A little treat: Casein Pudding

I don't know about you guys, but I spend lots of my free time reading blogs, websites, and facebook pages related to clean eating and fitness. I love seeing other people's ideas and putting my spin on things to make it my own. I've seen protein pudding recipes a few times in the past, and decided earlier this week to give it a try. I'm prefacing this with encouraging you to try to chose whole foods over protein powders when you can. Protein powders are pre-digested so your body doesn't have to work very hard to break it down, thus losing the thermic effect (and calorie burn) you get from whole foods. With that said, I use protein powder post workout and before bed. <Rebel, I know!> I do this for a couple reasons- first, it's easy! I eat 6-7 meals a day and besides those two, I make everything from scratch in my own kitchen. I think I deserve a break from cooking a couple times a day :) Second, quite frankly I love the way it tastes. my shakes are like treats during the day.

So, back to my casein pudding. I really like ON's chocolate peanut butter casein, and when I make my shake I usually put as little water as I can get away with and still be able to drink it because this way it doesn't dilute the flavor. It finally clicked that I should really be making pudding instead because it requires even less water and I would get to eat it in a bowl with a spoon! So much more exciting than out of a shaker. right?

All you need to make this tasty treat is 1 heaping scoop of casein protein, cinnamon, and pasteurized egg whites (the carton kind). Pour your powder in a bowl along with however much cinnamon you like, [I LOVE cinnamon] then slowly start mixing in the egg whites. You will want to do a little at a time and then mix really well before adding more-- I don't have an exact measurement because it really just depends on the consistency you would like your pudding. You can also do this with almond milk, greek yogurt, or even plain old water. This is my new favorite thing and I seriously get excited when it's bed time because I get to eat it :) <ahh! such a nerd, I know, I know.>

Casein before bed time is good because it is a slow digesting protein, so you can think of it as feeding your body throughout the night while you sleep. You eat it right before bed because your body goes into fasting mode and you want to give it something to use as fuel. otherwise it can resort to using muscle (or fat). Cottage cheese is actually a casein protein as well.

I'm sorry, did you say chocolate peanut butter. Whaa? That sounds uh-mazing. -)

So are you eating your egg whites raw?

The egg whites in cartons are pasteurized so they're fine to eat raw! I add them to overnight oats and protein shakes too!

Thanks for responding, I wasn't hatin' I just was curious :)

Yum! I'm eating this right now and it is so good. I just found your blog the other day and thought this recipe looked great, so I bought some casein. I'm trying the blueberry overnight oats in the morning. I'm excited to try them!!

Just stumbled upon your blog and I'm lovin it! Im a new blogger over at myhealthyaddictions.wordpress.com
I too love casein pudding at night, I sometimes will add in some peanut butter too :)

Made it for the first time last night! It was suprisingly really good! Finishing up week 2 of Jamie Eason's Live Fit. Its definately a great addition and snack before bed :) Since Ive started I have been eating clean and liking it. This morning I made cream of wheat with almond milk, egg whites. cinnamon and splenda..I kept whipping it while it was cooking and it came out creamy :)

do you have to refrigerate this before eating? Do you cool it like pudding? I am going to try making it for my first time tonight :)

I love my chocolate egg protein, would this have the same effect if I ate it before bed as the casein? I'm not sure how slow egg protein digests. I use the iso 100 for my baking because egg protein is horrible to cook with. It turns the food into rubber. I use the egg protein for anything that doesn't require high heat. By the way love your blog, just started a facebook page for healthy living http://www.facebook.com/ExerciseFoodAndABaby I have to say you are an inspiration!

I was thinking of mixing my Casein powder (ON Chocolate Supreme) w either egg whites and/or water and freezing it. Maybe adding some coconut flavoring (if I can find some) and possibly almond butter or pieces (Almond Joy-Yum). Have u tried freezing it? Any suggestions?