Today i am sharing with you a super tasty and guilt free pudding dessert made with these tiny, but powerful seeds. This super food seed is quite popular in the health and wellness space. Chia is known for it’s versatility, nutritional profile and so easily digestible especially for those who are allergen sensitive.

 

 

Chia seeds are originally grown in Mexico and packs a punch in energizing one’s well-being. In Mayan language, chia means “strength” and known as a ‘runners’ food due to  warriors and athletes using them as fuel for long distance and during battle. Not only is it known for sustaining energy levels, but numerous health benefits such as:

 

 

Promotes healthy skin

Reduces the signs of aging

Support heart and digestive systems

Stronger bones and muscles

Helps treat diabetes

Weightloss

Fights breast and cervical cancers

Dental health

 

 

 

Being so rich in key nutrients, studies have proven that consuming these little guys on a daily basis can vastly improve your health in all areas such as stated below.

 

 

 

SKIN AND AGING:

Researchers from Mexico have uncovered that chia seeds are highly concentrated with phenolic (antioxidants) nearly 2x higher than previously reported, the activity present has shown to stop 70% of the free radicals activity in the body. Taking chia seeds can ultimately repair systems and prevent further damage.

 

DIGESTIVE HEALTH:

This seed is extremely high in fiber content, providing nearly 11g per ounce. Seeds like chia and flax seeds can naturally balance blood sugar levels in the body.

Due to being high in fiber, chia helps to promote regularity and a healthy stool. Plus helps you feel much full in the long run due to considerable amounts of water and immediate expansion in the stomach when consumed. These seeds create a gelatin-like substance in the stomach. This is due to the soluble fiber in the seeds, which works as a pre-biotic in the gut.

 

HEART HEALTH:

Helps to reverse inflammation in the body, regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure levels too. Chia seeds are quite high in healthy fats, boasting more omega 3’s to help protect the heart by reducing inflammation. To boost your overall wellness consume more chia seeds to protect your heart.

 

HELPS TREAT DIABETES:

Because chia seeds are rich in linolenic acid and fiber it can help with metabolic disorders. Studies have proven these powerful seeds can reverse the whole process in certain diseases.

 

BOOST ENERGY AND METABOLISM:

Just one serving of these seeds can help boost metabolism and burn more belly fat as well. This also enhanced exercise performance for workouts lasting longer than 90 minutes in the same way sugar laden sports drinks, but without the unhealthy excess sugars and additives.

 

STRONGER BONES:

With only one ounce of chia seeds it contains about 18% of the recommended calcium which helps to maintain healthy bone mass and strength. Chia consists of an essential nutrient containing, Boron, which helps to stimulate metabolism, calcium, manganese and phosphorus for healthy bone and muscle growth.

 

BUILD MUSCLE AND WEIGHT LOSS:

Chia seeds are packed with a powerful punch of antioxidants in helping to replace some of the nutrients lost when exercising. Chia seeds are so unique that they can absorb 10x their own body weight in water. This also slows down the digestion and keeps you full and craving less in the process. They are high in zinc which increases leptin to regulate appetite and energy levels.

 

FIGHTS BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCERS:

Chia are rich in omega 3 fatty acids in which limit the growth of cancer cells in these parts of the body. Researchers have found that it caused cell death of cancer cells without harming the healthy cells in the body. Another amazing way these tiny seeds are so incredible.

 

DENTAL HEALTH:

With the healthy amount of calcium and zinc, it helps to prevent tartar on your teeth and has an antibacterial effect that keeps bad breath away.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve never tried chia seeds before, they have a mild, nutty taste and can be easily incorporated into many dishes and smoothies. Now, the best way to retain their nutrients is by either grinding or soaking them in liquid to release the “enzyme inhibitors” that are used to protect the seed.

 

 

HOW TO SOAK:

It’s best to simply mix them in a 1:10 ratio to water, which is about 1.5 tbsp of chia to 1 cup of liquid. Then let it sit for at least 30 minutes to two hours.

 

 

Another option is to pulverize in a blender or coffee grinder and can be utilized in cakes, brownies, muffins, pancakes and pastas. Best to store them in a glass container in the refrigerator. Chia seeds can also be sprinkled on cereal, in your oatmeal, jams and mixed into granola.

 

 

Occasionally, some people may experience side affects by consuming these seeds with stomach discomfort due to large amounts of fiber content. As with most foods, eat in moderation and always drink plenty of water. Below here i listed some great combination flavors to try out. You can create it like a parfait with lovely layers of flavors. So darn good. I would love to hear about your creation with this type of pudding! Do tell. Curious foodies want to know.

 

 

FLAVOR COMBINATIONS:

Peanut butter & banana

Pineapple and coconut

Banana and strawberry

Matcha and coconut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So now that we know about how to utilize these precious seeds and the health benefits, let’s scroll down to the recipe shall we……………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVES: about 4

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups almond milk, or preferred style

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 tbsp maple, or raw honey

dash, sea salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin spice

1/4 tsp allspice

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients together and mix well until thoroughly incorporated. Cover with a lid; place in the refrigerator for overnight. In between the chilling process just stir a few times.

When the chilling process is complete, serve in a decorative bowl or mason jar as is or add some flair with fresh fruit, nuts or herbs. For freshness, this will keep for at least 5 days in the refrigerator.

 

 

 

 

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories per serving 292; total fat 28g; sodium 77g; total carbohydrates 10.6g; dietary fiber 3g; sugars 7g; protein 2.8g calcium 2% ; iron 12% and potassium 7%.

 

 

 

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