Overnight Oatmeal with Chia Seeds

  Posted on June 20, 2013  by Leslie Blythe  No comments

Guest Blogger Maddy from Seattle, WA. In this recipe, I used almond milk, greek yogurt and oatmeal in equal parts. We’ve added all sorts of great things to this, but berries are my favorite! This is an easy and quick breakfast; just grab out of the frig, add your favorites and enjoy! Photos 1, 2 and 3 attached are of ingredients and two versions of the final product.

Overnight oats are just oats soaked overnight that absorb the liquid you put them in – any kind of liquid you like! The most common mixture is equal parts raw rolled oats, milk and yogurt (I like 1/3 or 1/2 cup of each). You can use any kind of yogurt or milk. By adding chia seeds you are slowing the breakdown of carbos into sugar and prolonging endurance. The seed can absorb more than 10 times its weight in water which can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids.

Chia seeds provide the essential omega 3 & 6 oils. Chia seeds are 30% oil, of which 30% is omega 3 and 40% is omega 6, and have a long shelf life. They also have approximately two times the protein concentration and up to ten times the oil concentration of other grains, and are digestible without grinding.

Put in the fridge overnight (uncoverd or covered, your choice) and let ‘em soak up the liquids.
That’s the base, and toppings are endless. Add the toppings the night before or the next morning – either way works. Just don’t put anything in you don’t mind getting soggy (i.e. crunchy cereals)
There is NO COOKING involved at all! You can heat it a little in the microwave if you prefer it warm.

Overnight Oatmeal with Chia Seeds

1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 – 1/2 cup milk [depending on how thick you like it]
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/2 banana
1/2 Tbs chia seeds
Pinch salt
Pinch cinnamon

Stir everything together in a bowl. Place in fridge overnight. In the morning top with something crunchy and something with healthy fats – like nut butter or nuts.