Hydrating Chia Seeds: 3 Consistencies

I'm sure most people are aware of chia seeds, but I know that a lot of people aren't sure how to use them.  You can certainly eat them dry (i.e. throw a tablespoon into your cereal), but I prefer to hydrate mine first.  For me though, there isn't a one-measurement fits all hydration; the consistency is determined by the how I plan to use it.

(Left: 1 Tbsp/cup, Middle: 2 Tbsp/cup, Right: 3 Tbsp/cup)

If you want to have a nice drinkable chia seed mixture, use a one Tbsp. to one cup ratio.  So, mix one tablespoon of dry chia seeds with one cup of liquid.  I like to use plain water and add a healthy squeeze of lemon juice and let it sit overnight.  It makes the perfect hydrating, detoxifying, metabolism-waking morning drink.  Just pull it out and chug it down.  As you can see in the jar on the left, this mixture is the least dense and would be easy to drink.

If you want a gel to add to porridge or oatmeal, but you don't want it to change the texture of your breakfast (i.e. make it too thick or too runny) hydrate in a two Tbsp. to one cup ratio.  You can either premix a large batch of gel for the week, or reduce your fractions and make just the amount you need each day.  If I know that I will be using it throughout the week, I like to mix it in advance.  Mix half a tablespoon of chia seeds with a quarter cup of water or milk, let it hydrate and mix it into your breakfast.  It should blend nicely without watering it down or making it too thick.  This mixture is a little bit thicker than the one that has only one tablespoon, but still has a bit of extra liquid around the seeds.

One of my favorite ways to eat chia seeds is as a dessert.  Mixing in a 3 Tbsp. to one cup ratio will give you a nice, thick, pudding-like consistency.  Three tablespoons of chia seeds to one cup of liquid, such as  milk, plus the flavoring of your choice will give you a great dessert that isn't loaded up with sugar.  Just be careful about what additives you use to flavor your chia.  This mixture is the most dense and doesn't leave any excess liquid floating around in the container.

As with any new food that you may be trying, introduce it into your diet slowly and don't go overboard.  You don't need to consume chia seeds at every meal!