This post details 3 of my favourite interpretations of the ever-elusive ‘healthy dessert’. Whilst chia seeds have been milling around since the days of the Aztec Empire some 450 years back, only recently have they emerged as a big piece of the ‘superfood’ jigsaw puzzle. They seem to wield diplomatic immunity over the health laws; they’re good for your heart, brain and body with seemingly no significant disbenefits. And whilst each seed is tiny, its superpowers are disproportionately sized, as if they’re some kind of ‘David & Goliath’ of the nutrition world. They boast the ability to… expand up to 9x their original size when they encounter water – making you feel fuller for longer, and it takes the body longer to remove the water and therefore keeping you hydrated for longer too. They also offer a very high antioxidant content, are a great source of protein, as well as an almost-impossibly rich source of Omega 3 (8 times more than salmon! Yes 8, no that’s not a typo. I know!). Chia seeds are also great for digestion and ensure sustainable energy throughout the day; plus did I mention they’re a good source of iron and are great for healthy skin, hair and nails?!
These versatile little giants are incredibly easy to use and can be thrown into almost any meal to up the nutritional quality. I sprinkle them on salads, in fish/meat dishes, into my batches of muesli, into smoothies, or even include them in healthy desserts! Since I’ve been receiving quite a few emails requesting a healthy little dessert idea, here are my 3 favourite variations of chia seed puddings – pick the one that tickles your fancy, and enjoy :)
1) ‘WAKE ME UP!’ Matcha green tea! – (more on matcha tea in my previous post here)
Ingredients.
C. 13 tbs almond milk or water
1 tsp matcha powder
3 tbs chia seeds
1 tsp of honey
1 tsp of vanilla extract
handful of raspberries & blueberries for delicious decoration on top!
Instructions
1. Start by blending/whisking the almond milk, vanilla extract, and matcha together.
2. Add the chia seeds to the mix. Stir and keep stirring every 10 minutes or so for 20 minutes
3. Let the chia seeds absorb the liquid and expand for at least an hour or over night in the fridge.
4. Pop some berries of your choice on top and Voila!
2) ‘NAUGHTY BUT NICE’ – 80%-cocoa chocolate, coconut water & coconut flakes!
Ingredients
1. One square 80%+ dark Lindt chocolate
2. 2 tbs shredded coconut
3. 3 tbs chia seeds
4. 6 tbs water, 6 tbs coconut water (preferably fresh from a coconut).
5. Sprinkle some coconut and chocolate flakes on top for decoration and added texture
Instructions
1. Start by pouring the coconut water and regular water into a bowl.
2. Add the chia seeds to the mix.
3. Shred the one square of chocolate and with the coconut flakes add it to the mixture.
4. Stir and keep stirring every 10 minutes or so for 20 minutes
5. Let the chia seeds absorb the liquid and expand for at least an hour or over night in the fridge.
6. Pop some berries of your choice on top and Voila!
3) ‘MANGO & ALOE VERA MOJITO’ – Aloe Vera, Mint & Mango!
Ingredients
1. 1 mango
2. 3 tbs of Chia seed
3. 5 tbs Aloe Vera juice,
4. 7 tbs water
5. a handful of fresh mint
Instructions
1. Start by cutting the mango into small pieces.
2. Press half the mango into a sieve to extract the juice into a bowl. .
3. Mix the water, aloe vera and mango juice into a bowl.
4. Add some chopped mint, and small mango pieces to the juice
5. Finally add the chia seeds to the mix. Stir and keep stirring every 10 minutes or so for 20 minutes
3. Let the chia seeds absorb the liquid and expand for at least an hour or over night in the fridge.
4. Pop some chunky mango pieces and fresh mint on top for decoration and Bon Ap!!
———————————————————–
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
ELLE MAC-PH TALKS ‘FIT‘
PROTEIN CHOC MUFFIN
MATCHA GREEN TEA
FRUITY BENEFITS
