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Chia - Athlete Nutrition Brought to You by a Female Business Owner
posted by LHiggs, a Women Talk Sports blogger
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 4:39pm EDT
About LHiggs:
Former competitive fast-pitch softball player and dancer turned steeplechaser with a best finish of 2nd in the NCAA mile and a finalist in the 2008 Olympic Trials 3000m steeplechase. Powered by the Ne...more
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For the last several months, I have been sampling a new product - Chia Chargers. The product was designed around the Chia seed, but is also packed with a lot of other great stuff.
From their website:
Chia seed facts -
I did a little interview with Catherine, one of the owners of Chia Chargers:
Where did you get the inspiration for Chia Chargers?
After reading the book, Born to Run, I became interested in learning more about chia seeds and their health benefits. What I learned prompted me to look for products in my local grocery store that incorporated these tiny nutrient-rich seeds into healthy snacks or bars. It was surprising to find that none of the energy snacks or bars on the market made anything with chia especially since it does not have an overwhelming taste and is very versatile.
I then thought about what flavors complemented each other and what I wanted in a snack.
After tinkering with the initial recipe for a couple of months, I was confident that the time in the kitchen had paid off and that we had developed a product that was not only nutritious, but also delicious.
Is your goal to replicate the supposed hydration benefits described in Born to Run, or to introduce the nutritional benefits of chia?
For right now, our goal must be two-fold.
We have participated in several events and expos and have spoken with many people who care about their diet and are knowledgable about the food that they eat. While the number of people who have heard and read about chia seems to be on the rise, it appears that most people do not yet know the full health benefits. While they may have read about them in a magazine or book or heard about them on television, they may not know that chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and are high in antioxidants, fiber and protein. We strive to educate people about chia and the myriad of health benefits they possess.
The second part of the goal is to always ensure that we are creating products that are healthy and beneficial to our customers. A large part of that is to work with the athletes that we sponsor in order that we receive their feedback which we highly value.
I know that chromate is supposed to help stabilize blood sugar - do you feel there are benefits to having this element in a tightly packed quick food?
While there is no dispute that the human body requires chromium and that a deficiency of this mineral can compromise the effectiveness of insulin, there have been many studies which have tried to understand its effect on athletes, weight loss, muscle gain and how exactly it does facilitate metabolism within cells. An interesting point to note is that our diet may be lacking in chromium since certain agricultural processes often strip our food of this mineral. While research is still being done to fully understand the effect chromium has on the human body, an individual should consult with her doctor regarding the appropriate level to take. For example, the Recommended Daily Allowance varies for younger people versus older people, males versus females, and women who are pregnant.
Who is your target customer?
We have received positive feedback from children to professional athletes. Our target customer comes from a wide demographic: from the athlete who wants to hydrate naturally to the person who reads food labels and wants to recognize the items on the ingredient list to moms who are concerned about the foods that their kids eat.
Are Chia Chargers gluten free? What about other allergies?
5. We are looking to introduce gluten-free Chia Chargers in the future. While our Chia Chargers do contain peanuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds which are allergens, we do not use any dairy or soy in our products. They are also vegan.
We have a line of natural nut butters (peanut, cashew, peanut/almond) made with chia seeds. They are made only with the ground-up nut which is then infused with chia seeds. These items do not contain any ingredients with gluten.
The process of being a start-up food company in NYC is very interesting. Can you talk about the loops you have to jump through to get your product made?
While there are many things that one has to remember and keep track of when starting their own business (filing the paperwork with the State, insurance, accounting, licenses, taxes, to name just a few), it has been extremely rewarding in that I have consistently found people who are willing to help and share their knowledge of starting and operating a business in New York City. This support comes not only from people who work for the city and state, but also like-minded entrepreneurs who remember what it was like to start their business. I cannot emphasize the importance of having a mentor as well.
It has been and continues to be a fulfilling experience.
From their website:
Chia seed facts -
- The chia plant (Salvia hispanica), sometimes referred to as chia sage, originated in the central valley of Mexico and is a member of the mint family.
- Records indicate chia seeds were used as a food source as far back as 3500 B.C.
