Share
As the chilly weather continues into the new year, the cooling temperatures dial down the heat in the body, making digestion a slightly slower process. Taking care of your gut health is paramount in such climes, made easier by a wide variety of nourishing fibre-rich foods that support digestion. Chia seeds emerge as one of the top contenders in this list of foods that promote excellent gut health. When soaked overnight or steeped in warm water for a few minutes in the morning, chia seeds bloom beautifully and can be added to several smoothies, salads and hydrating drinks, in ways that up the fibre content in the body, without having to change one’s diet too drastically.
Classic Chia & Fruit Pudding
Simple to make and perhaps one of the healthiest options to begin the day, a chia pudding can be made by soaking the seeds overnight in milk. The bloomed seeds and milk concoction can be topped off the morning after with freshly cut assorted fruits including apples, pears and whatever berries are available at home. Drizzle the pudding with just a tablespoon of honey to bring a floral sweetness and syrupy texture into an otherwise simple recipe. Utterly rich in fibres and antioxidants, this pudding has all the makings of a healthy breakfast that refreshes the digestive system and boosts gut health.
Chia Lemon Water
Start the day with an ultra healthy and nourishing glass of lemon water infused with chia seeds soaked overnight. The acidic and tangy flavour of freshly-squeezed lemon juice brings a certain freshness into the hydrating glass of water and chia seeds add a much-needed fibre content, leading to a morning drink that is quite the elixir for the gut. It prompts a good start to the day as the water stimulates digestion and readies the gut for a day of nourishing diet.
Also Read:
Warm Chia Oatmeal With Apples
A healthy and nourishing breakfast to kickstart a busy winter working day, warm oatmeal can be laced with chia seeds to fulfill the fibre quotient in the first meal of the day. Comforting and gentle on the digestive system, oatmeal and chia seeds make for a very filling and healthy combination that soothes the gut. Adding a few chunks of fresh, ripe crispy apples to the oatmeal introduces a natural sweetness into the homemade porridge. A cinnamon powder drizzle for the finish brings a slight spice and warmth, befitting a winter breakfast recipe.
Chia Crusted Veggie Cutlets
Go the extra mile and make a warm breakfast on a winter morning that aids digestion and prompts the gut to function smoothly. Think veggie cutlets: a mix of mashed veggies flattened into small patties that are shallow-fried on a frying pan. Add chia seeds, soaked overnight, into the cutlets so their fibre-rich qualities seep into this healthy breakfast. The nutritional properties of chia seeds keeps the gut functioning smoothly and with great regularity. A sizable portion of chia seeds infused into the cutlet mash will ensure a sumptuous intake of this superfood in the morning meal.
Berry Chia Smoothie Bowl
In winters, ripe strawberries and raspberries are available in abundance. A smoothie bowl layered with banana milkshake, topped off with fresh, ripe berries and about a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds is a healthy fibre-rich breakfast option that supports gut health. It is also quite soothing for the stomach, and tasty enough too, when finished off with a nutty, crunchy garnish of crushed nuts and assorted seeds. Soak the chia seeds overnight and add them to the smoothie bowl the next morning.
