If you are looking for a delicious, easy and no fuss dessert to make that is also healthy to boot, you should try this chocolate chia seed pudding. Dressed up with fresh fruits, whip cream or chopped nuts, you can create a decadent dessert in no time and not have to skip dessert after your entree dish.
Chia seed is a powerful seed made from The seeds themselves are produced from the chia plant’s flowers after they have matured and dried. They are rich in nutrients such as fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The seed makes a spectacular as a dessert option in this simple dessert. You can create this in less than 10 minutes and place in the fridge asap for your dinner and dessert combo.
Why use Chia seeds?
Chia seeds are often considered beneficial for people with diabetes due to several reasons:
- High Fiber Content: Chia seeds are rich in dietary fiber, with a high proportion being soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which helps in managing blood sugar levels.
- Low Glycemic Index: Chia seeds have a low glycemic index (GI). Foods with a lower GI are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels rather than a spike.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Chia seeds are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health and may also improve insulin sensitivity.
- Protein Content: Chia seeds contain a good amount of protein, which can help in managing blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream.
- Antioxidants: Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, such as quercetin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. These compounds can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are often elevated in people with diabetes.
- Hydration and Satiety: When mixed with liquid, chia seeds form a gel-like substance due to their high soluble fiber content. This gel can help keep you hydrated and may contribute to a feeling of fullness, potentially aiding in weight management, which is important for diabetes management.
Overall, chia seeds are a nutrient-dense food that can be a valuable addition to a diabetes-friendly diet, contributing to better blood sugar control and overall health. However, it’s important to incorporate them as part of a balanced diet and consult with a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized advice on managing diabetes.
Ingredients
ΒΌ cup chia seeds
2 tbsn cacao powder no sugar
1 tspn vanilla extract
2 tbsn maple syrup ( you can substitute with any sugar free alternative sweetners of your choice )
1 cup of almond milk
Garnish
Lots of choices for garnish for this pudding to chose from
strawberries or fruit in season
chopped nuts that available in your kitchen
Coconut whipped cream
Chocolate shavings
Instructions
Use a medium sized bowl and place all the ingredients chia seeds, cacao powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup and almond milk and wisk together to incorporate all the ingredients.
Let the mixture set and thicken for 15 minutes and then stir again to get rid of the forming clumps.
Place this into the fridge and chill overnight when the pudding will thicken and look reading for plating
After the chilling process take out the pudding and spoon into cups or individual serving bowls and place your garnish on top of each dessert
Plating your dessert
After the Chia pudding has chilled and solidified, its time to present it in a nice plated dish or in this instance a beautiful shallow bowl.
Take the dish out of the fridge and take a few scoops out of your pudding and place into something pretty ( I used a colorful bowl to contrast with the brown pudding.
Garnish with whatever fruits, nuts or low carb ingredient you have handy. In this presentation I added blue berries, fresh cut strawberries and a few no sugar chocolate bits into the mix.
Plating is just as important as eating since visuals are always a key part of enjoying a simple dessert like this, enjoy!
Ready to give it a try
Tell me how you did with dessert dish in the comments below and what you did differently or garnishes you added to make it even more spectacular.
Thanks for checking out BeatDiabetesGuide, please do check out our other recipes, healthy tips and lifestyle ideas soon!
