Chia Seed Health Benefits and Simple Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

Have you ever looked a a chia seed pudding recipe and wondered why eat chia seeds at all? What chia seed health benefits are you missing out on by not buying these itty bitty little seeds? I’m always looking for creative ways to boost my family’s nutrition intake. I make tons of smoothies where I can add in flax seed oil. My baked goods are hiding things like chia seeds, wheat germ, and all sorts of other nutritious ingredients. I have recently been reading about chia seed health benefits. These tiny little seeds can really pack quite a bit of a nutritional punch when added to your diet. Chia is a flowering plant in the mint family and is commonly found in central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Historians have indicated that the Aztecs knew all about chia seed health benefits and used it in their own diet centuries ago. So, what are these chia seed health benefits? Here are just a few reasons to add chia seeds to your family’s diet.

Chia Seed Health Benefits

• Chia seeds contain up to 18% of your daily value of calcium per ounce, which is three times more than skim milk. This is a great alternative calcium source for people who do not eat dairy.
• Chia seeds have more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon meaning they are great for heart health.
• Chia seeds stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate of digestion. This is particularly important for people who have diabetes.
• Chia seeds are high in fiber and help improve digestion. They also help fill you up. Chia seeds can absorb up to 10-12 times their weight in water, becoming gel-like and expanding in your stomach. This means you feel full longer and eat less. Always good for the waistline!
• Chia seeds contain about 20% protein, a higher percentage than found in many other grains. They also contain a good balance of essential amino acids which are the building blocks to making protein in our own bodies.
• Chia seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants and contain even more antioxidants than blueberries. Antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which can damage molecules in cells and contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer
• Chia seeds are high in iron, magnesium and many other minerals

If you are intrigued by these chia seed health benefits and want to start eating more of them, how do you add them into your diet? You can bake them into muffins, add them to smoothies, or put them in your morning oatmeal. One of the most popular ways to use chia seeds lately is in chia seed pudding. This is incredibly easy to make and requires no cooking at all. You can vary the flavor depending on your personal taste by just swapping out a few key ingredients. Here is a very simple chia seed pudding recipe to get you started (almost as delicious as lemon pudding!) (almost as delicious as lemon pudding!). Shop through my affiliate link for organic chia seeds on Amazon if you want to start eating more!

Basic Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

Yield: 4

Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

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This chia seed pudding recipe is a health dessert recipe that is loaded with fiber and is easy to make.

Prep Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk, soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, etc
• 1/2 cup Chia Seeds
• 1/4 cup sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, etc)
• 1/2 tsp flavoring (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc)
• fresh fruit/nuts for topping

Instructions

2. In a bowl, add liquid, chia seeds, sweetener and flavor. Whisk together. Pour into small glass jars
3. Refrigerate 4 hours to overnight
4. Stir and top with fruit and nuts.
5. Enjoy!

Looking for more chia seed recipes?

Try this Quinoa and Lavender Chocolate Bark Recipe

 

 

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