Nuts

[Guest guest]

Sounds like something to feed to chia pets! Ha ha!!

 

All kidding aside, after I read your email I looked them up online and

they are interesting. I'll check Whole Foods and see if they have

any. I'd like to try a little bit and see how my family likes them. I

used to buy flax seed and grind them up for the Omega-3s, and now we

use walnuts (but not very much, since we are limiting our fat intake).

According to what I've seen online, chia seeds has the highest Omega-3s

of any vegetable source. Good find - and thanks for mentioning them!

 

 

, " Sparrow R Jones "

<sparrowrose wrote:

(snip)

> And chia seeds! I keep asking my co-op to carry chia seeds but since

> I'm the only one asking, they don't have them. If they're not here by

> the end of summer, I'm going to mail-order some. (Or if I find someone

> local who wants to split an order with me, I'll mail-order some

> sooner.)

>

> Sparrow

>

[Guest guest]

On 6/12/08, bigoldog <bigoldog wrote:

>

> I

> used to buy flax seed and grind them up for the Omega-3s, and now we

> use walnuts (but not very much, since we are limiting our fat intake).

 

My understanding is that walnuts are a poor choice for increasing

omega-3 because they have more omega-6 than omega-3 (a 56:11 ratio of

6:3) and the whole point of supplementing omega-3 is to give it a

chance to " catch up " in quantity with omega-6 (because most people

have too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3 and both compete for the

same enzymes) (For comparison, the 6:3 ratio of flax seeds ranges from

2:5 to 25:66:25. Chia seeds have a 1:3 ratio.)

 

The optimal overall balance of omegas ranges from 1:1 to 4:1

(http://tinyurl.com/54cxvw) According to the same article, the typical

American ratio is between 10:1 and 30:1 - thus the commonly-spread

advice to supplement omega-3 to try to shift the overall ratio. (I've

read that the ratio seriously shifted with the introduction of soybean

oil, high in omega-6 and put in a huge number of food products these

days.)

 

Dr. Barnard's program (low-fat vegan for diabetes) says not to take

flax oil or any omega-3 supplementation because a plant-based diet

without added oils is naturally well-balanced and sufficient in

essential fatty acids. So Dr. Barnard classes flaxseed oil with all

other added oils and says to avoid it.

 

I'm interested in chia seeds because you can sprinkle them on salads

without grinding them first and I've been told they have a nice

flavor. Also, you can make a gel from the seeds and mix it with other

foods to " dilute " them (but supposedly it enhances the flavor when you

do it) and I wanted to give that a try to see what it does flavor-wise

to foods. The chia seeds absorb something like ten times their weight

in water and it is the fiber content that makes the gel. I've been

trying to get details on how much fat content is in gel made this way

because I might be able to enjoy a little bit of peanut butter again

if mixing it half-and-half with chia gel cuts the fat content down

significantly without negatively affecting the flavor. It would still

make peanut butter a " sometimes treat " but right now I can't eat it at

all because even a little half-sandwich puts me over my fat gram

allotment for the day.

 

> According to what I've seen online, chia seeds has the highest Omega-3s

> of any vegetable source. Good find - and thanks for mentioning them!

 

You're welcome!

 

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Also, Dr. Esselstyn says that the reason he does not recommend nuts is because there are no long range studies that prove they reverse heart disease. Yes, there are short term studies that improve the lipid profiles. If I understand him correctly, he won't recommend eating them on just short range studies alone. He just won't risk peoples future health on short term studies. Your heart rhythm issues are a separate matter, I can't speak to them. MarthaMark Sutton <msuttonTo:

Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:08:50 PM NutsAt 18:53 +0000 08/06/12, wrote:

>Thanks for the article, Mark. Do you know if there has been a

>similar study done where the fat is from a few ounces of raw walnuts

>or other raw nuts? I eat a few ounces of nuts a day because if I go

>totally fat-free, my heart skips beats and it's very unsettling. The

>nuts do an amazing job keeping my heart beats regular. I don't have

>oils at home, but occasionally ingest it in social situations

>(someone else's house or a restaurant, etc.), and I'm willing to stop

>that, but not convinced I should give up the nuts.

Essy writes (and told me as well) that the "prohibition" on nuts (and to a similar degree, avocadoes) is if you already have heart disease issues.

'Sides, flax seeds and walnuts are excellent sources of Omega 3.

I try to keep my nuts (ahem) raw.... Best, Mark

[Guest guest]

On 6/12/08, Sparrow R Jones <sparrowrose wrote:

> I've been trying to get details on how much fat content is in (chia)

> gel made this way because I might be able to enjoy a little bit of

> peanut butter again if mixing it half-and-half with chia gel cuts the

> fat content down significantly without negatively affecting the flavor.

 

I found the numbers and did the math. Peanut butter is still a " high

fat " food after mixing chia gel in, but it does bring it down a little

closer to something I could enjoy a dab of now and then - not a whole

sandwich, but maybe on a cracker or something.

