Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are a fabulous source of Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and fibre. According to WebMD, an ounce of chia seeds (about 2 tablespoons) contains 138 calories, 10 grams of fiber, 9 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein, and 17 percent of your daily Calcium needs, 12 percent of your iron and 23 percent of your magnesium.

Chia seeds are now readily available and there are a plethora of creative recipes on-line. They can be added to smoothies, baked into muffins, bread or cookies, or sprinkled onto granola or other cereals and made into pudding.

My favorite recipe is for Chia Pudding. Loved by both children and adults, it is super easy to prepare and is a yummy snack, dessert or breakfast. I often recommend this to my pregnant patients that are looking to increase their omega fatty acids (great for brain health in mom & growing baby) and have a tendency to get a little constipated. A single one-ounce serving contains 5 grams of omega-3, and the seeds do not need to be ground like flax seeds. Here is a base pudding recipe and there are infinite adaptations possible!

RECIPE

• 1 cup milk of choice (almond, cashew, oat, coconut) My favourite is coconut.

• 1/4 cup of chia seeds

• 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract (optional)

Simply mix these together put some toppings on top and leave in the fridge to thicken.

Some toppings to choose from include:

• berries, cocoa nibs, nuts and seeds, cinnamon, nut butter, banana - the options are endless!

*leave in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Enjoy x