Chia seeds PSA, TMI, OMG!!!

[Acadie]

This morning for the first time I added a tablespoon of raw chia seeds to my green smoothie which tasted good, but I didn't notice the burst of energy I usually feel after drinking it. Strange.

I try to drink green smoothies on mornings I plan to write because they give me great energy and focus. Today was quite the opposite, actually--it wasn't long before I started to feel brain foggy and bloated. Attempted to proceed with my writing but kept having to get up from my desk to go to the bathroom...SIX TIMES!!!

I'm so grateful that I wasn't scheduled to be anywhere else this morning, and that everyone else was out of the house, lol. When I googled I discovered I'm not the only person who has a gastrointestinal system-clearing response to eating raw chia seeds. But apparently I tolerate less than some people--I saw some advice to limit servings to 2-3 tablespoons and shudder to think what might've happened if I'd eaten 2-3 times the amount! 

BTW, the Reddit threads on chia seeds and GI issues are freaking hilarious. If the pandemic ever gets to be too much, or pictures of cake fails aren't doing it, there's some outrageously funny potty talk just a Google search away. I'm not posting links because I seriously need to step away from bathroom concerns this morning, but just wanted to share the chia PSA as well as my relief at finally feeling better, with (weirdly) lots of laughs along the way.

Lmk if anyone would like a nearly-full bag of chia seeds from Costco 🙂  

 

 

 

[Scarlett]

6 minutes ago, Acadie said:

This morning for the first time I added a tablespoon of raw chia seeds to my green smoothie which tasted good, but I didn't notice the burst of energy I usually feel after drinking it. Strange.

I try to drink green smoothies on mornings I plan to write because they give me great energy and focus. Today was quite the opposite, actually--it wasn't long before I started to feel brain foggy and bloated. Attempted to proceed with my writing but kept having to get up from my desk to go to the bathroom...SIX TIMES!!!

I'm so grateful that I wasn't scheduled to be anywhere else this morning, and that everyone else was out of the house, lol. When I googled I discovered I'm not the only person who has a gastrointestinal system-clearing response to eating raw chia seeds. But apparently I tolerate less than some people--I saw some advice to limit servings to 2-3 tablespoons and shudder to think what might've happened if I'd eaten 2-3 times the amount! 

BTW, the Reddit threads on chia seeds and GI issues are freaking hilarious. If the pandemic ever gets to be too much, or pictures of cake fails aren't doing it, there's some outrageously funny potty talk just a Google search away. I'm not posting links because I seriously need to step away from bathroom concerns this morning, but just wanted to share the chia PSA as well as my relief at finally feeling better, with (weirdly) lots of laughs along the way.

Lmk if anyone would like a nearly-full bag of chia seeds from Costco 🙂  

 

 

 

I put a TBLE in my fruit and yogurt about 5 times a week.  I was putting  2 TBLE but the texture was too much for me.....I have never had an issue.  In fact, I can tell it really helps me.  I started the chia seed thing 1 1/2 years ago after my first colonoscopy when they told me to go high fiber.  

[Martha in GA]

I also eat tons of chia seeds with no ill effects. Sorry for your discomfort!

[Arcadia]

23 minutes ago, Acadie said:

Lmk if anyone would like a nearly-full bag of chia seeds from Costco 🙂  

My husband bought a bag from grocery outlet. Lots of food items have a laxative effect on me. My husband just use those food items as natural laxative when constipated. 

[Pawz4me]

I wish they had that effect on me. I'd be a happy camper. But alas . . no.

Hope you feel better soon!

[ktgrok]

I have this response to flax seeds! For a while flax muffins were all the rage in low carb circles, made with flax meal. OMG I thought I was dying of a stomach virus! For DAYS I ate them for breakfast every day! At least you figured it out quickly. 

[Indigo Blue]

Can’t eat that. Or flax seeds. Or almonds, walnuts, and most other nuts. I get omega fat only from flax oil. Thank goodness I can tolerate peanuts.

