Superfood and candy – now that sounds like an oxymoron. Enter peanut butter cup chia pudding, the perfect way to satisfy your candy cravings, while taking in some superfood benefits!
Plain chia pudding is delicious, but I upped the protein, and added a twist on the flavor. So, inspired by my peanut butter cups, and the nearing Halloween, I decided to make a healthy pudding that keeps your stomach full, and your taste buds happy!
Peanut butter is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and is rich in potassium and magnesium. Potassium is an electrolyte, which regulates fluids in your body – making it a perfect post-workout snack. Plus, magnesium is needed for energy production. And don’t forget chia seeds! Chia seeds are extremely rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (which improve eye and bone health and fight inflammation) and fiber. Fiber = a happy digestive system! We all know that cocoa powder gives a little jolt of energy. This snack is also great for a pre-workout snack; in a study published by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning concluded that chia seeds boosted 90 minute workout performances the same way a typical sugar-filled sports drink does.
So what do you say? Try it out – you’ll need the extra kick before and after you go around trick-o-treating!
- 1 cup almond milk (diy almond milk on the blog)
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- ⅓ cup plain chia pudding
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- *
- with remaining plain chia pudding
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 - 1½ tbsp maple syrup (or any other natural sweetener)
- Mix the almond milk with the chia seeds.
- Measure ⅓ cup of the plain pudding, and place it in a separate bowl. Mix with peanut butter and vanilla extract.
- With the remaining plain chia pudding, add the cocoa powder and maple syrup, and mix.
- Let the two separate chia bowls rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Then, in a jar, layer the flavors starting with the chocolate. Refrigerate again.