I got a question this week on LinkedIn (yes, you can find me there!) about chia seeds so let’s take a look:

What are they?: They are small black seeds from the chia plant which is native to Mexico and Guatemala.   They look a little like poppy seeds but are larger.

What’s the benefit of eating/using or cooking with them?
Chia seeds are a source of fiber, omega 3-fatty acids, and protein.  

The one micronutrient that most all would do well to increase is fiber.

“Fibermaxxing” has had a moment on TikTok with people conducting fiber challenges to see how much they could consume.

Most Americans don’t come close to getting sufficient fiber in their daily diet.

Two of the trends/fads that you can expect to see reflected in products on the shelves at your local Ingles Markets are callouts for protein amounts and callouts for fiber amounts.  

Both protein and fiber are macronutrients. 

Most people think about protein coming from meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products and fiber coming from fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  

What are omega 3-fatty acids? They are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) that can be found in various foods.

What are the health benefits? There have been a variety of claims about the benefits of omega 3-fatty acids from heart health, eye health and reducing inflammation to reducing risk of certain cancers, however, most of this is not conclusive and is based on observational data. 

If you’re looking for some non-alcoholic beverage ideas for your holiday guests,  here are some local ones to consider:

• Asheville Tea Company (Asheville NC) — look for their boxes of teas, particularly the seasonal blends.  

Question: Can drinking tart cherry juice help with my knee pain due to osteoarthritis?

Answer: While tart cherry juice isn’t harmful, the research proof of its efficacy to reduce pain or inflammation due to arthritis just is not there. 

Did you know that you can find locally roasted coffee (beans and ground and even some K-cups!) at Ingles Markets?  

Be sure and look for these (and more) local coffee roasters at your Ingles Market, either on the local food shelf or on their own display: 

One thing I’ve been noticing lately on social media is a reference to “struggle meals”. These are easy, economical meals to make when money (and time) is tight. Often these meals start out with staple foods with protein like beans, cheese, canned tuna, peanut butter and eggs and then add in or have with starches and vegetables.

Here are some ideas of typical “struggle meals:” 

Be sure and check out the beer/wine and cider section of your Ingles Markets where you’ll find local and regional beer, wine and cider. 

I love buying fresh vegetables, especially when they’re in season, and they look/smell great. But this doesn’t mean that frozen and canned vegetables don’t deserve a place in your fridge, pantry or in your recipes.