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Rich in omega-3, fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins; nutritious salad addition
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (medium) of Chia Salad Topping (12 g) has 58 calories. That works out to 486 calories per 100 g. It contains 5.1 g of carbs, 2 g of protein, 3.7 g of fat and 4.1 g of fiber. Its 5.9 µg of Biotin covers 20% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 1 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 12 g
58
KCAL / 12G
Carbs
5.1g
· 2% DV
Protein
2g
· 4% DV
Fat
3.7g
· 5% DV
Fiber
4.1g
· 15% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 33% · Protein 13% · Fat 54%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 58 kcal | |
| Total fat | 3.7 g | 5% |
| Saturated fat | 0.4 g | 2% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 1.92 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 5.1 g | 2% |
| Fiber | 4.1 g | 15% |
| Protein | 2 g | 4% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 12 g | 58 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 4 g | 19 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (thin) | 8 g | 39 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 10 g | 49 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 15 g | 73 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (thick) | 16 g | 78 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 24 g | 117 kcal |
| 3 tablespoon (jumbo) | 36 g | 175 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 486 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 120 g | 583 kcal |
Calculated from 486 calories per 100 g.
Sprinkle chia salad topping over a prepared salad just before serving. Adding it at the end helps the seeds stay distinct and lightly crunchy instead of sitting in dressing long enough to soften.
No, chia salad topping does not need soaking before it goes on a salad. Use the seeds dry for a light crunch; soaking makes them gel-like, which gives the salad a noticeably different texture.
Chia salad topping works well on leafy green, grain, tomato, and chopped vegetable salads. Its mild taste lets the vegetables and dressing remain the focus, and it fits both citrusy and oil-based dressings.
Chia salad topping has a mild, fairly neutral taste. It does not overpower other salad ingredients, so its main contribution is a small, lightly crunchy texture rather than a strong flavor.
Whole seeds are the usual choice for chia salad topping because they remain visible and add a slight crunch. Ground chia can also be used, but it blends into the salad and is less noticeable.
Not when you add chia salad topping shortly before serving. The seeds absorb liquid over time, so leaving them in dressing or a dressed salad for a long while can make them soft and gel-like.
Yes, chia salad topping can be stirred into salad dressing. The seeds thicken the dressing as they absorb liquid, so mix them in shortly before serving if you want to keep the dressing pourable.
Store chia salad topping in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, dark place. Keeping moisture and direct sunlight away helps the seeds retain their quality and prevents them from picking up unwanted odors.
Chia salad topping does not cause weight loss by itself. Its fiber can contribute to a more filling salad, but changes in body weight are shaped by the overall eating pattern rather than one topping.
Yes, chia salad topping can be eaten raw and sprinkled straight onto a salad. It does not need cooking; using it as part of a meal is more practical than swallowing a spoonful of dry seeds alone.
Vitamins
Biotin
5.88µg · 20% DV
B3
1.06mg · 7% DV
B1
0.07mg · 6% DV
B5
0.1mg · 2% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
103mg · 15% DV
Manganese
0.32mg · 14% DV
Selenium
6.6µg · 12% DV
Magnesium
40mg · 10% DV
Potassium ⭐
49mg · 1% DV
Sodium
1.92mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 58 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (12 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Chia Salad Topping is made from the small seeds of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to Central America. The seeds are often scattered over salads as they are, adding a mild, nutty note and a delicate crunch; once they sit in dressing, they soften and absorb some liquid. In its regions of origin and in kitchens worldwide, chia is also used in grain bowls and other everyday dishes. It pairs particularly well with leafy greens, citrus dressing and roasted vegetables.
Chia is notably rich in fibre and provides plant protein, though it is energy-dense; 100 g contains 34.4 g of fibre. A tablespoon is usually plenty for one serving. If you prefer a softer texture, toss it with the dressing and let the salad stand briefly before serving.
Very high
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 1
Unprocessed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.4g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.28g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.94g
Omega 6:3 ratio 0.3:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.