 

Here's what I found (after I actually try this, I will report back

again on the flavor front.)

 

(all figures are per ounce of food)

 

Chia seeds: 4g protein 12g carb 9g fat (11g fiber)

Chia gel: 0.4g protein 1.2g carb 0.9g fat (1.1g fiber)

peanut butter: 7g protein 6g carb 14g fat (1.9g fiber)

1/2 peanut butter 1/2 chia gel: 3.7g protein 3.6g carb 7.45g fat (1.5g fiber)

 

 

So, as I was hoping, it does nearly cut the fat grams in half on

foods. There may be other foods that are not so high in fat as peanut

butter but still high enough to be off someone's diet that might be

okay again with chia gel added - provided this works as promised. (I

know that online hype can sometimes be far in excess of reality, so

I'm holding judgement until I can taste for myself.)

 

I just thought I'd report back with this because I finally found the

actual numbers and others might be interested to experiment with this

as well.

 

Here is how to make chia gel, by the way:

 

Add 1/3 cup of chia seeds to 2 cups of water, stir well to break up

any clumps, and let sit in your refrigerator for about twelve hours.

It will gel in less than an hour, but the additional soaking increases

the nutritional impact of the gel. The gel stays good in your

refrigerator for up to two weeks.

 

Another set of instructions uses the same ratio of seeds-to-water but

says: Put water (slightly warm mater will form gel faster) into a

container with a tight-fitting lid (e.g., a mason jar). Pour dry seeds

into the water. Shake container for 15 seconds. Let stand for 1 minute

and shake again. This mixture (i.e., basic chia gel) will store in the

refrigerator for 2 weeks.

 

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Hi All- I'm a newbie here. I started following this group for info and idea's since my youngest decided to be a vegetarian. Being strictly of a "meat and potatoes" family I really was a little intimidated by her decision. She isn't vegan, she will eat eggs and dairy, but is very strict about any type of meat product including "meat powder" in rice mixes....I thought I was safe with rice mixes...and McDonalds french fries...she says they are flavored with some kind of beef product (does anyone know if this is true?). I guess I am now what her "teens guide to being a vegetarian" calls a flexatarian, I only eat meat at the most once or twice a week...so I'm on my way and will most likely fully be there by the end of

the year. Any tips?...best books to read?...did most of you go "cold turkey" or ease into it?

 

Sparrow - I am interested in the chia gel and peanut butter idea to cut down on fat. I'm curious how that will effect calories? I'm a Weight Watcher...I lost 69 pounds last year and am trying to maintain that and lose another 5 or 10 pounds. We work on a point system that is firgured using calories, fat and fiber per serving. I think your chia gel idea may make it a bit more usable for me. Do you have anymore info?...or know where I can find it?

Thanks so much,

Michele

[Guest guest]

Michele,

 

First of all, way to go for wanting to learn so you can be supportive

to your daughter.

 

Michele Martin wrote:

 

 

but is

very strict about any type of meat product including "meat powder" in

rice mixes....

 

 

 

Meat powder does indeed still come from an animal. Some rice mixes

will be okay. For example, casbah has a lot of vegetarian ones. Check

the labels.

 

 

I

thought I was safe with rice mixes...and McDonalds french fries...she

says they are flavored with some kind of beef product (does anyone know

if this is true?).

 

 

 

Yes, unfortunately. It was found out some years ago that they did

that. They moved to vegetable oil, but with this flavoring. It made

it slightly healthier than their original formulation, but it is

definitely not vegetarian and definitely not healthy. Baked french

fries are a healthier option, especially homemade ones. You can even

make them fat free!

 

 

I guess

I am now what her "teens guide to being a vegetarian" calls a

flexatarian, I only eat meat at the most once or twice a week...so I'm

on my way and will most likely fully be there by the end of the year.

Any tips?...best books to read?...did most of you go "cold turkey" or

ease into it?

 

 

 

I eased into it. I was what you call a gradual vegetarian. I do

recommend you get some good cookbooks out of the library. My current

favorites are "How it all Vegan" and "Vegan with a Vengence." Okay,

they are both vegan (and your daughter and you are not), but they are

wicked good.

 

 

 

I'm a

Weight Watcher...I lost 69 pounds last year and am trying to maintain

that and lose another 5 or 10 pounds.

 

 

 

 

 

Might I suggest you also join the community boards at

weightwatchers.com and hang out, so to speak, on the vegetarian board.

I go there from time to time myself. I also need to lose another 10

pounds (I have lost 40 already) and the community helps.

 

 

 

We work

on a point system that is firgured using calories, fat and fiber per

serving. I think your chia gel idea may make it a bit more usable for

me. Do you have anymore info?...or know where I can find it?

Thanks

so much,

Michele

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take care,

Aly

[Guest guest]

On 6/13/08, Michele Martin <chell0608 wrote:

>

> Sparrow - I am interested in the chia gel and peanut butter idea to

> cut down on fat. I'm curious how that will effect calories?

