A few weeks ago, I was in my office kitchen grabbing cereal before an early 8:00 AM start to the work day when my co-worker grabbed his own cereal and we started chatting about the weekend, latest episode of Serial, and plans for the upcoming holiday.  I was suddenly distracted when he poured a sizable scoop of what looked to me like birdseed into his cereal.

'What's that?' I asked (my co-workers have a habit of knowing the latest and greatest in most things, especially nutrition trends).

'Chia seeds.  I put them on my cereal every morning.  They're an amazing superfood,' he informs me and nods toward the huge tub of seeds before leaving the kitchen.

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He had me at the word 'superfood.'  After several months of noticeably weaker nails, thinning hair, and general fatigue, a friend of mine suggested my body might not be getting the proper nutrients it needs.  I had formed the bad habit (from the busyness of a New York schedule) of eating chips and guac for too many meals, gulping several cups of coffee throughout the day, and skipping any food that required too much prep work.

To put it simply - nutrition was low on my priority list.  But, who wants to lose their hair at 24?  Not me.  I followed my co-worker's lead and mixed these seeds into my cereal and then went back to my desk to do a little chia seed research.

According to The Chia Co, the world’s largest producers of chia seeds, the tiny seeds offer the highest combined plant source of omega-3, fiber and protein, alongside a range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Then I read the following: 'The protein in chia contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.  This is incredibly rare for a plant based source of protein, and makes chia particularly beneficial for vegetarians and vegans.  Amino acids are the building blocks of our bodies and essential for healthy muscles, hair, skin and nails.'  Victory!  I had found a quick and incredibly beneficial food to add to my hurried schedule.  

The protein in chia contains all nine essential amino acids making it particularly beneficial for vegetarians and vegans.

Over the past few weeks, I've added chia seeds to my cereal every morning.  Not only have I noticed a difference in the strength of my nails and hair, but I've felt a boost in energy and I'm no longer fighting the urge to eat before lunch.

As the holiday season comes to a close, these seeds might be exactly what you need to kick back into a nutritious gear and begin your New Year’s resolutions.