[Acadie]

1 hour ago, Scarlett said:

I put a TBLE in my fruit and yogurt about 5 times a week.  I was putting  2 TBLE but the texture was too much for me.....I have never had an issue.  In fact, I can tell it really helps me.  I started the chia seed thing 1 1/2 years ago after my first colonoscopy when they told me to go high fiber.  

 

1 hour ago, Martha in GA said:

I also eat tons of chia seeds with no ill effects. Sorry for your discomfort!

Interesting--we're all so different!

[Acadie]

1 hour ago, Arcadia said:

My husband bought a bag from grocery outlet. Lots of food items have a laxative effect on me. My husband just use those food items as natural laxative when constipated. 

That's an interesting idea. I just may need to measure with a teaspoon, not a tablespoon! 

[Acadie]

46 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

I have this response to flax seeds! For a while flax muffins were all the rage in low carb circles, made with flax meal. OMG I thought I was dying of a stomach virus! For DAYS I ate them for breakfast every day! At least you figured it out quickly. 

Ugh, DAYS!! Given my recent experience this sounds like an absolute nightmare! 

[catz]

I think just throwing 1 TBSP of chia seeds without taking it normally is pretty extreme actually.  I have IBS and use ground chia and flax.  But I start with like 1/4-1/2 tsp and build up from there.  

But congratulations and I'm sorry on your sudden detox!?  😂😭

[mlktwins]

1 hour ago, Pawz4me said:

I wish they had that effect on me. I'd be a happy camper. But alas . . no.

 

Me too! 

[Carrie12345]

I’m so sorry!

I like throwing a little chia and/or flax into things, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten close to a Tbs.  Will be keeping this in mind!!!

[Scarlett]

43 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

I think just throwing 1 TBSP of chia seeds without taking it normally is pretty extreme actually.  I have IBS and use ground chia and flax.  But I start with like 1/4-1/2 tsp and build up from there.  

But congratulations and I'm sorry on your sudden detox!?  😂😭

Yes I think this is true....and you are suppose to drink a lot of water when you eat  Chia seeds.

[mathnerd]

1 hour ago, FuzzyCatz said:

I think just throwing 1 TBSP of chia seeds without taking it normally is pretty extreme actually. 

This is correct. It is pretty extreme to throw 1 TBSP into a smoothie on the get go.

I eat chia daily and consume it in moderate quantities but I mostly only eat soaked chia seeds. I always soak them in water for 6 - 12 hours in the fridge before consuming them. If you eat raw chia seeds, then you should drink copious amounts of water as they will swell up in your stomach.

Here are some delicious ways for you to consume that costco size bag of chia:

- keep 2 TBSP of chia soaked in 8 oz of water in a container in the fridge. Start and end your day by drinking a cup of water with a little soaked chia seeds added to them.

- if you make your own salad dressing, add 1 TBSP to it and shake and store it overnight before consuming

- make a breakfast or dessert chia pudding (my family's favorite are mango with cardamom and saffron: something like this with the aromatic spices added on - https://lovingitvegan.com/mango-chia-pudding/

 or cherry with almond extract: something like this - https://getinspiredeveryday.com/food/sweet-cherry-almond-chia-pudding/ ). I make a batch and store them in the refrigerator in 4 oz mason jars for snacks.

- add a TBSP of ground chia to your baking mixes and pancake flours

 

[Pawz4me]

I put a teaspoon or so in my overnight oats.

[bookbard]

Chia seeds are the only thing I've ever had a mild allergic reaction to. I soaked them to make a kind of pudding - but had the tingling round the mouth and the thumping heart when I tried them. This happened twice, so I haven't tried them since. 

[Rosie_0801]

You really have to increase your water intake if you increase your fibre intake, whether it is chia seeds or anything else out of the ordinary! Even a switch from white rice to brown.
And take care to chew things properly!

[Acadie]

4 hours ago, Rosie_0801 said:

You really have to increase your water intake if you increase your fibre intake, whether it is chia seeds or anything else out of the ordinary! Even a switch from white rice to brown.
And take care to chew things properly!

I had no idea I was living on the edge! 😂 

The serving size on the bag is 3 tablespoons--they should add a warning or something.