What’s green and full of plant protein & B vitamins? SPIRULINA!

Delicious layers of textures & flavours. This chia pudding taste like banoffee pie!

This  fantastic green spirulina chia pudding looks like freaky space age food but tastes amazing with a contrast of textures & flavours. There are of layers of creamy chia oat pudding, nutty peanut butter & coconut oil, gritty ground flaxseed, soft banana slices & crunchy sunflower seeds. It tastes like healthy banoffee pie! (Albeit not too sweet & green).  My nephew calls it swamp pudding! It’s striking colour means I can get the kids to happily eat it & it is always a talking point amongst the grown-ups.

What is spirulina?

Spirulina is a plant, the first superfood & one of the most nutrient-dense food’s on Earth.

It is about 55-70% protein (so contains more protein than beef, chicken & soybeans), contains 18 amino acids, is rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B3), calcium, iron, copper & the antioxidant phyocyanin (which gives spirulina its green colour). It it noteworthy that spirulina contains high quality protein; all the amino acids we need. Spirulina therefore ranks alongside eggs in protein value-great news for vegans!

What are it’s health benefits?

Spirulina has multiple health benefits. It boosts energy, so helps to improve endurance & reduce fatigue. It has powerful antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties to protect against chronic inflammation which can contribute to cancer & other diseases.

It helps to lower blood cholesterol levels & so helps to protect against heart disease. It also helps supports the body’s detoxification system & improves digestion. Many atheletes say take spirulina as it helps them to recover after exercise.

These spirulina peanut oat pots are so easy to make & convenient: you can make it days in advance & store it them in the fridge. By layering up the ingredients in a jam jar/ small mason jars, you can have a grab & go breakfast.

These cups are high in protein & fibre & low in carbs, making it a great for the health conscious & those tryings to stabilise their blood sugar levels. There is even a layer of ground flaxseed to add to the nutritive value!

The chia mix is enriched with Pulsin’ protein powder (the soya bean & pea protein varieties being gluten-free & suitable for vegans) & I find that this really sustains me through the day.

This is delicious as a breakfast, or a snack & pretty enough to be served as a dessert.

Serves: 1

Preparation time: 15-30 mins soaking time (or even overnight) & 5 mins to assemble 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup of milk of choice (almond and coconut milk work well)

1/4 cup of yoghurt of choice (Greek or coconut yoghurt work well)

2 tsp of whole chia seeds

3/4 tsp spirulina powder

1.5tsp Pulsin’ protein powder of choice (I used soya bean here)

 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 banana

1 1/2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter 

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 1/2 tbsp sunflower seeds

Optional: 1/2 tsp honey if you like it sweeter

Method:

Make the chia-oat mix. Mix together the rolled oats,  milk, yoghurt, whole chia seeds, spirulina & Pulsin’ protein powder. Stir & set aside for 15-30 mins or overnight in the fridge. The chia seeds & oats will hydrate to form a creamy mixture ideal for layering (& delicious to eat!)

Mix together the  peanut butter  & coconut oil in a small bowl to form a gloopy paste.

The fun then begins. In a jam jar or mason jar start with spooning in a layer of the chia-oaty mixture. Then alternate with layers of sliced banana, sunflower seeds ground flaxseed, & green chia-oaty mix. I like to finish with some banana slices & a sprinkle of sunflower seeds on top.