Looking for a delicious berry chia seed pudding recipe that is healthy for you and your gut? Well here it is! You've no doubt heard about all of the various health benefits of chia seeds - they're packed full of omega-3s, fibre, protein, antioxidants, and more. So let's use them to create something tasty! We'll show you how to make a chia pudding recipe, but first - let's look into the health benefits of these tiny little seeds.
What are the health benefits of chia seeds?
Chia seeds are tiny black and white seeds that come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, which is native to Mexico and Guatemala. They have been eaten by Native Americans for centuries, but only recently have they become popular in Western culture as a health food. The seeds can be eaten whole or ground into a powder for use in baking or smoothies.
There are so many health benefits of chia seeds - they're loaded with antioxidants, fibre, protein and omega 3 fatty acids. They're high in fibre, which helps keep your gut healthy by reducing inflammation and increasing the speed at which food passes through your digestive tract. That's why we decided to make them the star of the show in our berry chia pudding recipe.
Why should we focus on gut health?
The link between gut health and overall wellness is clear: feeding your body quality nutrients can help to keep your gut health strong. The connection between gut health and immunity lies in the fact that a significant portion of our immune system is located in the gut, and a healthy microbiome helps regulate immune responses and protect against pathogens.
We all know how important it is to eat foods that are high in fibre to support our gut health – and chia seeds are a great way to do this! Did you know that chia seeds have about 4 times more fibre per serving than most other grains? In fact, chia seeds are one of the best sources of soluble fibre out there!
Including them in your diet regularly can help keep you feeling full longer while supporting overall wellness by keeping your immune system strong. Making a healthy chia pudding is an easy way to get more fibre into your diet without even noticing it!
How can I boost my gut health naturally?
There are lots of ways to boost your gut health naturally - the best way is through your diet. Make sure you eat foods that are rich in fibre, pre and probiotics, healthy fats and antioxidants. Sometimes it can also help to add an extra boost from supplements and health products - like our Beauty Brain Super Powder. It contains larch fibre which is a good source of prebiotic fibre. The larch fibre we use also supports natural immune function. That's why we've added it to our healthy chia pudding recipe, to make it even healthier!
Support your gut health with foods like chia seeds and coconut yoghurt
Not sure which foods you can add to your diet to support your health? Here are just a few gut-boosting foods we love.
Coconut yoghurt
Fermented foods like yoghurt (coconut or cow's milk), sauerkraut and kimchi (among others) are rich in probiotics—beneficial bacteria that support gut health by improving digestion.
Fresh or frozen berries
They're rich in antioxidants and fibre, which support a healthy gut by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Almonds
Almonds are a good source of fibre, healthy fats, and vitamins that contribute to a healthy gut environment and aid in digestion.
Bananas
Bananas are good for your digestive system because they contain dietary fibre, which helps make bowel movements regular and supports a healthy intestine.
Chia seeds
I think you get the point about these super seeds... they're great for your overall health!
Berry chia seed pudding recipe
Serves 2
Ingredients:
Chia pudding:
1 cup of milk of your choice
1/2 cup chia seeds
Splash of vanilla extract
Splash of maple syrup
Middle layer:
Coconut yoghurt or regular yoghurt
Smoothie layer:
1 scoop Beauty Brain Super Powder
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 a banana
1/2 a lemon (juice)
1/2 cup of milk of your choice
Topping:
Slivered almonds
Method:
Combine all ingredients for the Chia Pudding, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. When ready, place chia pudding into a jar and layer with coconut yoghurt.
Blend smoothie ingredients together and pour it over the coconut yoghurt.
Sprinkle some Beauty Brain and slivered almonds on top and enjoy.
Image and recipe credit: Lizzie Wags
Support your gut health with our super supplements
In this recipe we've used Beauty Brain Super Powder to support your gut health, but you could also make this with Renew+. This marine collagen supplement includes bromelain, a digestive enzyme to further support your gut health.
