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Rich in omega-3, fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Chewing increases nutrient absorption.
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (medium) of Chewed Chia Seeds (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 piece (small) | 10 g | 49 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 15 g | 73 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 24 g | 117 kcal |
| 1 ounce (medium) | 28 g | 136 kcal |
| 3 tablespoon (jumbo) | 36 g | 175 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 486 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 140 g | 680 kcal |
Calculated from 486 calories per 100 g.
They can make some nutrients more accessible because chewing cracks the seeds’ tough outer coating. That does not mean your body absorbs every nutrient, and chewing does not turn chia into a supplement or guarantee a specific health effect.
No. Soaking is optional and mainly changes the texture, making chia soft and gel-like. If you prefer not to soak it, mix the chewed seeds into a moist food and have a drink alongside.
Yes. Stir chewed chia seeds into the oats and liquid before refrigerating them overnight. They help thicken the mixture, so add extra liquid if the oats become denser than you like.
Yes, they absorb liquid and can make a smoothie thicker as it stands. Blend or stir them in, then drink the smoothie soon after; add more liquid if the texture becomes too gel-like.
Yes, they can, especially if you suddenly eat a large amount. Chia is very high in fiber, so start with a small portion and increase it gradually if it agrees with you.
Yes, having liquid with them is sensible. Chia absorbs water and forms a gel, while adequate fluid also helps fiber move through the digestive system. Mix the seeds into a moist food or drink water alongside.
Not reliably on their own. Chia can help bind a recipe when mixed with water to form a gel, but chewed seeds may give a different texture and binding effect; follow a recipe designed for chia as an egg substitute.
If you chewed them in your mouth, eat them straight away rather than storing them; saliva introduces moisture and microbes. If you mean chia that was mechanically crushed, keep it in a sealed container away from heat and light.
They can be part of a pre-workout snack, but their high fiber content may feel heavy during exercise. Try a small amount well before training rather than eating a large serving just beforehand.
Ordinary chewing does not destroy the omega-3 fats. Once the seeds are broken, however, their contents are more exposed to air, so avoid leaving chewed seeds out for a long time before eating them.
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.
Chewed chia seeds are the small seeds of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to Mexico and Central America, eaten after chewing. Chia is also commonly soaked until it forms a soft gel, or stirred into foods such as oats, yoghurt and smoothies. Chewing the seeds is simply another way to eat them, on their own or as part of a meal.
They have a mild, earthy taste and a tiny crunch. In Mexico and elsewhere, chia is used in drinks and everyday dishes; English-speaking cooks often add it to breakfast bowls, yoghurt or overnight oats. These seeds are particularly high in fibre and provide plant-based omega-3 fats. For an easy breakfast, mix them into yoghurt or oats and allow time for them to soften; if eating them dry, have a drink alongside.
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
2.84g
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.