Chia Seed Pudding – Satisfy Your Dessert Cravings

If you have issues with dairy, are diabetic or simply want a healthier alternative to standard pudding, try out this chia seed pudding recipe. This dairy-free recipe can help avoid blood sugar spikes which accompany most desserts and is actually good for you! It may seem odd to create a pudding with seeds, but chia seeds are highly absorbent and after a couple of hours they plump up, become soft and create a delicious, thick texture. The main benefits of this pudding are that there is no added refined sugar and it's high in protein, which are both good for a healthy immune system. Chia seeds are a very unique food in that they are one of the few plant-based proteins that are considered a “complete protein”. This somewhat antiquated term simply means that they contain all 9 essential amino acids. It was widely believed until recently that all of these had to be present in a meal in order to match the protein provided in meat, but more recently the thinking is that it's not essential to have all 9 amino acids in one sitting but these may be consumed at different meals. Either way, chia seeds are still a great choice for vegetarians and vegans and the many others that are trying to add more plant-based protein into their diets. It is important to note that the protein in chia seeds is difficult for your body to absorb, so using ground raw seeds is very important, according to Livestrong.com. In addition to their protein content, chia seeds are also high in fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 ALA and are vitamin and mineral dense. These fantastic traits make chia seeds effective in helping to prevent skin aging, support digestive and heart health, maintain strong bones, treat diabetes, fight breast and cervical cancer and so many more health concerns!

Recent research has found that the chia seeds benefits are even greater than we realized. Chia seeds benefits include promoting healthy skin, reducing signs of aging, supporting the heart and digestive system, building stronger bones and muscles, and more. They’ve even been linked to helping reverse diabetes. Dr. Axe

Click here for printable version of recipe!

Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups natural coconut milk ½ cup raw chia seeds ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Method

If you’re working with whole chia seeds, the easiest method is to place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If your chia seeds are already ground, you may simply hand-mix all ingredients. The vanilla extract, sweetener and cinnamon are all optional and may be swapped for similar ingredients or simply eliminated. Add the mixture to individual glass dishes or jars and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. To serve, garnish with fruit or some fresh mint. Enjoy! Source: Saving the Green Click here for printable version of recipe!

Related Articles

How to Boost Your Immune System Hearty Raw Salad Recipe 7 Superfoods for Weight Loss to Include in Your Diet Vegetable Frittata Recipe