To all you chocolate lovers, this one’s for you.
This chocolate pudding is so good, like a good ol pudding cup (bringing back childhood memories) but a much healthier version for you and the kids!!
Before I delve into how to make this delish dessert let’s go over some of the ingredients used.
Having a deeper understanding of foods helps you become more mindful of what you consume and eating with more intention to fuel and give your body what it needs rather than what you want ‘I’m hungry, I’ll just eat whatever’.
COLLAGEN
Collagen is one of the primary proteins in your body. Some research says about 30% of your body’s protein consists of collagen.
It’s an amino acid chain that’s one of the main molecular components that help hold your body’s tissues together including your skin, it’s what gives it the strength & elasticity.
Sometimes collagen is referred to be the ‘glue’ that holds the body together.
Collagen is essential for the structure and function of healthy skin, bones, joints, cartilage, connective tissue and organs such as the intestines. It allows your body to move, bend and stretch.
The human body naturally produces collagen but the older we get this process slows down, hence saggy skin, sore joints, tissue loss, bone weakness all increases the older we become.
Collagen can support:
- Skin structure & elasticity
- Anti-aging
- Improving Osteoarthritis and joint pain
- Bone strength
- Muscle mass
- Hair & nail health
- Wound healing
Gelatin is a degraded form of collagen which means they are both protein rich in amino acids. They are both beneficial for optimal health but they require different ways of preparing it with different final textures.
GELATIN
The main ingredient to make a ‘jelly’ like consistency is gelatin.
It’s mainly used in desserts, broths, soups & sauces as a thickener without adding flavour.
Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, it’s made up from bones, cartilage, skin and other gelatinous parts of animals. Sounds not so appetising to some but it is fairly tasteless, and colourless once processed to gelatin.
Once you understand the importance of this food you’ll soon get a better grasp of eating animal, from nose to tail ;)
Our early ancestors used to eat all parts of the animals they hunted which resulted in good amounts of gelatin/collagen within their diet. Unfortunately in most modern day diets we lack this important food component by removing these parts of the animal and thinking it’s a healthier option. This is where supplementing and/or adding gelatin & collagen into your diet can have great health benefits.
Gelatin helps promote:
- Healthier skin, nails and hair. Gelatin contains the amino acids that are needed for the production of collagen. What’s the main structural elements of your skin? It’s collagen.
- Protects your joints to help reduce pain
- Helps heal your digestive system. It aids in protecting the gut wall by restoring mucosal lining in the stomach to prevent leaky gut. Leaky gut is when your intestinal wall is damaged and lets toxins and other substances creep into your blood stream. This can cause various health issues such as inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases and food intolerances.
- Can improve sleep. Glycine found in gelatin has been found to aid in better sleep and also mental calmness.
Hydrolised collagen protein is my favourite type of protein powder. It's dairy free and usually low to no carbs. The collagen protein I use is from ATP SCIENCE.
https://au.atpscience.com/products/noway-bodybalance-collagen-protein-1kg-chocolate
The gelatin I like to use is ‘pasture raised’ so I know it’s from good quality produce with no added hormones or additives.
https://locako.com.au/products/natural-pasture-raised-gelatin
Ok now let’s get into the recipe!
CHOCOLATE COLLAGEN PUDDING
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tbsp gelatin
- 1&1/2 tbsp xylitol
- 1/4 tsp vanilla essence (the real stuff!)
- 1 cup hot water
- 3 scoops chocolate collagen protein
- 3 tbsp cacao
- 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt (vanilla)
- 1&1/2 cup water (room temp)
- Glass container with lid (to store in fridge)
- Large bowl (optional)
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Whisk or fork
METHOD:
- Mix gelatin, xylitol, vanilla essence & hot water in glass container or bowl. Mix until all dissolved.
- Add in collagen protein and cacao. Mix until combined.
- Add in coconut yoghurt & water. Mix until all combined
- Cover and place in fridge for couple hours until it sets
- Ready to serve
Try not to eat it all at once ;)
Recipe by
Emily Couper
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-gelatin#1
https://chriskresser.com/5-reasons-why-even-vegetarians-need-gelatin/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#collagen-explained
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-collagen-per-day#uses
https://nutraviva.com.au/blogs/news/the-difference-between-collagen-and-gelatin
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