Blueberry Chia Seed Smoothie

Chia seed smoothie is delicious and healthy! Chia seeds make smoothies healthier, and help keep you full longer. Tips on how to add chia to any smoothie.

This Chia Seed Smoothie is easy, healthy, and delicious!

For an additional morning boost or a midday pick-me-up, I'll turn to this easy Blueberry Chia Seed Smoothie.

Sometimes it's best to just keep it all simple, and this chia smoothie is definitely that. I can list all the ingredients on one hand:

• blueberries,
• strawberries,
• chia seeds,
• almond milk, and
• dairy-free yogurt.

Minimal ingredients usually means you can be picky about the quality of your ingredients as well.

TIP: You can buy laser cleaned and sorted organic white chia seeds. No grit, non-GMO, and raw.

I use almond milk in this chia seed smoothie, so it is vegan and dairy-free. You can use a different milk alternative, or even regular milk.

To change things up, try a vanilla coconut milk. We love this one, which is organic and unsweetened.

How to use chia seeds in smoothies

Can you put raw chia seeds in smoothies?

Yes, you can use raw chia seeds in smoothies. In fact, you don't even need to grind them to extract their nutrients.

Adding chia seeds into my smoothie - does timing matter?

It is worth noting that the timing of when you add the chia seeds into your smoothie actually makes a difference to the consistency and texture of your chia smoothie.

For example, adding raw chia seeds at the start of blending will (1) let them soak longer in the smoothie mix and (2) give them more time to be milled by your blender. Thus making the smoothie thicker.

If you have a low-powered blender or like a more liquid smoothie, you can add your chia seeds towards the end of the blending.

Do you have to soak chia seeds before putting in smoothie?

You don't have to pre-soak chia seeds before putting them in your smoothie, but you can. I usually prefer to soak the chia seeds if I have time.

There is still some debate about whether pre-soaked chia seeds are more nutritious than in their raw state. But in the end, as mentioned earlier, even raw chia seeds will be somewhat soaked by the time you're ready to drink your chia smoothie.

If you do choose to pre-soak your chia seeds, just follow the measured amounts in my recipe below for a balanced consistency.

Should I add chia seeds in my smoothies?

YES. Chia seeds offer both health and flavor benefits.

Health benefits of chia seeds

On the health side, chia seeds are packed with nutrients including iron, potassium, calcium, as well as vitamins C, E, B1, B2, and B3.

Chia seeds are also packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In addition to all that, it's an easy way to get more fiber and protein into your breakfast.

Chia seeds also expand with water, whether that's in the smoothie or in your stomach. You will feel full for longer (hopefully until it's time for lunch!).

Chia seeds make smoothie recipes thicker

As mentioned earlier, chia seeds are an easy (and healthy) way to get a thicker consistency rather than relying on sugary bananas for example.

Chia seeds also give a more textured smoothie experience, with a little bit of crunch. Don't worry, it's not as noticeable as raspberry seeds.

Lastly, chia seeds adds a nutty layer of flavor. It's more subtle than mild, so unless you're really trying to taste it, you might not even notice the chia seeds in your smoothie.

Try these other chia seed recipes

If you're on a general chia seed binge, check out my other recipes I've done which feature these nutrient powerhouses:

• Blueberry Jam with Chia Seeds (low sugar and no pectin)
• Peanut Butter Carob Chia Seeds for Toddlers (vegan and gluten friendly)
• Overnight Chia Seeds in Yogurt
• Chia Seed Pudding with Orange, Carrot, and Ginger Juice (vegan, gluten free, dairy free)
• Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk
• Chia Pudding with Coconut Milk (vegan, gluten friendly, dairy free)
• Healthy Chocolate Chia Pudding (vegan and gluten friendly)