Wheaties are no longer the breakfast of champions. If you've fumbled through your Instagram feed in the past year, you've already seen cereal's new replacement and you've probably double-tapped for the like because this new organic, gluten-free, vegan breakfast fad is oh, so pretty. (Insert emoji with hearts for eyes here.) O-M-CHIA pudding! It's what's for breakfast.
The thing I like about chia pudding most is that it doesn't just look fancy, it actually tastes really good too. And this is coming from a girl who loves a good Krispie Kreme, jelly-filled donut! While chia pudding does contain sugar, it's all-natural (derived only from the fruits you choose to add in) which means your body is able to metabolize the sugars much faster. You'll still get that initial spike of energy without the crash and burn you feel when you eat a donut or Lucky Charms and it's highly unlikely that these sugars will later be stored in your body as fat.
If you're eeked out about texture, well, this might be a dish you have to get used to. For me, a spoonful of chia pudding is like a massage to my taste buds. When chia seeds are soaked in water (or, in this case a mixture of almond milk and banana) they create a gelatinous coating around themselves. This is how we're able to create pudding without that icky (non-vegan) gelatin you find in J-e-l-l-o!
Ok. Now it's time for a few fun chia facts. The word "chia" is actually the Mayan word for "strength." That's because these tiny little seeds contain an enormous amount of protein, fiber, omega-3s, manganese, magnesium and other vitamins like B1, B2, B3, zinc and potassium. So, yes, it will do a body good and keep you full.
Nowadays, you can buy chia pudding in the store but why spend two dollars a pop when you can whip up your own in oh, I don't know, two minutes flat and for a third of the cost? Give it a try and enjoy!
O-M-CHIA Pudding
Ingredients
1/4 cup chia seed
1 cup almond or coconut milk
1 banana
1/2 cup blueberries (or fruit of choice!)
mint to garnish (optional)
Directions
- Combine milk and banana in blender. Pulse until fully blended (about 30 seconds).
- Pour chia seed into liquid and stir with spoon until seed are evenly dispersed.
- Place a lid on your container and allow mixture to solidify over night in the refrigerator.
- Wake up! Add your choice of fruit to the top. Garnish with mint.
- Enjoy!