I love healthy, easy snacks and this one is perfect. It’s packed with fiber rich chia seeds and fruit, and will give you lasting energy and a quick pick me up on the go.
You’ll reap benefits from healthy ingredients like:
- Cinnamon, which is an antioxidant that helps lower blood cholesterol, regulate blood sugar (which helps with cravings), can alleviate headache and migraine symptoms, and boosts both cognitive function and memory.
- Cherries, which contain anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that can aid in the reduction of heart disease and cancer, and can reduce not only inflammation after exercise but also symptoms of arthritis and gout. Cherries are also a good fiber source and are rich in Vitamins A, C, E, potassium, folate, magnesium, and iron.
- Chia seeds, which are packed with antioxidants and are a phenomenal source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Chia is wonderfully absorbent and will help you feel full longer – as they exit your stomach, chia seeds can bind with harmful substances and carry them right out of you.
CHERRY VANILLA CHIA PUDDING
You will need: measuring cups and spoons, Tupperware with lid, mixing spoon
KEY: T=Tablespoon; tsp=teaspoon
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 T maple syrup
- 2 cups chopped cherries (dried cherries or raisins are also great – and if you don’t have cherries just go with the fruit you have on hand!)
- 1/2 cup milled* chia seeds
- 1/4 cup whole chia seeds
Directions:
- Pour the almond milk into a mixing bowl.
- Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, and cherries.
- Lastly, stir in the chia seeds until they are all coated.
- Refrigerate at least 8 hours before eating.
*You can grind your own chia seeds in a blender or food processor, or purchase them pre-ground or milled. Whole chia seeds will also “gel” but milled chia seeds are much finer and will give you a smoother texture.
Nutrition Facts
Let me know if you’re going to try this, and how it comes out!
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weeks of eating made easy!
- Howatson, G., et al. “Influence of tart cherry jounce on indices of recovery following marathon running.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. December 2010. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19883392
- Martinez-Cruz, O. and Paredes-Lopez, O. “Phytochemical profile and nutraceutical potential of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) by ultra high performance liquid chromatography.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. June 13, 2014. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24811150
- Rao, Pasupuleti Visweswara and Gan, Siew Hua. “Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. April 10, 2014. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/
- Tjelle, Torunn Elisabeth, et al. “Polyphenol-rich juices reduce blood pressure measures in a randomised controlled trial in high normal and hypertensive volunteers.” Cambridge University British Journal of Nutrition. July 31, 2015. Web. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/polyphenolrich-juices-reduce-blood-pressure-measures-in-a-randomised-controlled-trial-in-high-normal-and-hypertensive-volunteers/8B268D98D3AC8242545D913730AA556B
- Wang, H., et al. “Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of anthocyanins and their aglycon, cyanidin, from tart cherries.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. February 1999. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10075763