Ingredients

• 1 cup milk of choice

• 4 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1-2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you want it)
  

Equipment

• Jar

Instructions

1. Mix the milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and cocoa powder into a jar and shake.

2. Place in the fridge for ten minutes and take it out to shake again.

3. Leave in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next morning. Top with whatever you want!

The Novel

No matter how many times I try to eat less sugar—and more specifically, less chocolate—I just cannot for the life of me stick to that kind of regiment. Every single day, without fail, I crave chocolate. Should I get that checked out? Probably. But until I do, I’ve found a workaround that lets me lean into my chocolate addiction without completely drowning in sugar: chocolate chia seed pudding.

And let’s be real, isn’t chia pudding basically the official food of people who live in athleisure? I imagine every girl who exclusively wears leggings and sports bras subsists on a steady diet of chia seeds and avocados. They wake up in their matching Lululemon set, hair somehow already done, do an effortlessly graceful yoga or pilates flow, and whip up a bowl of chia seed pudding topped with half an avocado because #health. Is that the life you want? Then whip up this pudding and maybe drop $400 on some new activewear while you’re at it.

Now, full disclosure: if you’re someone who’s weird about texture, this might not be your jam (or pudding). That said, you could try blending it—I hear that helps. But really, texture quirks? It’s time to grow up. Unless we’re talking about apple pie or scrambled eggs—those are valid texture battles and you get a pass. But if you can get over the texture of chia pudding, you’ll feel just a little superior for eating something that tastes indulgent but secretly fuels you with omega-3s and fiber.