Traditional Navajo Chilchen drink
Traditional Navajo Chilchen is a hearty, warm beverage made from ground cornmeal, water, and sometimes berries or other natural sweeteners. It originates from the Navajo (Diné) people of the American Southwest and is often prepared as a nourishing drink or thin porridge.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
It is a carbohydrate-rich drink, primarily providing energy from corn, with a moderate amount of fiber and minimal fat. A typical serving contains around 150-200 calories and offers essential minerals like iron and magnesium.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 60 mg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Zinc | 1.0 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.2 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 1.5 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg |
| Folate | 40 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Chilchen is a culturally significant food, often consumed during ceremonies or as a comforting daily staple, reflecting the Diné connection to corn as a sacred life-giving crop. Its simple, whole-ingredient preparation makes it a naturally gluten-free and wholesome source of sustained energy.
