia seeds — and add it to the drink or dressing. It adds substance to a drink, and I felt incredibly well nourished by this week’s chia-enriched fruit smoothies. I made five of them, adding other soaked nuts, seeds or muesli along with the chia. They made energy-rich breakfasts, perfect food for a morning workout.