The Benefits of Chia Seeds
Dr. Oz seems to be genuinely committed to offering solid advice that is helpful to his hearers. So when he endorsed chia seeds on his television program last year, there was good reason for viewers to sit up and take notice. According to his guest expert, adding chia seeds to your diet will yield substantial health and weight loss benefits. All too often when viewers hear claims like this, it seems like the claims are made by someone who is trying to sell the product, so it is hard to know whom to trust and what to believe.
It is indeed true that chia seeds are loaded with nutritional value. A one-ounce serving (about two tablespoons) has only 137 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrate, but it provides five grams of protein, ten grams of fiber and more than a quarter of the recommended daily allowance of phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. Chia seeds are high in antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids.
The evidence is not as conclusive here, but there is evidence indicating that chia seeds can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Because chia seeds offer high nutritional value with low calorie intake, it makes sense that they could part of an effective weight loss program, but there is a problem with that plan. Most people who have had a habit of overeating have an emotional involvement with mealtime, and they struggle to make logical decisions about calorie intake and nutritional values.
Chia seeds seem like a worthwhile addition to your diet, and it is very easy to work them in to yogurt or soups, but it would be a mistake to see them as a miracle weight loss product. If you continue to eat as much and exercise as little, simply adding chia seeds to the diet will not produce significant weight loss as a stand-alone measure. However, this is one good choice that can reap benefits particularly when it is accompanied by other good decisions.
If you have struggled with weight loss, perhaps it is time for you to consider professional help. If you would like to determine whether you are a candidate for robotic bariatric surgery, contact us at Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute, 375 Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL. Dr. Velarde has over ten years of experience in bariatric surgery, and he is fluent in both Spanish and English.