Creamy Vanilla Collagen Chia Pudding
This Creamy Vanilla Collagen Chia Pudding recipe from The Whole Smiths using vanilla collagen creamer is packed with health benefits to fuel your day and it is soon to become one of your favorite breakfasts or snacks. It is absolutely delicious and the addition of collagen takes your chia pudding to a whole new level of creaminess.
Healthy Options On-the-Go.
Getting out the door when you’re in a rush and in need of a healthy, on-the-go food option can prove to be a bit tricky. While we all wish we had extra time in the mornings, that’s just not always the case. But we do need to make sure we fuel our bodies properly for the day ahead of us, regardless of any time crunch.
Fortunately, this chia pudding is perfect to make ahead and store in the refrigerator for those moments. It’s adaptable to a variety of preferences as you can customize it based on your sweetener of choice and just how sweet you’d like it to taste. If you don’t have coconut milk on hand, feel free to use whatever milk is available. You can also top it with your choice of nuts, berries or coconut or pure whatever fruit it is you prefer and have on hand. Go wild! It takes only minutes to whip up and is loaded with nutrients you can feel good about.
Nutritional Benefits of Collagen.
The addition of vanilla collagen creamer provides a fast-acting source of energy, supports mental clarity and promotes fat burning, making it a perfect morning option. The creamer also ensures this will be the creamiest, most decadent chia pudding you’ll ever have. Who knew the secret to perfect chia pudding would be a collagen creamer!
Let’s talk abut why that is, shall we? Collagen is a vital protein that supports healthy skin, hair, nails, joints, and muscles. As the body’s natural collagen production decreases with age, supplementing can help improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and promote a youthful glow. Additionally, collagen supports joint health by reducing stiffness and enhancing flexibility, making it a popular choice for athletes and individuals with active lifestyles. Its gut-healing properties may also improve digestion and overall wellness. Adding collagen to your daily routine is a simple way to support long-term health and beauty from the inside out. It’s kind of a no-brainer if you ask me.
Choosing Chia and Its Health Benefits.
As if adding collagen into this recipe wasn’t nutritionally sound enough, enter chia seeds. Rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and protein, chia seeds aid in digestion, reduce inflammation and ensure you stay full. What is not to love about chia seeds? They’re a regular staple in my pantry and diet.
Chia seeds are a nutrient-dense superfood packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant-based protein. They promote digestive health by supporting regular bowel movements and maintaining gut health. The high omega-3 content aids in heart health by reducing inflammation and supporting healthy cholesterol levels. Chia seeds also help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full longer, making them a great addition to weight management plans. In addition to making chia pudding with them, adding chia seeds to smoothies, yogurt, or baked goods is an easy way to boost your daily nutrient intake.
Fruit on the Bottom.
Growing up, you either loved fruit in the bottom of your yogurt cup or you didn’t. Or maybe you mixed it in and enjoyed your yogurt that way. However you chose to enjoy it, the impact was the same; a tart fruity burst of flavor against the cool, creamy backdrop of yogurt, or in this case, chia pudding.
For this particular recipe, I used mixed berries on the bottom simply because it’s what I had on hand. Preparing it couldn’t have been any easier either. You can use either fresh or frozen fruit. If you are using frozen berries like I did, defrost them prior to using them. Once defrosted, I added them to my mini-chop and pulsed the berries until they were brown down and relatively smooth. I didn’t add any sweeteners or thickeners, I just kept it simple.
I encourage you to use whatever fruit it is you have on hand. Fruits like mango, raspberries and pineapple would all make great choices. Simply heat them up a bit to break down some of the fibers and pulse them into a puree. I love serving this recipe in these adorable bowls from Amazon. Not only are they so cute and show off the fruit on the bottom, but they also come with their own lid for easy storage.
Naked Nutrition Collagen + Chia for the Win.
If you haven’t been convinced yet of the benefits of adding vanilla collagen creamer to your chia pudding from a nutritional standpoint, maybe I can convince you from a texture standpoint. As a chia pudding fan, I love the texture. But it also often lacks the CREAMINESS that we’ve come to love from a traditional pudding. However, by adding the collagen creamer into your chia pudding mix, you ensure the creamiest and most decadent texture possible. You have to try it and trust me on this one.
This Creamy Vanilla Collagen Chia Pudding is an easy way to upgrade your breakfast game, energize your body and support your wellness goals.
Creamy Vanilla Collagen Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 5 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 scoops Naked Nutrition Vanilla Collagen Powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Sweetener of choice to taste
- 2 cups fruit of choice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the coconut milk, chia seeds, collagen powder and vanilla extract (or paste) and whisk vigorously for 30 seconds to combine and activate the chia seeds.
- Add your sweetener of choice and taste. Start with a small amount. Add additional sweetener if desired.
- Let the chia pudding sit for about 5 minutes to let it thicken slightly, this ensures the chia seeds do not sink to the bottom and will distribute evenly.
- Microwave or heat fruit in a saucepan until fruit is warm and slightly broken down. Add fruit into a blender or mini-chop until it is puréed.
- Pour some fruit puree into the bottom of each serving dish.
- Whisk he chia pudding mix again lightly and pour into individual serving bowls over top of fruit.
- Refrigerate covered for 8+ hours to let the chia pudding set. Serve with desired toppings of choice.