5 Foods You Shouldn’t Mix With Chia Seeds

Consuming chia seeds with certain foods can cause serious health problems like indigestion, acid reflux, and other issues. Here are some foods you shouldn’t mix with chia seeds and how to eat them correctly! Chia seeds are healthy, but not everything you eat with chia seeds will work.

Chia seeds may be small, but they have a ton of health benefits! They add a special jelly-like flavor to your dessert for dinner or start your day with just chia water at night, they’re a healthy choice thanks to their nutritional value. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants that can help fight free radical damage that can cause aging and diseases like cancer. But many people still don’t know the right way to eat chia seeds and which foods they shouldn’t mix with to avoid serious side effects. If you binge on chia seeds and they become a part of your diet, you need to be careful when eating them because not all food combinations are suitable. Let’s talk about the foods you should avoid eating with chia seeds and why.

What can you not eat with chia seeds?

Chia seeds are a nutritious food rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants. According to the Journal of Food Science and Technology, the nutrients in chia seeds may help improve heart health, support strong bones, and improve diabetes control. Although chia seeds can be incorporated into many dishes, there are certain food combinations that should be avoided because they can interfere with digestion, nutrient absorption, or cause live discomfort.

Foods to Avoid Mixing with Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are rich in essential nutrients, but they should not be mixed with these foods.
Experts explain the foods that should be avoided in chia seed consumption and why:

1. Foods containing phytic acid

Phytic acid is found in foods such as beans, lentils, nuts, and some grains and can interfere with mineral absorption. Chia seeds are already high in phytic acid, so combining them with other foods that contain phytic acid can reduce your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc. This can be especially problematic for people who rely on plant-based foods for these minerals.

Chia seeds naturally contain phytic acid, so mixing them with foods that contain this substance, such as beans or nuts, can reduce mineral absorption. It can also lead to mineral deficiencies, especially in a diet lacking animal mineral sources.

2. Foods Rich in Fiber

Chia seeds are rich in fiber. About 28 grams of chia seeds contain about 10 grams of dietary fiber. This means that it contains 35% fiber by weight, according to the International Journal of Food Science. It can cause overdigestion when combined with other high-fiber foods (such as bran, oats) and some fruits (such as apples and pears).

Eating too much fiber can cause bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, meaning they absorb water and swell, contributing more to your digestive system. When mixed with other fiber-rich foods, the body has difficulty digesting the fiber, causing problems like constipation or diarrhea.

3. Dairy products

Some people with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy may find that mixing chia seeds with dairy products like yogurt, milk, or cheese can cause indigestion. For some people, milk alone can cause indigestion, and adding high-fiber chia seeds can make indigestion worse.

Chia seeds can absorb a lot of liquid and form a gel-like consistency, which slows down digestion when mixed with dairy and causes symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach pain. People with dairy sensitivities should consider plant-based alternative milks or yogurt.

4. High-oxalate foods

Oxalates are compounds found in foods like spinach, beet greens, and sweet potatoes that can combine with calcium and other minerals to form kidney stones in susceptible individuals. Chia seeds are also high in oxalates, so combining them with other foods that contain oxalates can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Excessive oxalate intake can lead to the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys. Therefore, combining chia seeds with other foods that contain oxalates can increase your risk of kidney stones, especially if you are prone to kidney stones.

5. Sugary foods

Adding chia seeds to sugary foods like desserts, drinks, or cereals may interfere with the health benefits of chia seeds. While these sugary foods can cause blood sugar to spike, chia seeds also help control blood sugar due to their fiber content. Instead, use honey or maple syrup to sweeten your dessert.

Sugary foods can spike blood sugar, causing a loss of energy later in life. When combined with high-sugar foods, the blood sugar-balancing effect of chia seeds decreases and the health benefits of chia seeds become even worse.

What is the best way to eat chia seeds?

To get the most out of the health benefits of chia seeds and to ensure proper consumption, it is important to prepare and consume chia seeds correctly. Here is a guide on how to properly consume chia seeds.

1. Soak before eating

One of the best ways to consume chia seeds is to soak them in water or other liquids. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, meaning they absorb water and can swell to 10 to 12 times their size. Soaking them helps release nutrients, aids digestion, and prevents water absorption in the digestive tract, which can cause dehydration.

To soak chia seeds, mix one tablespoon of chia seeds with about half a cup of water. Let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes, until they form a gel-like consistency. You can also refrigerate them overnight. This mixture can be added to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.

2. Add to smoothies or juices

Chia seeds can easily be added to smoothies or mixed into juices. This not only increases the nutritional value of the drink, but also makes it thicker and more satisfying in texture. Since chia seeds have no flavor, they will not alter the taste of your smoothie or juice. You can mix them with fruits, leafy greens, or protein powder to add more nutrients.

3. Used in baking

Chia seeds can be used as a healthy ingredient in baking. They can replace eggs in vegan recipes for a healthy diet or add them to muffins, breads and pancakes. To make chia eggs, mix one tablespoon of chia seeds with three cups of water and let it sit until it forms a gel. This mixture is used as a binding agent in baked goods.

4. Sprinkle on Food

If you want to use up your chia seeds faster, you can sprinkle dried chia seeds on foods like salads, cereal, or yogurt. There’s no need to soak them, but it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as the dried seeds absorb moisture when eaten.

Summary

While chia seeds are a superfood with many benefits, it’s important to pair them well with other foods. Avoiding phytate foods, fiber, dairy for those with sensitive skin, oxalate foods, and sugary foods will give you the best results, especially when it comes to digestive issues and malabsorption of nutrients.

Ways to eat chia seeds include soaking them for better digestion, adding them to smoothies, using them in baking, or sprinkling them on top of foods. If you eat them dry, be sure to drink plenty of water as their high fiber content can cause indigestion if not properly diluted.