RECIPE: Iron rich choc chia puddings

With a heavy training load, our bodies require iron to keep up with the demands. Athletes, particularly women need to ensure they’re getting enough iron in their diet. Iron plays a vital role in providing oxygen to organ systems through its role in red blood cell production. Iron helps with the maintenance of general health, proper growth of the body, producing red blood cells and as an essential protein for metabolism. If you’re feeling body weakness or severe fatigue, you may look into getting your iron levels checked to ensure you don’t have a deficiency.

Raw cacao powder is 16% iron! I love to use it when making bliss balls, smoothies or stirring through porridge. In this recipe, cacao is used to give a rich, chocolatey flavour to the pudding. Chia Pudding is a great treat after training. I store mine in a glass jar so it’s portable.

Chocolate Chia Pudding:

Serves 4

For chia:

1/4 cup chia seeds (soaked in at least 1 cup water, for two hours or overnight)

For pudding mix:

2 cups coconut milk (or rice, almond, hazelnut, whatever suits you)

2 medjool dates (pitted)

1/8 cup flaxseed meal

4 – 6 tbsp cacao powder

2 tbsp raw honey

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/3 cup sliced almonds for garnish

1. Combine chia seeds and nut milk in a bowl.

2. Whisk together and refrigerate for two hours, or overnight. Whisk once more when you take the mixture out of the fridge.

3. In a food processor, combine the dates, flaxseed meal, cacao, honey, and cinnamon. Pour in the chia/ nut milk mixture and blend together. Add some sliced almonds to top the pudding off. Berries would also work well.