Fun ways to eat chia seeds -

Chia seeds are great. These small seeds pack lots of fiber, protein, antioxidants, and minerals, including calcium and magnesium. Plus, they're a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

But these are not your average seeds. Chia seeds have a very specific characteristic; they absorb water and create a gel-like substance. This makes them incredibly versatile when it comes to experimenting in the kitchen. You can eat them AND you can drink them. What's more, they work equally well with sweet and savory foods!

Add chia seeds to your diet and reap the health benefits of this nutrient-rich food. Click through and follow our suggestions.

© iStock

Oatmeal - This breakfast classic can be reinvented every day. Add chia seeds to your oatmeal for a different experience.

© iStock

Pizza - Making a pizza crust with chia seeds is a great alternative to the traditional pizza dough.

© iStock

Soup - Yes, chia seeds work great with soup. Plus, you can use them instead of flour to thicken stews and gravies.

© iStock

Granola - Add chia seeds to your favorite mix of seeds, nuts, and oats, and make a delicious homemade granola.

© iStock

Falafel - Chia seeds can be added to a number of foods, and falafel is no exception. 

© iStock

Ice cream - Chia seeds will add an extra crunch to your ice cream and popsicles.

© iStock

Tea - Add one teaspoon of chia seeds to your tea. Drink it and eat the seeds in the end.

© iStock

Meat thickener -

Instead of adding breadcrumbs, why not use chia seeds as a thickener for your burgers and meatballs?

© Shutterstock

Crackers - Want to add some extra crunch to your crackers? Chia seeds can help!

© iStock

Yogurt - Yogurt is a delicious snack or breakfast, and you can mix it with a lot of stuff. Try it with chia seeds too.

© iStock

Muffins - Next time you bake muffins, makes sure you include some chia seeds. You won't regret it!

© iStock

Dips - Chia seeds can be added to various dips for a different texture. 

© iStock

Protein bars - This is a great alternative to processed protein bars. Google a few recipes and you'll find one to your taste.

© iStock

Cookies - Boost the nutritional value of your cookies with chia seeds.

© iStock

Jam -

Jam is easy to make with chia seeds—and it's delicious!

© iStock

Pancakes - Adding chia seeds to your pancake mix will pack your breakfast with more nutrients.

© iStock

Breakfast bars - Forget about the sugar-packed processed bars. Making your own with chia seeds is a much healthier alternative.

© iStock

Mix - You can also mix chia seeds with other seeds, or even add it to rice or quinoa as a side.

© iStock

Cake - Chia seeds will add a different texture to your cakes and, of course, make them healthier!

© iStock

Coating - Use chia seeds instead of the traditional breadcrumb coating. Or you can simply mix them into your regular one. 

© iStock

Bread - Bake some chia seed bread. It's really tasty!

© iStock

Salad dressing - You can also make you own salad dressing and add chia seeds to it.

© iStock

Salad - And of course, you can just sprinkle some chia seeds on your salad.

© iStock

Stir-fry - The great thing about chia seeds is that they work with both sweet and savory dishes. Try adding some to your stir-fry. 

© iStock

Truffles - These are great snacks. You can mix the seeds with dates, oats, cocoa, and other ingredients.

© iStock

Chia cereal - Swap your regular cereal for chia cereal. You can soak the seeds overnight in milk or a substitute and add fruit, nuts and other stuff the next morning.

© iStock

Topping - Raw chia seeds make a great topping for virtually any food.

© iStock

Smoothies -

Make your smoothies even more nutritious with chia seeds.

© iStock

Chia pudding -

The possibilities are endless with chia seeds. Add flavorings such as vanilla or cocoa for a healthy and delicious pudding.

© Shutterstock

Juice - Chia seeds will add an extra bite to your natural fruit juices. Try it!

© iStock

Water -

Make water more exciting with chia seeds. Squeeze a bit of lemon for a zesty taste.

See also: Supercharge your health with these nutrient-dense foods

© iStock