March 8, 2014

Chia Charged

 
MANGO CHIA PODS

 

Last summer, we ran a story titled Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia, about the hot new superfood chia, whose benefits were widely touted in the best-selling book, Born To Run, as one of the top fuel sources for endurance athletes. Utilized by the Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of ultra-runners in the Copper Canyons of Mexico, the chia seed is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Because of their extreme absorbancy, chia seeds provide sustained energy and help prevent dehydration. They expand up to ten times their original size when soaked in water, forming a gel-like substance that slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar and fuels the body longer.

Last fall, at the New York City Marathon Expo, we found a number of new Chia products geared towards runners, most notably Chia Pod from the Australian company, The Chia Co. Enticingly packaged in a clear container, with a handy orange spoon tucked into the lid, Chia Pod consists of 3 ingredients — fruit, coconut milk, and chia seeds. What you see is what you taste. There is no added sugar, so while the banana flavor is sweet, the blueberry is quite tart. Somewhat strange at first, Chia Pods grow on you, with a texture worthy of note. Somewhat gelatinous, the seeds soak up the moisture of the coconut milk and remain as tiny chewable bubbles. They are most definitely a taste sensation.

Chia Pods are quickly gaining in popularity for both athletes and the health conscious. The Chia Co. recently partnered with eleven-time world champion surfer, Kelly Slater, to promote the benefits of chia on a global level, as well as the larger correlation between a healthy diet and wellbeing. Chia Pods are now sold in grocery and natural food stores (we just spotted them at Fresh Direct!), are available in four flavors, and are dairy free and vegan. Each Chia Pod has roughly 150 calories and provides 100% of the recommended daily intake of Omega 3 and 25% of your fiber. They are great as a power breakfast, quick lunch, pre-workout snack or savory desert, and made to eat and run!

 

July 24, 2013

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

 
NEW YORK SUPERFOODS CHIA MOXIE PEANUT BUTTER

 

No we are not talking about ChiaPets, that sprouting clay animal of our youth, but the wonder seed chia, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, the benefits of which are lowered cholesterol, anti-aging, and cancer prevention. The seeds are some the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat, with just two tablespoons containing 10 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, more calcium than milk, more Omega-3s than salmon and more iron than spinach.

Besides these wide-ranging health benefits, this superfood is one of the top fuel sources for endurance athletes. The best-selling book, Born To Run, highlighted chia seeds as the indigenous dietary staple of the Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of ultra-runners in the Copper Canyons of Mexico, noted for their 50+ mile runs. Because of their extreme absorbancy, chia seeds provide sustained energy and help prevent dehydration. They expand up to ten times their original size when soaked in water, forming a gel-like substance that slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar and allows carbohydrates consumed to fuel the body for longer periods of time. This helps stabilize blood sugar levels and regulate body fluids to retain electrolytes, critical in preventing dehydration during long runs.

Now we are not the Tarahumara Indians, who are going to eat a handful of not particularly tasty chia seeds before a run. There is however, a new line of chia rich products on the market, created specifically for athletes. I recently sampled the “Chia Chargers” and “Chia Moxie Peanut Butter” by the family owned and run, New York Superfoods. These products are completely natural, gluten-free, certified non-GMO and delicious! Co-founder Catherine Walsh, a runner and triathlete, created these products with her husband, to fill a gap in the marketplace of nutritious chia products designed for athletic performance. Launched in 2010, they created the first ever raw chia health energy bite, the Chia Charger®  and now have a line chia peanut butters as well. Regardless of your fitness level or activity, these products are a tasty way to incorporate this superfood into your diet, with the added benefit of enhanced athletic performance. Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!

 
 

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