Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

PUMPKIN CHIA SEED PUDDING RECIPE

Fall in in full effect and we are starting to ramp up the intake of more warming seasonal foods. Pumpkin and winter squashes are some featured ingredients of the fall but they can often get disguised or bogged down by excessive sugar, refined flours, and other processed ingredients. Rather than bogging these down with unhealthy ingredients, choose whole food ingredients that can work in synergy to boost metabolism, improve immune function, and balance blood sugar levels while taming sugar cravings! Enjoy this recipe as a dessert or balanced snack to stay on track through the holiday season.

FOOD AS MEDICINE:
Pumpkin: 1 cup of pumpkin provides 200% of your daily need of vitamin A, a fat-soluble nutrient that aids in night blindness and eye health, skin health and collagen formation for youthful appearance, and as a powerful supporter of the immune system. Using fresh and roasted with fat is best, if steamed be sure to add fat to absorb all of its nutritional benefits. If buying canned look for organic, BPA-free, with no added sugar!

Cinnamon: cinnamon aids in blood sugar balance reducing blood sugar spikes and promoting balanced insulin response. This is important as insulin is proinflammatory driving fat storage and hormonal imbalance. Also as a source of chromium cinnamon can help to regulate cholesterol levels while providing a nice warming flavor!

Raw Unfiltered Honey: Chrysin is a natural occurring flavionoid found in raw honey can trap estrogen and prevent conversion of testosterone into estrogen through aromatization. This is found only in raw honey due to the higher pollen count and crystallization.

Makes 2 Servings

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup pure canned or fresh pumpkin purée
4 Tablespoons chia seeds
2 teaspoons raw unfiltered honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Optional: 1 Tablespoon pumpkin seeds or pecans to garnish
Optional: Cinnamon to garnish and a dollop of greek yogurt as pictured

DIRECTIONS:
Combine almond milk, pumpkin, chia seeds, honey and spices in a bowl. Stir until well mixed. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight to set. Spoon pudding into serving glass and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and pumpkin seeds or cinnamon and yogurt to garnish.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 194, Carbohydrate: 20g, Protein 8g, Fat  9g