Tasty ways to treat yourself to chia starting with just two ingredients
If you haven’t tried chia seed pudding yet, you’re in for a real (and very healthy) treat. There are so many reasons to love chia and so many ways to serve chia pudding that are guaranteed to make your mouth water.
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And yes, we are talking about those same chia seeds of 1980s Chia Pet fame! Chia seeds come from a Mexican plant in the mint family.
Chia seed pudding is a super-tasty and extremely easy way to sneak healthy fats into your diet. Chia seeds are filled with omega-3 fatty acids — the good fats that promote heart and joint health and aid memory.
And according to registered dietitian, Gillian Culbertson MS, RD, besides supplying heart-healthy omega-3s, chia seeds keep your blood sugar balanced and are full of minerals and antioxidants.
“They’re also rich in potassium, iron and calcium,” Culbertson says.
“Chia pudding is the easiest thing you can possibly make because the basic recipe has only two ingredients — chia seeds plus any kind of milk. And what’s easier than that?” Culbertson says.
With chia, there’s no cooking involved. And chia seeds absorb up to 10x their weight in liquid. Just soak them in your milk of choice and these teeny seeds transform themselves into a pudding with a consistency similar to tapioca.
Sound easy enough? Then here are six tantalizing flavor variations she has created from one simple chia seed pudding recipe that are perfect as a snack, dessert or even breakfast!
Nutrition Info — 2 Tbsp chia seeds (28g) with 1 /2 cup (120ml) unsweetened almond milk
(*Total calories, protein and fat will be higher if made using a higher-fat milk, as well as for flavors including chocolate and nuts.)
In a small bowl, combine your chia seeds and milk of choice. Mix well. Set in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, but it’s best to leave chilling overnight.
When you’re ready to eat, give a quick stir. Enjoy as-is, or add any of these tempting toppings to the recipe above to create your own recipe book of delicious chia pudding flavors! Mix and match with your main meal or serve as your final dessert course!
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