No time for breakfast? These “triple C” Chocolate Cherry Chia Overnight Oats are vegan and gluten-free with no added sugar and take 2 minutes to put together. They literally take away any and every excuse to not eat breakfast.
Plus, these Overnight Oats are packed with nutrients you need to power through your morning, like healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the chia, fiber from the chia and oats to stabilize blood sugar levels while the oats provide slow-burning energy.
The cherries give you antioxidant power that can boost your immune system and prevent free radical damage that leads to chronic disease and aging.
Watch me make the recipe if you want to see how easy it really is… plus get 3 reasons why eating breakfast is important from a nutrition standpoint.
Here’s my Facebook Live video “In Defense of Breakfast – And a Recipe for Chocolate Cherry Chia Overnight Oats!”
In Defense of Breakfast – 3 Reasons to Eat in the Morning
1. Boost Energy Levels
Eat slow carbs with fiber, protein and healthy fats in the morning and you’ll have slow, sustained energy throughout your morning.
Most people who skip breakfast try to survive on coffee. Sure, the caffeine stimulates your brain to get going, but the effects of that run out pretty quickly. Keep the coffee for its antioxidant benefits but add a healthy breakfast to keep that brain performing at its peak.
2. Get More Nutrients
Trying out some intermittent fasting? While there are some potential benefits, eating 1 meal a day makes it practically impossible to get all of the nutrients you need in a day.
Research suggests that breakfast-eaters get more fiber, calcium and other important nutrients than people who skip breakfast. Why not front-load your day with some superfoods like chia, oats and berries? It just makes sense.
3. Fight Hunger
I tell my clients all the time, “Hunger is your enemy if you’re trying to lose weight”. One of the most common patterns I see in people who are struggling to lose weight is undereating earlier in the day and then being so hungry by the afternoon or evening that they binge on less healthy foods. Clearly not a healthy way to eat… but can you blame your body for wanting some energy and nutrients?
Eat a more substantial breakfast and lunch and you’ll find by the time the afternoon, dinner and evening roll around, you can make healthier choices. That’s because your brain isn’t screaming, “He/she is trying to starve us to death!!!”
Overnight Oats: Perfect for Meal Prep
I like to make up mason jars of Overnight Oats for the week so I have a quick and healthy breakfast ready to go. That’s what makes Overnight Oats such a great meal prep recipe.
Take a few minutes to make these on a Sunday and breakfast is covered. Don’t be afraid to mix up the ingredients to add variety to your week!
Are you a breakfast eater or a breakfast skipper? Share in the comments below!
Chocolate Cherry Chia Overnight Oats
Ready to have dessert for breakfast? Heck yes! Make up some jars of this goodness and you’re setting yourself up for a great day!
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| Servings | Prep Time |
| 1 | 2 minutes |
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- 1/4 cup rolled oats (gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup frozen cherries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries (if desired)
- 2 tbsp slivered almonds (if desired)
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar from the oats to the cinnamon. Stir to combine and then layer the cherries on top. Close the jar and put in the fridge overnight.
- Wake up to delicious oats ready to eat! I like them warmed up like oatmeal. Some people like to eat them cold like muesli. Top with any fresh berries, other fruit or slivered almonds if desired. Enjoy 🙂
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