Name: Strawberry Chia Pudding
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 6 tbsp chia seeds; 1 1/2 cups milk; 1 cup fresh strawberries; 1 tbsp honey

This easy strawberry chia pudding is a high fiber breakfast that features plant based protein and a full fruit serving to start you and your kids days off well-nourished.

Eating fruits and vegetables has long been associated with reduced risk for diseases and promoting a healthy body weight. The recommendation has always stood as “aim for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.” Did you know research shows that we actually should be aiming our target beyond 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and strive for 7 servings instead? No need to get discouraged by that number, let’s start by simply aiming for more fruits and vegetables on your plate in general.

Sometimes, including that color on your plate can feel impossible. With berries at breakfast, salad for lunch, and a side of green beans for dinner, where is the room for the rest of the color? As a dietitian, I strive to make healthy eating feel doable for people and my recommendation here is to start mixing the fruits and vegetables into your main meal instead of just serving them on the side.

For example, this strawberry chia pudding features a serving of Vitamin C rich strawberries but you almost would never know because the strawberries have been blended into the milk instead of just added as a topping. Enjoy this chia pudding with strawberries knowing that you are well on your way to hitting your color goals for the day!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

This easy strawberry chia pudding will be a family favorite because it’s:

Naturally sweetened: This chia pudding is simply sweetened with strawberries and honey
Nutritious: chia seeds are high in fiber, plant-based protein, and other important vitamins and minerals that nourish your body all day long.
Fun for kids!: This chia pudding has a subtle pink color that kids will love! Beyond that, blending the chia seeds with the strawberries is an easy way for your kids to get in a fruit serving without even knowing it… perfect for picky eaters!
Meal prep friendly: chia pudding is a fantastic grab and go breakfast option that you can prep on a Sunday and enjoy throughout the week.

And so much more!

Are strawberries healthy?

Beyond their delicious flavor, regular eating strawberries supports the health of your body and can even lower your risk for diseases like type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancer. Strawberries are rich in nutrients like fiber, folate, vitamin C, and potassium as well as disease fighting phytochemicals that keep your body and immune system strong! Aim for around 8 strawberries to meet the recommended serving size!

Strawberries are also very versatile and can be added to a variety of recipes! Dunk these strawberries in a chocolate cool whip fruit dip, slice them up and add them to salads, add them as a topping on a bowl of brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal, or even top up some chocolate chia pudding for a chocolate covered strawberry vibe in the morning!

Ingredients:

Chia seeds: chia seeds are rich in plant protein, healthy fats, and fiber rich carbohydrates. Check out my blogs on chia seeds if you want to read more about them!
1. Chia seeds- a dietitian review
2. 6 substitutes for chia seeds
Milk: I used whole milk but you can use whichever milk you prefer
Honey: you could also use maple syrup or brown sugar, this is just for a splash of sweetness.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are preferred but you can also make this recipe with frozen strawberries!
Optional toppings like sliced strawberries, chocolate chips, or cacao nibs.

Recipe FAQ:

Can I use frozen strawberries?
1. Yes, this recipe can be made with frozen strawberries! Follow the recipe as written and simply sub in frozen strawberries for fresh.
How long will chia seed pudding last?
1. This chia pudding will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. Clumping of chia seed pudding is very normal, simply stir your pudding until the clumps break up.
What do you recommend for chia seed substitutes?
1. For this recipe, I would recommend old fashioned oats as a chia seed substitute. If you do not like chia seeds or don’t have any on hand, 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats can be used instead to make a strawberry overnight oats breakfast. If you are going to use overnight oats, I would blend the strawberries, milk, and honey first then stir in your old fashioned oats with a spoon instead of blending everything together as written. Then add your oat mixture to a container and allow it to sit in the refrigerator overnight.