Chia seeds are a great addition to smoothies, breakfasts and other recipes. Chia seeds also provide many of the nutrients essential to stay healthy as a vegan.
A few of the health benefits you can expect when consuming your recommended dosage of these delicious little seeds are:
- Consuming Chia Seeds can soften the effects of aging thanks to their high level of antioxidants
- Improve digestive health due to them being high in fiber
- High in fatty acids and essential vitamins, they improve heart health
- Help with the effects of diabetes
- Help to boost energy and metabolism (especially belly fat)
- High in protein, so help build muscle and lose weight
- Assist in helping to fight breast cancer and cervical cancer
- High in vitamins, you need to keep your bones and teeth healthy
As you can see, there are so many health benefits from these little black seeds, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite chia recipes.
Chia Seed Recipes
1. Over-Night Chia Seeds [Vegan/Gluten Free]
You can literally make this in your sleep. It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy and consume these healthy little seeds.
Simply take a medium-sized bowl, add a quarter as much chia seeds to the milk of choice.
For example, 1/4 a cup of Chia Seeds to Milk, and give it a good stir.
Pro Tip: If you make prepare around 7 pm, then just before you go to bed 9-10pm, give the mix a bit of a stir.
Also, just before you consume in the morning you will want to give a really good stir. Using a fork I try to ‘squash’ the bigger clumps that form. Aim for a nice even consistency.
In addition to the simplicity of this method is the flexibility you have with milk choice. I prefer to use Unsweetened Almond milk but you can use:
- Hemp Milk
- Soy Milk
- Rice Milk
- Oat Milk
2. Chocolate Superfood Chia Seed Pudding
The sky is really the limit with this superfood recipe. If you are concerned with weight management, it is best enjoyed sometime before the middle of the afternoon as you will have time to burn off the extra energy contained in this delicious treat.
The consistency of chia seeds can lend itself to a lot of applications. However, it is best served cold and in ‘pudding’ form. The reason for this is that it is so pleasant to eat.
As for pimping the pudding up with extra superfoods, my personal favorites are:
- Goji Berries
- Bananas
- Nuts
- Maca powder
3. Fuel for Adventurers – Protein and Chia Seed Balls
Chia seeds were consumed by the native Tarahumara people of Mexico’s Copper Canyons to assist them with running long distances successfully.
I have not used these for running, but they are fantastic for multi-day hiking and they are amazing for keeping my energy levels stocked up. After hiking for a few hours you need something small before you set up the cooker and wait for your food to cook – very nice!
If you spend a lot of time outdoors you will love these!
4. Lemon Chia Seed Scones
Everyone needs to have a ‘cheat meal’ every now and again, and if you do have to indulge then why not make it plant-based.
These scones are so damn delicious that you would do anything for them! The good news is that they are actually not unhealthy for you.
Alexa has said that she prefers to undercook her baked goods. In our household, we prefer something a little crunchier, so we opt to bake for a little longer.
5. Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding
You have some friends coming over for an afternoon snack and you want to surprise them with something healthy BUT you also want to deliver a wow-factor.
Introducing the Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding, it is guaranteed to impress even your omnivore friends – I know because I have tested it!
The recipe suggests adding granola clusters to the mix, and it really is the winning ingredient. The consistency is exactly what you would want it to be, and all the tastes together are amazing!
6. Chia Seed Jams
This recipe is so simple, I can’t believe that I hadn’t tried it before. All it really takes is a whiz in a food processor and you are good to go (after a short spell in the freezer so that it solidifies). It is a really nice way of enjoying chia seeds with your favorite vegan bread or scone.
The recipe is absolutely delicious and really gives you a great excuse to take advantage of any seasonal fruit that is on offer.
For this recipe, the recommendation is to use Blackberries – which are my favorite berry anyway.
Make it, you won’t regret it!
Do you have a favorite chia seed recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
