Blended Chocolate Chia

PUDDING RECIPE

3 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/4 C chia seeds
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 Scoop chocolate KS Wellness Protein
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Top with fresh berries or  nuts
  • 1 Tbsp honey

Instructions

  1. Add almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, cocoa powder, protein, vanilla and salt into a high powered blender. Start at a low setting on your blender and gradually increase to high speed.
  2. Slowly add in chia seeds, and mix together until the mixture is smooth. Mixture should be thick.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or until chilled.
  4. When ready to eat, top with berries or nuts

 

Chia Seeds Step Back Up to the Plate as Social Media Goes Berserk Over Goopy Drink

Chia seeds come full circle once more as millions rediscover their benefits with a trending chia “internal shower” drink. 

We all know the drill. Nearly every day, a new diet, food or supplement emerges as the next ‘missing link’ to perfect health and a beautiful physique. But this isn’t Chia’s first rodeo. These nutritious little seeds have been in the spotlight many times over the last forty years. Heck, I think I started eating chia in the late 70s and early 80s when most people were still growing them as pets!  Ch-ch-ch-chia… pet!

The newest chia craze stems from Dr. Daryl Gioffre, who coins himself an anti-inflammation and acid-kicking expert. Dr. Daryl’s internal shower recipe is as follows. Mix two tablespoons of chia seeds, six ounces of water, and a pinch of salt. Then add the juice of half a lemon, let it sit for five minutes and guzzle. 

But once TikTokers grabbed hold of this recipe, it was off to the races as one person after another gave it a try—sharing their experiences on the popular social media platform. Dr. Gioffre’s brew is supposed to sweep the digestive tract resulting in an enormous pooh and slimmed-down tummy. And I must say, I’ve never seen so many people eager to have a pooh!
 

Droves of people are now sharing their experiences with the gooey chia drink—some good and some bad. And though you may be one of those eager to try it, you may also be interested in knowing there are other ways to reap the many benefits of chia seeds.  

The Many Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Obviously, digestion is one of chia’s uses. These tiny seeds are full of insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is a complex carbohydrate that doesn’t break down in the digestive tract. Instead, insoluble fiber acts as a bulking agent forcing contents in your intestines to move along—all the way to the end. So simply adding chia seeds into your diet can help you produce regular and healthy bowel movements. Most of the fats in chia seeds are omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs)—and some omega-6s. You’ll also find two grams of protein in just one tablespoon of chia seeds. And because they are so nutrient-dense, they are considered a super-food.

In essence, these nutrients and the many roles they play in our bodies are the reason chia seeds have become ‘health food famous’ time—and time again. For example, EFAs like those in chia are essential for healthy brain development and cognitive function.

 Chia can also:

With benefits like those, you may be racking your brain trying to figure out how to add more chia to your diet.  I have some ideas! 😊

Easy Ways to Use Chia 
A bit of a disclaimer here. Many experts warn not to eat chia dry but preferably soak it for at least five minutes before consuming—an hour is even better. This is because Chia gels and may become lodged in your digestive tract if there isn’t enough liquid. So even if you blend them, it’s a good idea to soak them first.  
 
You can buy them in powder form too! A 2012 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that people who ate ground chia absorbed much more omega-3 from the seeds than when consumed whole. This might be because the seeds are small and hard to break with your teeth. One could assume that if you soak or blend them, you will get the same effect, though that’s just a theory.
 
You can do a quick google search and come across hundreds of chia recipes, from chia oatmeal to chia jam. Chia is a wonderful replacement for yogurt in smoothies and shakes, and if you’ve never tried any kind of chia pudding, you are missing out… delicious! Even most kids will eat chia pudding; you can make it with chocolate nibs, berries, pumpkin, nut butter or anything else your heart desires. 
 
So go ahead, experiment… go chia crazy! You might as well—the rest of the world has. You can also try this delicious recipe below.