Chia Seed Lemonade
Ingredients
- 10 oz lemonade or pink lemonade
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1 strawberries sliced
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix lemonade and chia seeds and refrigerate. Stir occasionally while chia seeds plump up (about 20 minutes).
- Serve with strawberry and lemon wedge for garnish.
- Note: you can make your own lemonade! First make a simple syrup. Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let simple syrup cool completely. Combine simple syrup with additional water and fresh lemon juice to desired taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Not familiar with chia seeds? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wrote an article on the health benefits of chia seeds. Here are the highlights:
Chia seeds
- are a member of the mint family
- is technically called Salvia hispanica seed
- was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet.
- contains 138 calories per ounce (with 4.7 grams of protein and 9.8 grams of fiber)
- are an excellent source of magnesium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acid and a good source of calcium, iron, thiamin and niacin.
- may help improve cardiovascular risk factors such as lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.
Chia seeds are also added to water or fruit juice for a flavorful drink. This inspired our Chia Seed Lemonade recipe. Our Chia Seed Lemonade is also a great alternative to those who are refraining from drinking alcoholic beverages or to balance out a party with a non-alcoholic beverage with an additional festive option.
For more recipes on how to use chia seeds, take a look at our blog. How about chia seed pudding?
Here is a recipe to help you use your chia seeds in a pudding.
We would love for you to try our Chia Seed Lemonade and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Klara Knezevic is a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Maryland. She has over a decade of experience in the nutrition field and currently serves as the CEO and co-owner of Rebecca Bitzer and Associates, one of the largest nutrition private practices in the country. Klara is passionate about sharing practical nutrition tips to help you feel confident in the choices that you make. Coauthor ofCooking with Food Sensitivities Survival GuideandNourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating.
I love this recipe! I use chia seeds to thicken my smoothies all the time and think they’d make drinking lemon water a lot more fun!