Think that chia seeds and flax-seeds are expensive?
Let’s look at the cost of OTC products for constipation from Drugstore.com
Metamucil fiber wafers – $5.49 for 12 wafers (~$0.45 / wafer)
MiraLAX – $19.99 for 30 doses ($0.67 / dose)
And just for fun let’s look at the ingredients for sugar-free Metamucil powder (orange flavor):
Psyllium Husk, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Orange Flavor, Aspartame, FD&C Yellow No. 6
Um, no thank you.
Compare that to the cost of chia seeds and flax-seeds from Amazon.com
1 pound of chia seeds for $7.95 ($0.25 / 0.5 oz.)
24 oz. bag of flax-seeds for between $3-$4 (~$0.8 / 0.5 oz.)
If you take 1 oz. a day of chia seeds and 1 oz. a day of flax-seeds that would be about $0.32 / day. Less than it would cost to take a drug and a hands-down healthier (natural) remedy for constipation.
The fiber in chia seeds and flax-seeds does more for your body than just help to prevent constipation. It helps protect your heart by lowering the “bad” cholesterol and reducing the levels of fats circulating in the blood. It also helps slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars in your body and regulate the release of sugar into the bloodstream. The gel that forms when chia seeds are soaked in liquid also acts to slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars. Promising research shows that this may help some people with diabetes control their blood sugar. As always, if you have diabetes, please be sure to check your blood sugar regularly and follow the treatment plan given to you by your physician.
Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Chia Flax Smoothie
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 Tbsp. ground flax-seeds
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I use unsweetened vanilla)
1/2 banana whipped (or use 1/4 cup applesauce, pumpkin)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. coconut flour
optional sweetener (1 tsp. agave or honey) (use stevia for a no calorie sweetener)
In a medium cup or mug mix the chia and flax-seeds with the almond milk. Let sit for about 20 minutes.
While the chia/flax mixture is sitting, mash 1/2 of a ripe banana and whip it using a fork.
When the 20 minutes is up stir in the whipped banana, cinnamon, and coconut flour. The whipped banana gives this smoothie the perfect sweetness to me so I don’t add any extra sweetener but you can if you desire.
So Delicious!! The coconut flour gives it a doughy creamy texture!
Swirl peanut butter deliciousness into you smoothie.
It’s interesting how some people without hesitation will buy drugs to remedy their problem but complain about the price of health and organic foods.
Question –> Do you avoid buying certain “health foods” or “organic foods” because of the cost (like a pound of chia seeds for $8)? Or do you view food as medicine (a natural way to prevent disease) and feel that $8 is a small price to pay to protect and preserve your health?
♥ Lisa @ Healthful Sense 
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Tags: almond milk, breakfast, chia seeds, constipation, dessert, diabetes, fiber, flax-seeds, gluten-free, recipe, vegan
I keep seeing chia seeds recommended in smoothies. I’m going to have to buy some. Thanks for the advice and the smoothie looks delicious.
For the question…I don’t let cost deter, but I am single and 55 so have the budget and desire to eat well. I do think it could be difficult for a young family particularly.
Chia seeds – I sprinkle them on things throughout the day as they have no flavor so painless to incorporate them. I also use psyllium husk – not Metamucil, you can buy plain psyllium without the additives and psyllium has similar benefits and no flavor. I like to spread both through the day, otherwise, I tend to feel bloated. I make sure I’m drinking plenty of water or herbal tea (herbal tea is my smoothie liquid).
It hasn’t been too difficult because we sacrifice in other areas of our budget. For example, we don’t eat out much unless we’re on vacation. It is such a priority for me to make sure I am feeding my family healthy foods!!
That sounds fantastic!!!!! I never would have thought of “whipping” a banana, but I’m going to try this right now! The only change I’ll make is using So Delicious coconut milk instead of almond milk. I can’t wait!!!
I never would have thought to add flour. I often avoid purchasing certain things that are too $$$, but if I’m jusy dying to try it, I don’t mind an occasional splurge.
This smoothie looks absolutely delicious!
It’s so funny you wrote about the cost of Chia seeds bec the cost was preventing me from buying them months ago but I recently noticed that one bag lasts forever! They are so yummy, nutritious, and versatile! 
I put off buying chia seeds due to the price factor…but finally broke down, and, oh, they are one of my favorite foods! I don’t know what I’d eat for breakfast if it wasn’t for overnight oats with chia seeds. And yuck, breaking down ingredients in any alternative to natural cures is always cringe-worthy. Your smoothie sounds good! Coconut flour is another one of those ingredients I’ve been putting off purchasing…guess I should go ahead and try that one, too
I love the idea of adding the coconut flour! I’m so obsessed with the stuff now – can’t believe it took me so long to try.
I’ll totally splurge on certain foods I know my body loves. Kombucha is the biggest one. Luckily my local framer’s market has things like chia at a very, very reasonable cost so I don’t have to splurge on everything.
I used to dread spending more money on *good* food, but then started to see all of the benefits of eating really good food. I swear by chia now, and buy a lot of my groceries from the health food store near my house – totally totally totally worth it, hands down!
I put chia or flax in my smoothies all the time, although I don’t let it it and “gel”. Love the addition of coconut flour-will definitely have to try that next time! NIce comparison of flax and chia v. OTC products for constipation
I spend too much on food though I guess that’s debatable. I see it as professional research, medicine and pleasure. I save elsewhere (though that’s debatable too).
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i totally would combine flax and chia together with almond milk! i would add a dabble of cinnamon and banana too. lol.
great minds think alike.
You can certainly use these as meal replacers during a weight loss or body cleansing regimen.
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