Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding recipe needs no cooking at all. A healthy, power packed and nutritious pudding that your whole family can enjoy. Meet Chia seeds, a brand new super food that has taken the world by a storm. Everyone is talking about it. But hey it totally deserves every bit of our time and I’m speaking from my own experience of using the super seed for more than 6 months now. You can eat this Chia pudding as breakfast or for dessert but I love digging into it for snacking after my post yoga session.
The first time I saw it was when my friend got me a pack last August and once I started using it, I was hooked. My kids are crazy about it and eat it with so much zest without any complaints.
At first glance it looked like the regular sabja seeds or falooda seeds. They both grow in size when soaked in water, both are nutritious and are natural body coolants. I felt that while sabja seeds needs a minimum of 10 mins to soak up liquids, chia seeds take a longer time. In fact it tastes more yummy, the more it is soaked. I had frozen strawberries to last me a year and I loved using them in making this quick pudding.
Why Use Chia Seeds?
Are you a vegetarian like me and looking for a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, then chia seeds are for you. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower blood pressure and are also good in lowering inflammation. I suffer from low blood sugar level and digestive problems and Chia seeds being a hydrophilic seed (meaning it can absorb large quantities of water) keeps my body not only well hydrated, but also balances blood sugar levels and soothes the digestive tract.
Improves Digestive Health:
Given the high fiber content in chia seeds, it’s not at all a surprise that they play an important role in digestive health. It gives a feeling of fullness after eating, which helps with weight loss because of its high fibre content.
Energy Level Improver:
My elder one is sitting for his board exams and he is always complaining of general fatigue, especially this year. Chia seeds are good for people like him, for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, people who work 18 hour a day. Eating chia seeds is a natural way to boost your energy levels to an all time high.
Weight Loss:
Chia seeds is a natural metabolism booster. It is a high source of plant based protein, which will build lean muscle that helps you to burn more fat. As chia seeds absorb 10 times their weight in liquid, they slow down the digestion and keep you full and hydrated longer.
Not only that chia seeds are also packed with antioxidants and essential minerals including phosphorus, magnesium, boron and others. So incorporating chia into your diet will help replace many of the nutrients lost during exercise.
Bone & Dental Health:
You all now how important is bone health to women after 30 and how important calcium intake is for the bones. Just 1 ounce (28 gms approx.) of chia seeds has 18% of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Additionally, chia’s abundance of zinc helps prevent tartar build-up and fight bad breath.
How to use Chia Seeds?
Soak a few tablespoon of chia seeds in any liquid of your choice. It can be fruit juice, milk, yogurt or plant based milks like almond milk, oat milk and soy milk. Make sure you soak them for a minimum of 4 hours or longer. I soak them overnight. If the climate is cold, you can leave the bowl on the kitchen counter or to be safe, place the bowl in the refrigerator.
First time when I used chia seeds, I just sprinkled them on top and mixed with a spoon and let it rest, the next day I realised my mistake. Because it did not distribute well and there were small clusters of lumps. So an uniform and even distribution of chia seeds are important.
They next time I got clever and after sprinkling them on top, I grabbed my balloon whisk and holding the handle between my 2 palms I swished back and forth for a few mins, which did an awesome job. Another time, I decided to simplify it by putting the liquid and Chia in a bottle and shook it well. It worked out even better. Remember James Bond saying, “Shaken, not Stirred". This phrase works well while soaking Chia Seeds in liquid.
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding Recipe details below:
Recipe
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- Strawberries - 200 gms
- Milk - 1 cup
- Yogurt - ¾ cup
- Sugar or honey - 4 tbsp
- Chia seeds - 3 tbsp
- Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Instructions
- In a blender add hulled strawberries, sugar or honey, milk, yogurt, vanilla and blend well.
- I prefer having bits of fruits, so I just use the whipper button and pulse for few seconds.
- Transfer to a bowl and add chia seeds.
- Using a balloon whisk, holding the handle between both your palms, swish back and forth for the seeds to distribute evenly.
- Close the bowl and keep in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight. I leave it overnight.
- Top with more strawberry slices and enjoy.
- You can have this strawberry chia seed pudding either as a breakfast, post workout snack or for dessert.
Karen
Can you use almond milk? And almond milk yogurt?
Radhika
Yes, of course, substitute with any plant milk & yoghurt of your choice.
Revathi
Lovely recipe ... I have heard about this seed but not sure how to use it. It is so nice to know all the varied benefits this chis seeds has to offer.. Nice one Radhika ..
Radhika
Thank you Revathi. Do give it a try. You will benefit a lot.
Sarojini
Lovely! Have you tried this with cacao yet?
Radhika
Not yet Sarojini. I do not get cacao nibs here. Must check out its availability online in India.