MANGO & TURMERIC CHIA PUDDING
Starting my day ofd with something nutritious is so important to me. Where I can I prefer to not eat in the morning preferring to just have a juice, maybe a smoothie at a push, but not something that requires much work from my digestive system. Its what works for me and my gut.
But most of the time due to the medication I take I have to eat early in the morning, so finding nutritious breakfast options that I can just grab from the fridge in the morning without needing the prep time is key for me. It is also really important for me that I don’t start the day with foods that are too sugary and I allow my system to start the day with something balanced, satiating, and full of goodness.
My diet generally is one of whole foods, rich in fats, protein, and vegetables, with a few fruits thrown in now and then for a bit of sweetness. Good healthy fats are a bit part of my diet, and chia seeds fit the bill perfectly for that and so many other benefits!
Chia seeds absorb up to 8x their weight in liquid creating and create a gooey gel-like coating which then makes them easier to digest. This is the reason why chia seeds should not be consumed in large quantities pre-soaked - this same action that happens when you put them in liquid will just happen in your stomach if you eat them un-soaked so don’t overdo them raw chia seeds! ;)
Amongst make other benefits chia seeds are loaded with nutrients from magnesium, manganese and believe it or not are a great source of plant based calcium & protein.
Some benefits of chia seeds….
Loaded with antioxidants
Much of the carbohydrates are in the form of fibre - which helps the digestion of carbs
The best plant based source of omega 3 fatty acids
Good for regulating blood sugar and insulin
Shown to be great anti-inflammatory foods.
Healthy fats have been shown to support our endocrine system in regulating hormones
When we combine chia seeds with other healthy fat sources like coconut milk, almond butter, we’ve got ourselves a really healthy, and with the added turmeric you are adding a whole host of other benefits that turmeric brings to the party!
INGREDIENTS
3 servings (depending on portion size)
1 Mango
3 heaped tbsp chia seeds
1 cup coconut milk (or any other plant milk of your choice.)
1- 2 tsp of turmeric
1/4 tsp of black pepper
METHOD
Peel the mango and cut into chunks
Blend the mango into a puree consistency
Transfer to an airtight jar (or multiple jar if you want to create individual portions) and mix with the milk
Add turmeric and black pepper and mix all together
Make sure the jars are only half full to allow for expanding seeds
Add in the chia seeds and combine all together until the seeds are evenly distributed
Let the seeds sit for 5-10 minutes until the start to expand and then mix again to break up any clumps
Store in the fridge with the lid tightly on, and leave for a few hours at least, preferably overnight
Top with extra fruit, yoghurt, nut butter, and seeds to increase the nutrition load, and enjoy!
Chia pudding keeps fresh for approx 4-5 days in an airtight container.