Wednesday Nutrition: Chia Seeds

Since becoming a more serious runner, I’ve noticed that there are a superfluity of trends that have taken hold in the running population as a whole, or sometimes only in small, intense cliques.  Everyone with 2 running shoes and the sense to make a quick buck has made some breakthrough discovery about a certain way you’re supposed to run, eat, or train.  These trends range from the potentially significant to the unspeakably absurd.  One trend that I’ve begun to buy into a bit is nutritional supplements; mostly the ones that are backed by many years (or centuries, in the case of Chia) of evidence.

My exposure to Chia seeds began while reading Born to Run, and learning about the Tarahumara who eat a mixture of pinole and Chia seeds while on their prolonged runs through the Copper Canyons.  While I am by no means an exceptional endurance athlete, I decided to give Chia seeds a shot to see if they made a difference in my training.  Without going into too much nutritional detail, a single tablespoon of Chia seeds contain many things that are essential to a runner's diet:

• 3g protein
• 5g fiber
• Calcium and potassium
• LOADS of antioxidants
• 6% DV Iron
• 2.5 g of Omega-3 fatty acids 

One of my favorite ways to incorporate Chia seeds into my diet is by throwing a tablespoon or two into fruit juice (generally a mix of tart cherry juice and pomegranate juice – both have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties).  Chia seeds absorb water like crazy, so they tend to turn fluid into a kind of gel.  The seeds end up being just slightly crunchy when they are suspended in the juice.  The texture is akin to blackberry seeds, which might be unappealing for some, but I kind of like it.  I’ve also recently tried adding Chia seeds to oatmeal and smoothies, and they work both in great.  I haven't turned into an endurance machine since my consumption of Chia began, but I hope it will have a beneficial effect on my training and overall health.

As a side note, my copy of Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek came in the mail today, and I'm excited to read it.  Hopefully I can have a review up by next Wednesday!