Cooling Chocolate Cherry Chia Protein Pudding for Gut Health & Stress Support
When the summer heat is high and your energy feels low, this Chocolate Cherry Chia Protein Pudding is exactly what your body is craving. It’s cool, creamy, and deeply satisfying—like a treat, but one that works with your body instead of against it.
I created this recipe to bring together seasonal produce, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and a texture that feels refreshing and light—especially on hot July days when the last thing you want is a heavy or hot meal. It’s a no-cook recipe, so you can keep the stove off and still enjoy something nourishing and functional.
Why This Pudding Supports Hormone, Gut & Summer Wellness
Chronic stress depletes your minerals, messes with your gut, and spikes your cortisol—but extreme heat can take a toll too, leading to fatigue, dehydration, and inflammation. This pudding is designed to calm the chaos and cool the body from the inside out.
🍒 Seasonal Cherries: Summer’s Sweetest Stress-Reducer
Fresh cherries are in season during July, and they’re more than just a juicy treat. They’re packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and melatonin—helping reduce inflammation, support immunity, and promote restful sleep. And because they have a high water content, they also contribute to hydration.
🍫 Cacao: Cooling, Calming, and Mineral-Rich
Raw cacao is rich in magnesium, which helps regulate cortisol, improve sleep, and calm the nervous system. It’s also cooling in nature, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effects—making it a smart choice for beating the heat while supporting mental clarity.
💧 Chia or Basil Seeds: Cooling, Hydrating, and Gut-Friendly
Here’s where it gets fun. While the recipe calls for chia seeds, I personally prefer basil seeds for this pudding—especially in the summer. Why?
Basil seeds (sabja or tukmaria) are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to cool the body and calm digestive inflammation. They hydrate quickly, forming a gel-like texture that helps retain fluids and promote satiety.
Plus, they contain nearly double the fiber, iron, potassium, and calcium of chia seeds—all essential minerals for stress recovery and electrolyte balance during the hot months. A single serving of this pudding has over 16g of fiber if you use basil seeds! That’s half my daily recommended amount.
Basil seeds also:
- Gel faster and more evenly (no clumps!)
- Offer a smoother, lighter texture
- Help regulate body temperature and soothe digestion
Whether you stick with chia or swap in basil seeds, you’re giving your body a dose of prebiotic fiber, healthy fats, and cooling hydration.
💪 Chocolate Collagen or Protein Powder: Blood Sugar Support & Gut Health
Protein is key for stabilizing blood sugar and keeping cortisol in check. A scoop of collagen protein also supports gut healing and joint health, which can be especially beneficial if heat or stress is triggering inflammation in your body.
A Cool Treat That Loves You Back
This pudding isn’t just chocolatey and cherry-studded—it’s a cooling, hydrating, and stress-soothing snack that’s perfect straight from the fridge. I love enjoying it in the late afternoon when my energy dips and the summer sun is still blazing. It’s like pressing the reset button on your mood, digestion, and blood sugar.
If you’ve been feeling the effects of stress, heat, or burnout, this is exactly the kind of recipe I share with clients inside my coaching program. We focus on healing your stress from the inside out—with foods and habits that support your body instead of fighting against it.
➡️ Ready to restore your energy and calm your nervous system—without restriction or burnout?
Learn more about my 6-month coaching program designed to support gut health, hormone balance, and sustainable stress recovery at hollyandrewscoaching.com.
➡️ Not ready for coaching?
Grab a copy of my book, Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out, and learn how to reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and rebuild your resilience with a root-cause approach.
Chocolate Cherry Chia Protein Pudding
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- bowl or jar
- measuring cups and spoons
- cutting board
- knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds or basil seeds
- 1 scoop chocolate collagen or protein powder
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh cherries pitted & chopped
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Whisk together almond milk, chia seeds, protein powder, cacao powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup/honey in a jar.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to prevent clumping.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until thickened.
- Top with cherries and chocolate chips before serving.
