Chia Seed Pudding – Don’t Knock It Til You Try It

by Adam Corl

Remember Chia-Pets? You know … those terracotta pots that were in the shapes of animals and cartoon characters that you planted seeds on top of and only to lose interest despite your mom’s enthusiasm over watering your new “pet”. No? Ok maybe that was just my therapy fodder/ childhood. Either way, chia seeds have become one of big “super-food” items of recent years. 

Despite looking like food for Birkenstock wearing birds these small black seeds pack some serious nutrition. They are a “complete protein” (crucial for all you vegan/vegetarians out there) and are high in a ton of nutrients like calcium and potassium. The reason I gave it a shot was because it contains a ton of Omega-3 acids and fiber – good for keeping both your digestive tract and mood regular.

Fish like salmon and swordfish also have Omega-3’s but carry high price tags (not to mention high concentrations of heavy metals and pollutants). Chia seeds are cheap and do not require pesticides to be cultivated, making them a truly “super” addition to anyone’s diet. 

Eating these bad boys couldn’t be easier. The seeds need to be soaked in a liquid for 20 minutes to a half-hour and before being eaten, but after that you’re set. After the seeds soak up the water they look like tapioca pudding, essentially a gel with seeds floating in it. 

I know it sounds weird, but it doesn’t taste like anything and can be added to smoothies and rice dishes for an extra nutrition boost. 

I like eating them for lunch. The great thing is that they soak up any liquid you put them in (two tablespoons per one cup of liquid). For a quick filling snack or lunch you can soak the seeds in orange juice, it’s seriously the easiest snack ever and fills you up big time. 

If you have a little more time try this coconut mango chia dessert recipe:

For an individual serving you will need the following

• 1/2 cup of low fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup almond or soymilk (vanilla or unsweetened)
• 1 small mango (diced small)
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• Shredded coconut (for a sweet kick / garnish)

Directions

Combine all the ingredients (except the shredded coconut) in a medium sized Tupperware container and mix well. Put the cover on the container and let chill in the refrigerator for an hour or two (it tastes better the longer you wait). Serve in a dish or glass, top off with the shredded coconut, and feel good about your life choices.