If you haven’t tried chia seed pudding yet, you are in for a real (and very healthy) treat. There are so many reasons to love chia, and there are so many delicious ways to serve chia pudding.
Yes, we’re talking about the same chia seeds that made Chia Pets famous in the 1980s. Chia seeds come from a plant in Mexico that is related to mint.
How good for you chia seeds are
Chia seed pudding is a very easy way to sneak healthy fats into your diet. It is also very tasty. Chia seeds are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats that are good for the heart, joints, and brain.
Gillian Culbertson, MS, RD, a registered dietitian, says that chia seeds are full of minerals and antioxidants and give you heart-healthy omega-3s. They also keep your blood sugar level.
Culbertson says that they are also high in potassium, iron, and calcium.
More good things about this pudding
“Making chia pudding is one of the easiest things you can do because you only need two things: chia seeds and any kind of milk. What could be simpler than that?” So says Culbertson.
With chia, you don’t have to cook it. And chia seeds can soak up as much water like 10 times their weight. Just soak these tiny seeds in the milk of your choice, and they will turn into a pudding with a texture like tapioca.
Sounds simple, right? Then, here are six delicious ways she changed up one simple chia seed pudding recipe to make it taste different. These are great as a snack, dessert, or even breakfast.
How to Make a Simple Chia Seed Pudding (1 serving)
Nutrition facts: 2 tablespoons (28 grammes) of chia seeds with 12 cups (120 millilitres) of unsweetened almond milk
- Calories 152*.
- Fat 10g.
- Protein* 5g.
- Fibre 11g.
(*The total number of calories, protein, and fat will be higher if higher-fat milk is used or if chocolate or nuts are added.)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (low-fat, non-fat, soy, almond, coconut, rice, hemp or other unsweetened non-dairy).
- 2 spoonfuls of chia seeds (whole, not ground).
Mix your chia seeds and milk of choice in a small bowl. Blend well. Set in the fridge for at least 3 hours, but it’s best to leave it there overnight.
Give it a quick stir when you’re ready to eat. You can eat it as is, or you can add any of these tasty toppings to the recipe above to make your own book of tasty chia pudding recipes. Mix and match with your main course or serve as your last dessert!
Cocoa Loco Chia Pudding
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 /4 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch some cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Almond chia pudding is sweet
- 1 /4 tsp almond extract
- Cardamom in a pinch
- 1 ml of honey
- 1 tablespoon of cut almonds
Chai Chia Pudding
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 18 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- a pinch of cloves
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Pistachio Chia Pudding
- 1 tbsp pistachios, chopped
- Two drops rosewater
- A little cinnamon
- One or two cloves
- 1 ml of honey
Almond chia pudding is sweet
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- Cardamom in a pinch
- 1 ml of honey
- 1 tablespoon of cut almonds
Chia pudding with chocolate and raspberries
- Fresh raspberries by the handful
- 1 teaspoon of chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp of brown rice syrup
Mango Blueberry Chia Pudding
- 1/4 cup of fresh, diced mango
- Blueberries by the handful
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp. unsweetened coconut shreds
- 1 pinch of raw honey