Did you know that ABC News officially declared 2013 the “Year Of The Chia Seed Among The Health Conscious”? As a nutritionist specializing in vitamin cures and superfoods I can only agree: these tiny black and white seeds really are an amazing secret weapon!

Not only do they help you get fit & healthy, they are incredible beauty boosters, too. Plus chia seeds are a perfect weight loss aid which makes both getting and staying in shape so much easier and, above all, real fun.

Chia seeds have become pretty popular lately but actually were already a staple in the Mayans' diet. The seeds simply made people feel good and helped them keep a clear mind.

If you believe Mexican folk medicine, a single tea spoon of chia seeds is sufficient to supply the body with all relevant nutrients for 24 hours and there are numerous reasons why you should have chia regularly.

My personal top 5 reasons for daily consumption of chia seeds are:

1) Bye bye cravings!

We all know what it's like when cravings hit. They make you eat stuff which isn't actually good for you, providing tons of empty calories with no nutritional value whatsoever.

Donuts, chips & soft drinks send you flying high energy-wise, only to let you crash really hard shortly after. Chia seeds are perfect to prevent cravings because they slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. Your body is provided with a steady flow of energy, nipping ravings in the bud.

2) Dream weight, dream tummy!

Chia seeds are a terrific weight loss aid because they are so rich in water-soluble fiber that they are extremely satisfying. Moreover, they prevent bloating, keep things moving in your bowels and, thus, make your belly flat.

3) Gorgeous skin, hair & nails!

Chia seeds are full of nutrients offering incredible beauty benefits: clear skin, beautiful hair, strong nails, chia seeds even make your teeth look great! They also effectively hydrate your cells which will make fine lines in your face disappear.

4) No more feeling blue!

Chia seeds are very high in omega-3 fatty acids as well as amino acids. They are a great way to get a grip on mood disorders including depression. Take up to 4 Tbsp of chia seeds daily, for instance in green smoothies, and after about three to four weeks, you'll definitely start feeling better.

5) Chia gel as an egg and butter replacement!

If you are looking for a way to remove eggs and or butter from your diet, search no more and simply try chia gel: Add 1/3 of a cup seeds to 2 cups of purified water and let the seeds soak for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid clumping, pour the gel into an airtight container and then place in the refrigerator. 1 Tbsp jelly = 1 egg or 1 Tbsp of butter.

The gel will last about three weeks.

I know what you might be thinking right now: this just sounds too good to be true. But I promise you, it is not!

Chia seeds totally are “a real deal” and so that you know what I mean, I have a great recipe for you which contains as many as THREE superfoods:

Chia Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 can of unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk

1.5 oz of dark chocolate, 70% cocoa

2-3 Tbsp of chia gel

2 Tbsp of maple syrup

Optional topping: desiccated coconut or whipped soy cream.

Method:

Before opening the can, shake the coconut milk and then pour it into ice cube trays.

Freeze.

Put the coconut milk ice cubes into a food processor and blend with the other ingredients.

Serve immediately.

Tell us below how you enjoyed making and eating this one!

Editor's Note: Get Nathalie's book – Simply Live Better With Chia Seeds – you can get it from here.