 

There are 9 calories per gram in fat and 4 calories per gram each in

protein and carbohydrates. So:

 

peanut butter: 7g protein 6g carb 14g fat (1.9g fiber)

(7*4)+(6*4)+(14*9) = 28+24+126 = 178 calories per ounce

 

1/2 peanut butter 1/2 chia gel: 3.7g protein 3.6g carb 7.45g fat (1.5g fiber)

(3.7*4)+(3.6*4)+(7.45*9) = 14.8+14.4+67.05 = 96.25 calories per ounce

 

Unless my math's sketchy, that's a 46% reduction in calories.

 

> I'm a Weight Watcher...I lost 69 pounds last year

 

congratulations!

 

> and am trying to maintain that and lose another 5 or 10 pounds.

> We work on a point system that is firgured using calories, fat

> and fiber per serving. I think your chia gel idea may make it a

> bit more usable for me. Do you have anymore info?...or know

> where I can find it?

 

Right now, the only place I know to get it is mail order. I can't

specifically recommend one company over another since I haven't

ordered any yet, but a web search reveals lots of mail-order sources.

 

The reason I've held back on ordering thus far is that I want to try

it out first before I commit and most sellers seem to be selling it by

the pound. I want to buy a smaller amount to try it first to see if I

like it and if it will work for me before getting such a big amount.

 

If you live in a larger metropolitan area (I don't) try looking at

your health food stores and co-ops (or call first and ask them if they

have it.). I'm pretty sure I could find it in a store if I could just

get a ride down to Salt Lake some time (I don't drive and that's

hundreds of miles.)

 

I just realized that I haven't checked the local herb store yet, so I

guess I'll give them a call later today. That may be another place you

might find it.

 

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

On 6/13/08, Sparrow R Jones <sparrowrose wrote:

 

> I just realized that I haven't checked the local herb store yet, so I

> guess I'll give them a call later today. That may be another place you

> might find it.

 

Aha! My herb store has it for $2/ounce ($23/pound) so I *will* be

trying chia seed gel soon!

 

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Newbie here. Any good recipes for kids out there? Thanks!Sparrow R Jones <sparrowrose wrote: On 6/12/08, Mark Sutton <msutton (AT) soulveggie (DOT) com> wrote:>> Essy writes (and told me as well) that the "prohibition" on nuts (and> to a similar degree, avocadoes) is if you already have heart disease issues.And from the diabetes front, Dr. Barnard says that nuts and avocadoesare okay for people with diabetes but to limit them. Nuts are

garnish,not snacks. And the preferred recipe for guacamole adds mashed greenpeas (the texture and flavor of avocado renders them nearly invisible,especially if you add salsa to your guacamole) to cut down on theconcentration of fat.> 'Sides, flax seeds and walnuts are excellent sources of Omega 3.And chia seeds! I keep asking my co-op to carry chia seeds but sinceI'm the only one asking, they don't have them. If they're not here bythe end of summer, I'm going to mail-order some. (Or if I find someonelocal who wants to split an order with me, I'll mail-order somesooner.)Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Today I bought some chia seeds at Whole Foods for $16.99 a pound. I

got about a half-pound and had a teaspoon of it dry as soon as I got

home from the store. I couldn't wait to taste it, and I put it in a 3-

ounce paper cup and chewed a little at a time. Since it is supposed to

expand, I am going to be cautious about eating too much at once.

 

The seeds look like poppy seeds, and taste quite mild - a lot like flax

seeds. I may mix it with nutritional yeast (in my little cup) like I

used to do with flax seeds and have it as part of my breakfast. Not a

bad way to get those Omega-3s! I don't plan on making the gel stuff.

 

Did you get some too? Did you taste a little dry? What do you think?

I thought it might be fun to compare notes!!

 

 

, " Sparrow R Jones "

<sparrowrose wrote:

>

> Aha! My herb store has it for $2/ounce ($23/pound) so I *will* be

> trying chia seed gel soon!

>

> Sparrow

>

[Guest guest]

On 6/13/08, bigoldog <bigoldog wrote:

>

> Today I bought some chia seeds at Whole Foods for $16.99 a pound.

 

Good price!

 

> Did you get some too? Did you taste a little dry? What do you think?

> I thought it might be fun to compare notes!!

 

The herb store was closed when I got there. I rang his doorbell just

in case but he was long gone so I will have to wait until tomorrow to

get some. I'd love to compare notes!

 

I'm also thinking about sprouting some and trying chia sprouts. I'm

not sure how to sprout them, but I guess I could just put them on some

terracotta, just like a chia pet. LOL

 

I'll get back to you tomorrow when I've got some. Let me know if yours

swelled up inside you! I didn't even think about that possibility. I

guess it would mean it's good to drink a glass of water when you eat

them so there's something other than you for them to soak up. Kind of

like how you have to drink lots of water when you take that fiber

stuff.

 

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Try http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

 

She also has a book out, just for kids :-)

 

Aly

 

jessi battaglia wrote:

 

Newbie here. Any good recipes for kids out there? Thanks!