Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding

Anti-inflammatory • Antioxidant-rich • High fiber • Hormone-friendly

There are recipes I experiment with once or twice… and then there are recipes I come back to every single week. This is one of those!

It's rich, chocolatey, naturally sweet, and topped with crunch for a perfect anti-inflammatory snack you actually want to eat.

Why I Love Chia Pudding (Especially for Inflammation)

Chia seed pudding is one of my go-to anti-inflammatory snacks because it works with the body, not against it.

• It's high-fiber but gentle, supporting digestion and elimination without irritation

• It's naturally blood sugar–stabilizing, thanks to the combo of fiber + fat

• It gives me steady energy without stimulants or crashes

• And it helps keep things moving smoothly, which matters more for inflammation than most people realize

Plus, it tastes like dessert. Which matters! ;)

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Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Recipe

Ingredients (4 servings)

For the pudding:

• 1 cup cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)

• 8 tbsp chia seeds

• 1½ cups full-fat coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk

• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of sea salt

• Splash of vanilla extract

  Optional:

• ½ tsp espresso powder (adds richness without coffee flavor)

• 4 servings collagen peptides or protein powder

• Small handful of leafy greens (spinach or mixed greens)

For topping (add when serving):

Get creative and trust your intuition! For this recipe, I like:

• Grain-free granola (Ratio, Wildway, Purely Elizabeth, etc.)

• Dark Chocolate chips (preferably without added sugar)

• Extra cherries, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, and/or nuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Add everything except the chia seeds (including the greens and espresso powder, if using) to a blender. Blend until smooth.

2. Place 2 tablespoons of chia seeds into each of 4 small jars or containers.

3. Pour the blended mixture evenly over the chia seeds.

4. Stir well to fully combine. (This step matters--no chia clumps.)

5. Let sit for 10 minutes, stir again, then refrigerate for 2–4 hours or overnight until thick and pudding-like.

6. Add toppings when you're ready to eat. I love grain-free granola and a few Lily's Dark Chocolate chips for the perfect crunch-meets-creamy combo.

That's it. No stove. No stress.

Storage tip for batch prepping: I usually keep 2 in the refrigerator and freeze the other 2 to reduce histamine buildup. Chia pudding stores in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for 1-2 months. Just move one from the freezer to the fridge the night before you want to eat it, and give it a good stir after thawing.

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How I Use This Anti-Inflammatory Snack

I'll prep these at the start of the week and grab one:

• At breakfast when I need more fiber + healthy fats

• Mid-morning when I want real dopamine

• As an afternoon snack instead of reaching for sugar

• After dinner when I want "something sweet" that won't hijack my system

Honestly, I've eaten this at 10 pm in bed more times than I'll admit. Lol. This is a judge and shame-free zone :p

Why This Recipe Supports Healing

This isn't just a "healthy dessert." Each ingredient plays a role:

Chia seeds

Provide soluble fiber and plant-based omega-3s, supporting gut health, inflammation balance, and regular elimination.

Raw cacao

Rich in magnesium and polyphenols, which support nervous system regulation and cellular health.

Cherries

Naturally high in anthocyanins—compounds associated with reduced inflammatory markers and joint support.

Healthy fats + fiber together

Help slow glucose absorption, keeping blood sugar steady and energy consistent.

Optional collagen peptides or protein powder

Add amino acids for gut lining support, skin and joint health, and help keep you fuller longer without spiking blood sugar.

Optional greens

Add phytonutrients and gentle detox support without changing the flavor (promise).

Are Chia Seeds Inflammatory?

Look, I know some people say chia seeds are inflammatory. The concerns usually come down to a few things: omega-6 fatty acids, lectins, and phytic acid.

Here's the thing--chia actually has way more omega-3s than omega-6s (about a 3:1 ratio), which is anti-inflammatory. And soaking them (like in this recipe) helps reduce both lectin and phytic acid content, making them way easier to digest and allowing your body to absorb more nutrients. Chia seeds are also naturally lower in lectins compared to beans, grains, and legumes.

That said, soaking doesn't eliminate all lectins or phytic acid; it just reduces them. If seeds don't agree with you or you have a known sensitivity, skip them. But for most people? Properly soaked chia is incredibly gentle and well-tolerated.

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Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Nutrient Details

Macronutrient Estimates

(Per 1 serving, recipe makes 4 servings)

Estimated Macros (with full-fat coconut milk, no protein powder)

• Calories: ~260–280 kcal

• Protein: ~6–7 g

• Fat: ~18–20 g

• Carbohydrates: ~18–20 g

• Fiber: ~10–11 g

• Net Carbs: ~8–10 g

Protein-Boost: Option to add protein / collagen peptides or pair with high-quality protein sources like high-quality nut butter, beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs, or

Micronutrient & Functional Highlights

Fiber

• ~10–11 g per serving → supports gut motility, estrogen clearance, and blood sugar stability

Omega-3s (ALA)

• ~2,400 mg per serving → anti-inflammatory, hormone-supportive fats

Magnesium

• ~70–90 mg per serving → nervous system regulation, muscle relaxation, blood

  sugar support

Polyphenols

• Cherries provide anthocyanins, a class of polyphenols linked to reduced inflammatory signaling and joint support

• Raw cacao supplies flavanols, which support vascular health, insulin sensitivity, and cellular resilience

Functional benefits:

• Help neutralize free radicals created during chronic stress or inflammation

• Support healthy immune and inflammatory responses

• May improve blood vessel function and metabolic signaling

Personal Rating

This is a 10/10 for me. Yes, it's biased. But I'm posting this recipe because it's somehow not on the internet yet and I know a lot of ladies who need it. Lol.

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Thanks for reading! If you want more resources and recipes like this, check this page out.

No extremes. Just nourishment you can return to, week after week.