Although blueberry season is winding down for the year, I’ve been taking the opportunity to ensure I get my fill. I had the pleasure, while doing my co-op at the farm, to enjoy fresh blueberries everyday. Baked in paleo goods or just eaten on their own throughout the day, blueberries have been a big part of my diet the past few weeks. Berries in general have been very good this year, especially the strawberries I gorged on a few months back!
This recipe is adapted from my friend Stephanie Tucci and a copy of her original Banana Coconut Chia Pudding can be found here. Stephanie presented this recipe early last year for her food demo in one of our nutrition courses. There were many delicious foods presented that day, but Stephanie’s pudding won my heart and my taste buds.
Blueberry Chia Pudding
- 2 bananas
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup blueberries
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 tbsp chia seeds
1) In a blender or food processor, place bananas, coconut milk, blueberries, vanilla and water and blend until ingredients are smooth.
2) Pour blended goodness in a bowl or glass container for storage. Add chia seeds and stir until well blended. Cover and place in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours to allow chia seeds to absorb the liquid and create a pudding-like consistency.
Serve on it’s own or garnished with fresh blueberries and enjoy!
What You’ll Get From It:
Blueberries contain many phytonutrients including anthocyanins which are antioxidant compounds that give blueberries and other fruits and vegetables their blue, purple and reddish tones. Eating blueberries and other types berries can also benefit the aging brain. You’ll also get:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Manganese
- Fibre
Bananas contain protease inhibitors which help eliminate H. pylori, a bacteria discovered as the primary cause of stomach ulcers. They also contain substances that help activate cells in the stomach lining to produce a thicker protective mucus barrier, further protecting the lining from ulcerative damage [source]. You’ll also get a dose of:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Fibre
Coconut Milk is high in saturated and medium chain fatty acids, which are both easily burned as fuel in the body. Fat in the diet helps us to feel satiated, is a precursor to steroid hormones like estrogen and testosterone and is integral to our overall health.
Be sure to look for coconut milk in BPA free cans. BPA (bisphenol-A) is used to line the inside of canned goods and is a known xenoestrogen, a compound that mimics estrogen in the body, thus disrupting normal endocrine function. Coconut milk should also be free of guar and xantham gums and/or carrageenan used as stabilizers as they can cause digestive upset for some people. Good brands to look out for are Native Forest and Arroy-D. Or skip the headache of standing in the grocery store reading labels and just make your own!
Chia Seeds are one of those foods that lie on the boundaries of ‘is it paleo or not’. Nutritionally, they’re most popular for their protein, fibre and Omega-3 content in the form alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is converted in the body to EPA and DHA but unfortunately for humans, this conversion is rather poor. You are better off getting your Omega-3′s in the form of EPA and DHA. Best sources of these can be found in grass-fed beef and wild varieties of cold water fish like mackerel, salmon and sardines.
Some feel that the anti-nutrient content outways any benefit this little seed could provide while many in the food and nutrition industry tout it as a superfood. After all my research I’m still not entirely clear if chia is great or not.
So after all that, why am I eating chia and sharing this recipe? Because it tastes freaking good and makes a naturally sweet treat! I try not to get hung up on whether something is paleo or not but rather enjoy real whole foods that I know make me feel good on the inside and out! This pudding satisfies my sweet tooth and I love the texture the chia seeds create. It makes my taste buds happy!
Fun treats are fun and if you’re okay with a little chia once in awhile, give this one a try. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!