- It was the third most important crop for the Aztecs, who recognized it as a "superfood" and prized it so highly that it was often used as currency.
- Aztec warriors and runners are believed to have sustained themselves for an entire day
- on just a tablespoon of chia.
- Chia seeds have more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other plant food, including flax seeds.
- Chia seeds are about 20% protein.
- When soaked in water for 30 minutes, chia seeds form a thick gel. This gel also forms in the stomach when chia seeds are consumed. That sounds bad, but researchers believe it actually slows down the rate at which digestive enzymes turn carbs into sugar, making it especially beneficial for diabetics and others with blood sugar issues.
- Chia is hydrophilic and can absorb more than 12 times its weight in water. This makes it helpful in maintaining body hydration, something that is especially beneficial for athletes who need to remain hydrated during races and endurance activities.
- Chia seeds are so high in antioxidants that they do not spoil easily and can be stored for long periods, unlike flax seeds.
I did a little interview with Catherine, one of the owners of Chia Chargers:
Where did you get the inspiration for Chia Chargers?
After reading the book, Born to Run, I became interested in learning more about chia seeds and their health benefits. What I learned prompted me to look for products in my local grocery store that incorporated these tiny nutrient-rich seeds into healthy snacks or bars. It was surprising to find that none of the energy snacks or bars on the market made anything with chia especially since it does not have an overwhelming taste and is very versatile.
I then thought about what flavors complemented each other and what I wanted in a snack.
After tinkering with the initial recipe for a couple of months, I was confident that the time in the kitchen had paid off and that we had developed a product that was not only nutritious, but also delicious.
Is your goal to replicate the supposed hydration benefits described in Born to Run, or to introduce the nutritional benefits of chia?
For right now, our goal must be two-fold.
We have participated in several events and expos and have spoken with many people who care about their diet and are knowledgable about the food that they eat. While the number of people who have heard and read about chia seems to be on the rise, it appears that most people do not yet know the full health benefits. While they may have read about them in a magazine or book or heard about them on television, they may not know that chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and are high in antioxidants, fiber and protein. We strive to educate people about chia and the myriad of health benefits they possess.
The second part of the goal is to always ensure that we are creating products that are healthy and beneficial to our customers. A large part of that is to work with the athletes that we sponsor in order that we receive their feedback which we highly value.
I know that chromate is supposed to help stabilize blood sugar - do you feel there are benefits to having this element in a tightly packed quick food?
While there is no dispute that the human body requires chromium and that a deficiency of this mineral can compromise the effectiveness of insulin, there have been many studies which have tried to understand its effect on athletes, weight loss, muscle gain and how exactly it does facilitate metabolism within cells. An interesting point to note is that our diet may be lacking in chromium since certain agricultural processes often strip our food of this mineral. While research is still being done to fully understand the effect chromium has on the human body, an individual should consult with her doctor regarding the appropriate level to take. For example, the Recommended Daily Allowance varies for younger people versus older people, males versus females, and women who are pregnant.
Who is your target customer?
We have received positive feedback from children to professional athletes. Our target customer comes from a wide demographic: from the athlete who wants to hydrate naturally to the person who reads food labels and wants to recognize the items on the ingredient list to moms who are concerned about the foods that their kids eat.
Are Chia Chargers gluten free? What about other allergies?
5. We are looking to introduce gluten-free Chia Chargers in the future. While our Chia Chargers do contain peanuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds which are allergens, we do not use any dairy or soy in our products. They are also vegan.
We have a line of natural nut butters (peanut, cashew, peanut/almond) made with chia seeds. They are made only with the ground-up nut which is then infused with chia seeds. These items do not contain any ingredients with gluten.
The process of being a start-up food company in NYC is very interesting. Can you talk about the loops you have to jump through to get your product made?
While there are many things that one has to remember and keep track of when starting their own business (filing the paperwork with the State, insurance, accounting, licenses, taxes, to name just a few), it has been extremely rewarding in that I have consistently found people who are willing to help and share their knowledge of starting and operating a business in New York City. This support comes not only from people who work for the city and state, but also like-minded entrepreneurs who remember what it was like to start their business. I cannot emphasize the importance of having a mentor as well.
It has been and continues to be a fulfilling experience.
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