Decadent Chocolate Chia Protein Bowl (Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free)

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Nourish your loved ones with a healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert. This Decadent Chocolate Chia Protein Bowl is a dairy-free, gluten-free, lower sugar treat that the whole family will love. Packed with plant-based chocolate protein powder and a hidden boost of antioxidants from beet powder, it provides the clean energy everyone needs to tackle the day. It’s the perfect way to get a healthy, "pudding-like" meal onto the table during those busy weekday mornings! It is really yummy with our Easy Toasted Gluten-Free Granola (with Coconut and Chia).

For a nutritional boost, I love using the Navitas Organics Cacao Powder in this recipe instead of using regular cocoa powder. The primary benefits of Cacao Powder include:

• Cacao helps your blood vessels relax and lower blood pressure, improving heart health (PMC4696435).

• It increases blood flow to the brain to improve memory and mood (PMC3575938).

• Its natural antioxidants protect your body's cells from stress and damage, lowering inflammation (PMC11590920).

I also like adding a bit of beet powder for an additional antioxidant boost. I have been using Plantfusion Organic Fermented Beet Powder and it blends so well in this recipe with the cherry and chocolate flavors. Check out "Food for Thought" and the end of this post to learn more about the nutritional benefits of beet powder.

A bit about plant-based protein powders

I have tried many different plant-based protein powders. Some can taste bland or not disolve properly leaving a gritty texture. I tried Truvani's plant-based protein powders a few years ago and got hooked. I love that all the ingredients are organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They also don't add any sugars, just a tiny bit of monk fruit. Their flavors are also so yummy! For this recipe I used my the Truvani Organic Plant-Based Chocolate Protein Powder. This chocolate flavored plant-based protein powder pairs so well with the cacao powder and cherries in this recipe to create a yummy "black-forest" flavor. The protein powder blends up so well and tastes great!

Check out Shop My Kitchen Essentials for other great gluten-free cooking products and non-toxic kitchenware I use in my home.

Check out other great recipes to add to your weekly rotation:

• Crispy Grain-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles (Gluten and Dairy-Free)

• Crispy Baked Lime and Spiced Rubbed Chicken Wings

• The BEST Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Meatballs (with hidden veggies)

• Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie (Dairy-Free)

  
  

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below👇 and let me know how it turned out—I absolutely love hearing from you!

How to make this Decadent Chocolate Chia Protein Bowl

To make, gather your ingredients: chia seeds, almond milk, high-quality unsweetened cacao powder (I love Navitas Organics Cacao Powder), plant-based chocolate protein powder (try out the Truvani Organic Plant-Based Chocolate Protein Powder), frozen cherries. The final "hero" ingredient comes from fermented beet powder (PlantFusion makes a great one!). Once you blend the beet powder with chocolate and frozen cherries, you won't even know it's there.

You will create a delicious creamy smoothie base. From there, think of this bowl as a blank canvas—let the kids get creative and make it their own with whatever toppings are in the pantry. One of my daughters loves bananas and blueberries, and my other loves strawberries and blueberries (for special mornings, I let them sprinkle on 1/4 tsp of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips).

I prefer mine with any berries I can find in the fridge, chopped bananas, shredded coconut, and sliced almonds for some crunch. These are great to make ahead as meal prep and pop in the fridge. Enjoy!

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Antioxidant Powerhouse: Fermented Beet Powder

Upgrade your routine with fermented beet root powder, a low-sugar superfood packed with deep red antioxidants that fight daily inflammation and boost nutrient absorption (PubMed).

While regular beets are high in sugar, fermentation uses good bacteria to eliminate those sugars for a keto-friendly, crash-free energy boost (ScienceDirect).

This process also removes the harsh compounds that cause bloating, making it incredibly easy to digest (PubMed).

Finally, it delivers natural nitrates that open blood vessels to lower blood pressure, sharpen focus, and flood your muscles with oxygen to crush your workouts (MDPI), (PubMed).