If you’ve never tried chia pudding, you are seriously missing out! Especially if you’ve never tried this Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait! It’s healthy, delicious, and oh so easy to make, and if you’re into meal prepping at any level, you definitely need to add this to your meal prep routine!
Never heard of chia pudding?
I will admit that when I first became vegan, I had never heard of chia pudding – especially when you consider that the first time I went vegan was back in the early 90s! But when I re-discovered veganism about 4 years ago, chia pudding was all the rage and I was like WHAT?!
If you’re anywhere near as old as I am, you may remember Chia pets in the likeness of famous people like Jerry Garcia or this Chia Mr. T
I never thought of chia as something you could actually eat. But lo and behold, it not only makes a great houseplant, but it is also super-nutritious and pretty darn versatile! Even my Mexican ancestors used it as an important part of their diet too!
Whether you’ve tried it or not, chia is definitely something that you should try to incorporate in your diet because it really is a super food!
As Mr. T would say, “I pity the fool who doesn’t eat chia!”
Not that I’m calling any of you a fool, I just thought it was funny 😆
Chia is a true superfood!
A 1 oz serving (2 Tbs) of chia contains:
- 4 grams of protein
- 11 grams of fiber,
- 6x more calcium than milk
- 3x more iron than spinach
- 4x more selenium than flax
- It also has 9 grams of healthy fats – most of which are Omega 3’s, known to help lower risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, and arthritis.
- Several other important nutrients such as manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus, among others, help round out the amazing nutritional profile of chia.
- And one serving contains only 137 calories!
Chia for weight loss
Chia can also be a wonderful addition to your diet if you are trying to lose weight. Not only is it a nutritional powerhouse with amazing health benefits, but because it absorbs liquid, it can swell to about 3x its normal size, thereby making your stomach fuller and decreasing your appetite. And because it absorbs so much liquid, it is great in smoothies, as a pudding, or as a binder that can replace eggs in many recipes.
Food of Ancient Warriors
The ancient Aztecs were well aware of the nutritional value of these tiny seeds and used them to fuel their mightiest warriors! The Aztec and Maya, as well as many other Native American peoples, used chia to sustain energy while traveling long distances or fighting in battles!
But you don’t have to be an Aztec warrior or long-distance runner to benefit from chia!
How to use Chia
I have been putting chia in all kinds of things lately, but two of my favorite ways are in Chia Pudding, or added into a jar of Overnight Oats (recipe is in the ebook). Both of these recipes can be made the night ahead (or even a couple of days ahead), so it is ready to grab on your way out the door to work or school!
Grinding and soaking
However, one thing that most people don’t know is that in order to gain the most benefit from chia, it should be ground or soaked before consuming. Grinding is best. This is because the nutrients and fiber contained within the chia are not readily accessible by the digestive system because it has to break through the outer surface of the seed. Grinding creates more surface area from which the nutrients can be easily accessed and absorbed.
Soaking also makes it much more digestible and nutritionally available, which is why chia pudding is so great! Chia pudding is made by soaking the chia seeds in a liquid such as a plant-based milk – almond, soy, coconut….any kind of milk will do the trick!
Flavoring the chia
From there you can add a vast array of flavors to suit your taste or mood. Try flavoring it with fruit, maple syrup, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, matcha tea powder, turmeric….the list goes on!
Whether you have never tried chia, or you’re a seasoned chia consumer, you must try my recipe for this Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait (recipe below) that features a chocolate chia pudding, layered with crunchy granola, delectable berries, and creamy yogurt. Perfect for a super nutritious and filling breakfast or anytime snack! Layer it in a jar, put on a lid, and it is great for on-the-go!
I hope you will try to incorporate more chia into your diet ,starting with my Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait recipe. It is so simple to make, super nutritious, and oh so tasty! Let me know what you think in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you!
Happy Eating!
Other recipes you will enjoy:
- Easy Banana Bread Pancakes-Gluten Free and Vegan
- Vegan Quesadillas with Black Beans and Kale
- Raspberry Oat Muffins – Vegan and Gluten-Free
- Curry Tofu Scramble
Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait
This healthy and delicious recipe takes Chocolate Chia Pudding to a whole new level!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole chia seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups plant-based milk any variety
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 -4 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup granola
- 15 oz plant-based vanilla yogurt
- 1 fresh mango or banana diced
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds or berries
Instructions
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To make the chia pudding, add the chia, cacao powder, cinnamon, and salt to a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Add the plant-based milk, vanilla, and maple syrup to the dry ingredients. Stir, whisk, or blend with a hand-mixer or in a blender until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Pour the mixture into 3-4 small (8 oz) glass jars or airtight containers, or just cover the bowl and divide it up later. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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When the chia pudding has set, transfer 1/3 – 1/4 of the mixture to clear glasses (or you can just use the jars if they are big enough).
Layer granola, diced mango or banana, yogurt, granola, more mango, more granola, and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds or berries.
Add a final dollop of yogurt and enjoy!
