Do chia seeds need soaking?

Comments

• RawRawRawGal

  I love chia seeds. I eat them sprinkled on top of salads! No soaking required.
• rawsweetwendy

  Thank you both so very much for answering my question. As we are very new to raw foods I have been trying different cracker recipes for our children. Thanks again both of you!!
• rawsweetwendy

  Do chia seeds not have enzyme inhibitors like other nuts and seeds that require soaking?
• rawsweetwendy

  Thank you deasmiles! My understanding was that chia seeds contained enzyme inhibitors similar to other nuts and seeds that interfere with digestion. That is why nuts and seeds require soaking. The apple, cinnamon, chia pudding sounds wonderful. Do you have a recipe for it. I am very interested in it. Thank you everyone for your replies, I really appreciate them.
• musiclvr56 Raw Newbie

  I put chia seeds in my smoothie without soaking them.  Does not soaking versus soaking them have the same nutritional value?  Thanks!

  
• Harmony1 Raw Superstar

  I believe that the nutrients are easier to absorb and digest when the seeds are soaked, so go ahead and soak them all you want! 
• tierneyr Raw Newbie

  I usually let it soak overnight, though it isn't necessary to soak that long. You should soak it till it forms a paste/gel like consistency and it would take at least 2-3 hours, though this website claims under ten minutes (time might vary depending on the batch of the seeds). You could also soak it in any juice or fruit extract as well.

  Additionally, you can also use it in its raw form without soaking, the way one would use poppy/sesame seeds.

   

  
• LushKoko Raw Newbie

  powerlifer said:

  No there fine without soaking:), infact you can eat them straight from the spoon etc.

  Some people make chia gel which is chia mixed with water but again its not necessary.

   

   
• LushKoko Raw Newbie

  It is risky if you do not soak them. Chia seeds have the ability to expand  up to 27 times their normal weight in water. Because of this, if the seeds get lodged and expand in your esophagus or stomach lining, it can cause an obstruction and can be quite difficult for the doctor to remove. There have been many E.R. cases relating to obstrucions in the espohagus and bowel caused by consuming un-soaked chia seeds. Here are a couple of articles you can check out for yourself on why it is important to soak chia seeds before consumption. http://www.webmd.com/diet/20141021/use-chia-seeds-with-caution-researcher-warns and the other one: http://www.healwithfood.org/constipation/chia-seeds-cause-relief.php

  Chia seeds are an awesome super-food, but it's also a great idea to play it smart and do some research before hand.  

  Stay healthy and be safe!
• jacksonp Raw Newbie

  Be sure to pick up the white or black seeds and avoid red seeds, which are immature.
• jacksonp Raw Newbie

  rawsweetwendy said:

  Thank you deasmiles! My understanding was that chia seeds contained enzyme inhibitors similar to other nuts and seeds that interfere with digestion. That is why nuts and seeds require soaking. The apple, cinnamon, chia pudding sounds wonderful. Do you have a recipe for it. I am very interested in it. Thank you everyone for your replies, I really appreciate them.

   Here's a recipe for Cashew Chia Seeds Pudding http://getgreensmoothies.com/cashew-chia-pudding/ you might like.