Many people trying to live long and healthy lives assume that indulging in sweet treats or desserts is off-limits. However, that’s not entirely accurate.
A diet known as the Blue Zone diet focuses on the eating habits and lifestyle choices of people living in specific parts of the world who often reach 100 years old. Experts claim that adopting aspects of such people’s lives can increase your chances of living long and potentially avoiding chronic diseases.
The official Blue Zone website features healthy recipes, including breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and desserts. They are all based on the eating habits found in Blue Zone founder Dan Buettner’s five Blue Zones – including locations like Japan, Greece, Italy, California, and Costa Rica. The diet focuses on eating mostly plant-based food, fish, seeds, nuts and minimal dairy and meat.
One sweet treat that those aiming to age gracefully can enjoy without much guilt is a simple chia seed pudding with strawberry and vanilla. This high-protein snack is “packed with fibre and omega-3 fatty acids”.
The combination creates a sweet pudding “bursting with sweetness and vitamin C” in every bite. The recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation, but it needs to be prepared the day before consumption, reports the Mirror.
Ingredients and recipe:
The recipe yields two servings, so it can be halved for a single serving:
- 3 cups (720ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup (50g) chia seeds
- 3 cups (500g) fresh strawberries
Combine the almond milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the chia seeds to this liquid mixture and let them soak until they absorb the liquid and form a pudding-like texture. Allow this mixture to sit in the fridge overnight, and it will significantly thicken.
In the morning, rinse and slice some fresh strawberries, which you will use to garnish the chia pudding. Chia seeds have recently become a trend on social media as more people globally recognise their satisfying power to fill up our stomachs for longer due to their high-fibre content.
Health benefits of the dessert:
Chia seeds are associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, meaning less strain on your heart over time. Experts recommend consuming one to two tablespoons of chia seeds daily.
However, overconsumption of chia seeds can lead to digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and gas. It’s best to avoid eating too many dry chia seeds as they can cause problems due to their effective liquid absorption, which may cause them to swell in the digestive system, resulting in uncomfortable gastrointestinal effects.
Boosting your vitamin C intake through a good source like strawberries adds further health benefits to this dessert. This essential nutrient helps maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage and aids wound healing.
If you don’t like strawberries, you could still get a vitamin boost with another topping. Another good choice would be cherries, kiwis or citrus fruits like orange and lemon.
However, everything should be consumed in moderation. If you plan to include something new in your diet regularly but have concerns, it’s always best to consult a doctor.