I mean there aren’t many things I prefer to chocolate. Lavender body wash maybe? Northstar’s village salad? Cotton scented candles? No dessert contenders there.
As much as I love a juicy hunk of dark chocolate after dinner, I love me some banana-flavored breakfasts and snacks. This kind of banana flavoring comes from a legit banana, not those icky fake flavorings that have taken over the processed food world. Have you ever seen the label of instant banana cream pudding? Sugar, modified food starch, artificial flavor, disodium phosphate, preservatives, yellow #5, more fake colors and a bunch of other crap I can’t pronounce. Um, ew. Maybe that’s why I never liked banana pudding. IT’S NANNERLESS.
Since real nanners are naturally sweet, I don’t have to jack up this chia gunk with a bunch of added sugar. Instant pudding has 18 grams of sugar per serving–that’s over four teaspoons! I did add a couple dates for sweetness to this version because you know how much I adore those little guys.
I’m sure you know by now if you’re into the texture of chia pudding or not. It’s not for the faint hearted. It’s gelly and mushy and weird and fantastic. Since each tablespoon of chia packs a whopped five grams of filling plant-based fiber, these parfaits have well over ten grams of fiber each! That’s like two big apples. Kind of a big deal!
I always get asked about healthy snacks and I often tell people to think of them more like mini meals rather than “snacks” because that word shifts people’s minds to crackers, pretzels, chips and other refined, high-carb, nutritionally void foods. Chia pudding may be perfect for breakfast, but you could also cut back on the portion and call it a snack. Veggie chili for dinner? Snack on half a cup the next afternoon with some sliced peppers and hummus. Beet and green bean salad for lunch? Nosh on a bowl mid-morning and call it a sexy snack!
Chia seeds are one of the easiest ways to add fiber to your diet because they don’t even taste like anything. Fiber pushes all the yuckies out, combats cholesterol and helps solve your bathroom woes. Yeah, I said it. You want it in your life. Often. I like to keep a batch of chia pudding (remember my chocolate covered strawberry version?) in the fridge for those days when I’m running around like a madwoman and need a quick snack that’s uber nutritious. Ya know those days where you sleep through breakfast and want eggs and toast for lunch? Maybe you skipped your fiberlicious morning smoothie? Enter the chia pudding life saver. You’ve got your fruit, your healthy fats, fiber and plant-powered protein. You could even blend in a handful of baby spinach. WOAH THERE, SISTER.
Go crazy!
[tasty-recipe id="22629"]
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Banana Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits
July 31, 2014
I’ve been wanting to try making a chia pudding for so long, but I’m nervous about the texture. It sounds so healthy and delicious (and your pictures are soooo yummy looking). I gotta get over the texture issue haha!
It takes some getting used to, but I actually love it!! You could even try blending it all up for a smoother texture if you wanted.
I loveee chia pudding! It’s such a good snack, totally agree… once I stopped looking at it as dessert… which it is also good at being 🙂
Totes a snack, not a dessert. Then you eat more of it 🙂
I loveee chia pudding! It’s such a good snack, totally agree… once I stopped looking at it as dessert… which it is also good at being 🙂
Totes a snack, not a dessert. Then you eat more of it 🙂
Somebody’s been practicing with her new camera- great shots! I just ate a slice of banana bread and actually thought to myself how can anyone NOT love bananas….fahhh-reaks!
Thanks girl! I’m hoping practice will make perfect 🙂
Somebody’s been practicing with her new camera- great shots! I just ate a slice of banana bread and actually thought to myself how can anyone NOT love bananas….fahhh-reaks!
Thanks girl! I’m hoping practice will make perfect 🙂
Woah girl what’s up with that men hate lately??
Woah girl what’s up with that men hate lately??
Ummmm these sound and look AMAZE. Love this flavor combo, toooooo. I must say, though –Your pics, girlllll! I want to eat it through the screen. Rocking the new photog skills! You fancy, huh?! Awesome job. Def making this ASAP. Always love new ideas for brekkie and snacks! I want one right meow. And big ups to chia seeds in all of their weird and fabulous glory. #everybodypoops
I’m tryin!! So glad you noticed the pics. Enjoy your chia!!
Ummmm these sound and look AMAZE. Love this flavor combo, toooooo. I must say, though –Your pics, girlllll! I want to eat it through the screen. Rocking the new photog skills! You fancy, huh?! Awesome job. Def making this ASAP. Always love new ideas for brekkie and snacks! I want one right meow. And big ups to chia seeds in all of their weird and fabulous glory. #everybodypoops
I’m tryin!! So glad you noticed the pics. Enjoy your chia!!
No bananas in instant banana pudding?! That’s crazy. I’m not sure why I’m surprised, though. I’ll take your version of banana pudding for my kids for sure!
The kiddos would love this one!
No bananas in instant banana pudding?! That’s crazy. I’m not sure why I’m surprised, though. I’ll take your version of banana pudding for my kids for sure!
The kiddos would love this one!
Hi Alexis! A friend of mine told me about your blog and I’m so glad she did! I love it and I love your recipe ideas! I’ve never eaten chia pudding before but you’ve convinced me that I have to try it. 🙂
Hi Jamie! Thanks for stopping by! So glad you’re liking the blog 🙂 Enjoy!
Hi Alexis! A friend of mine told me about your blog and I’m so glad she did! I love it and I love your recipe ideas! I’ve never eaten chia pudding before but you’ve convinced me that I have to try it. 🙂
Hi Jamie! Thanks for stopping by! So glad you’re liking the blog 🙂 Enjoy!
Yay, I love chia seed pudding; although, I don’t make it nearly enough as I should. It’s super easy and super tasty! This one sounds wonderful!
Give it another try! It’s one of those things that I forget about and wonder why each time I make it again!
Yay, I love chia seed pudding; although, I don’t make it nearly enough as I should. It’s super easy and super tasty! This one sounds wonderful!
Give it another try! It’s one of those things that I forget about and wonder why each time I make it again!