Smart Sweet: Chia, Choco, and Banana Overnight Oats

Here’s a new spin to your morning oatmeal, and one you don’t have to cook! Oh, and while you may think this is some sort of hot chocolate loaded with processed sugar and chocolate, you are wrong my friend! This is one of my all-time favorite healthy and filling breakfasts to make: Chia, Choco, and Banana Overnight oats. I like to think of it as a smoothie that I don’t have to blend!

Mornings always tend to be a little hectic and many of us neglect feeding our bodies a nutritious breakfast. These overnight oats are something you whip together the night before so all you need to do is give it a good stir in the mornings when you wake up and then treat yourself to a high fiber, high antioxidant, superfood packed breakfast. What you’ll love about the ingredients:
Banana – high in potassium to promote bone health
Cacao powder – great source of magnesium and a “good mood brain food”
Chia seeds – balances blood sugar, anti-aging, antioxidant and energy enhancing
Cinnamon – helps to stabilize blood sugar levels
Walnuts –  high in unsaturated, fatty acids, iron, and B vitamins and contain almost twice as many antioxidants as other nuts
Rolled Oats – high in fiber and proven to lower cholesterol

This is even a good dessert substitute!

Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk (or your choice)
1/4 cup regular oats
1 teaspoon cacao powder
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Tiny pinch of kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. walnuts, chopped
1 ripe banana, sliced
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

Directions:
1.) Mix all dry ingredients  in a bowl and make sure the oats are evenly coated (cacao powder, chia seeds, oats, salt, cinnamon, walnuts).



2.) Add in the almond milk and vanilla extract and whisk until there are no more clumps.

3.) Mix in the sliced banana and stir.

4.) Place in the fridge for at least one hour – overnight is ideal!

5.) Wake up in the morning, sprinkle extra cinnamon and the maple syrup on top, stir and enjoy.

Tips:
This is very filling so this can be 2 small servings.
You can top with any of your favorite fruits or nut butters for added flavor.
You can substitute any nut for the walnuts.
You can leave the cacao powder out if you don’t prefer a chocolate flavor in the morning.