Chia seeds? Good or bad?

[tonya]

I just bought three pounds of chia seeds and then read in Loren cordains "the paleo diet" that they are possibly not good for you? To many anti nutrients. Just wondering if anyone has an opinion on this.

[basilicious]

According to Sarah Chia seeds are a "pseudograin and not included on the AIP. A pseudograin or pseudocereal is a non-grass plant that is used like grasses. They contain all the anti-nutrients found in grains".

[Carolyn]

If you are someone who is in need of a strict AIP diet, then nuts and seeds should not be included.

That said, if you are otherwise healthy and following a whole foods diet, nuts and seeds can add variety and some micronutrients to your diet if they are properly prepared. All nuts and seeds should be soaked and dried before consuming. It is pretty easy to soak chia and you probably don't have to dry them. If you put a tablespoon in a cup and cover with water it will turn into a gel. You can add this to a smoothie or find a chia seed pudding recipe online that uses coconut milk instead of dairy.

As a general rule, if you have avoided nuts and seeds for some time on the AIP diet and you want to reintroduce, Sarah has specifics on how to do this in her book!

[tonya]

Thank u!

[cleaneatingmel]

I have also read some reports about them not being great .....just in general.
I wish I had it at my fingertips to provide to you, but at least you know if you wish to do some research or google something like chia seeds not so great.

I feel confused over things like this, when even things you think are healthy aren't, such as the high levels of omega 6 in nuts!

[Carolyn]

This article on thepaloemom.com might help, check it out! www.thepaleomom.com/2012/09/the-whys-behind-the-autoimmune-protocol-nuts-and-seeds.html

[cleaneatingmel]

Thank you, I will check it out

[EJ]

cleaneatingmel, here's an older post about nuts & omega-6s: www.marksdailyapple.com/nuts-omega-6-fats/#axzz3BVg6hfuK

And a newer one about the ratios: www.marksdailyapple.com/why-the-omega-3omega-6-ratio-may-not-matter-after-all/

[cleaneatingmel]

Thanks I have read those from Marks daily apple yet still feel conflicted.

I love pumpkin seeds, even they are high in omega 6 *sigh*

seems like the best trail mix is macadamias/coconut flakes/couple of dried berries .....and that's about it

[cleaneatingmel]

I'm not avoiding avocados though for omega 6.

I eat a lot of poultry so trying to cut down on that.

[EJ]

Well, the point of the article was to say you don't have to cut down on omega-6 (once grains and crappy oils are out of the diet)-you should instead focus on increasing omega-3 by eating foods that have a lot of it. So eat your pumpkin seeds but eat more fish

And that trail mix sounds AMAZING to someone who can't eat nuts. (Perspective )

[cleaneatingmel]

Thanks. Sorry if I sounded super negative.

I'm just not sure I agree with the article is what I'm trying to say, I do think it's important to cut down omega 6 sources