Chia can do a lot more than foliate a day pet, some nutritionists believe.
All these years we've been growing chia pets, who knew we ought to have been eating them?
Vancouver-based Cobs Bread has introduced its new range of breads made from chia seed, the very stuff that makes ch-ch-ch-chia pets grow, calling it a "new superfood."
(Not to worry: the breads themselves look ordinary enough, and you won't see your toast sprouting into the shape of a ram.)
The special ingredient "is a source of omega-3 fats that help maintain a healthy body and mind as well as fibre and protein that keep you feeling fuller for longer," the company says on its web site.
According to Australia's Adelaide Now, chia seeds have been a staple food of the Aztecs for thousands of years and are also rich in vitamins and minerals. A tablespoon of chia seeds contain as much calcium as two cups of milk, as well as iron, magnesium and B vitamins, Adelaide Now reports.
While common wisdom dictates you shouldn't eat your pets, this might be one of the few exceptions. At any rate, it probably tastes better than your pet rock.
Wency Leung