So during the sectionals a couple of weeks back when I was judging, I made my chia drink early in the morning. I remember I left a mess in Leigh's car and put the cup in a plastic bag. It remained in that bag ever since. This morning I found the bag in my office and went to clean it out when I noticed what had happened! The chia seeds grew! At a first glimpse I thought it was going to be something gross. It turns out that the chia looks and smells very clean. So I thought now would be a good time to share to you guys what I have been drinking every morning.
"A lot of you guys have been curious lately on what I have been drinking and talking about at the gym. Its the Chia Seed! That's right, just like the Chia Pet."
Salvia Hispanica, a magical seed cherished in central Mexico. So valuable it was used as a form of currency for the Aztecs. There are tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties in these seeds. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march.
Chia Seeds rich in nutrients (In 1 Table Spoon):
- Has 8x more potassium than a banana
- 3.1 Grams of Omega 3's (Alpha-linolenic acid)
- 1 Gram of Omega 6 (Linolenic acid)
- 4.2 grams of fiber
- 2.5 grams of protein
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
"That's all dandy but what I am interested and learned to be very useful for us badassCrossFitters is what happens when you mix it with water."
Due to its high fiber content, Chia seed absorbs up to ten times its weight in water, making it an excellent source of hydration. The Chia soluble fiber forms a gel that slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, binds it to toxins in the digestive system, and helps eliminate waste.
Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.
You know that burn during Fran on those quads? This is the production of lactic acid. The working muscles generate energy anaerobically. This energy comes from glucose through a process called glycolysis, in which glucose is broken down or metabolized into a substance called pyruvate through a series of steps.
The Chia seed in its gelatin state will work on your side! It works extremely well for both the long monostructural endurance movements (running, rowing, swimming and biking) and high intensity anaerobic movements performed in an aerobic environment (CrossFit). Slowing down the process of building up lactic acid will help you with your WOD!
The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.
This is all Chia Power Baby! I have been taking Chia every morning and I have to say, don't think of Chia as an energy booster because it is not. It keeps me hydrated, helps me recover faster after my workouts, endures me on my runs. It is a great food to add to your diet.
My diet:
- High dose fish oil
- Lots and lots of water
- Very small amounts of GLA (found in evening primrose oil)
- Zone by heart (hard) / Paleo in my thoughts
- Chia!
I hope I intrigued you guys on chia. This ancient seed is a very powerful "superfood" Give it a try!
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