Springtime is here and the kids are running around outside again! WHOOHOO! When the kids and I spend a lot of time outside, I really like to have easy-to-make snacks for them, so we can get back to playing. Since my son is a bit of a picky eater, I need his food to pull double-duty. Lately, for our morning snack time, both the kids have been asking for chocolate milk. So at snack time, I quickly whip up some Chocolatey Vitamin Milk. It’s a tasty drink that I know they both will have AND it’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber!

Good-For-You Ingredients

I really love my local natural food stores. There are so many amazing products available and usually someone there to answer your questions and guide you in the right direction. While talking with the “vitamin guy” at Whole Foods about making meals for my picky eater, he suggested I add “green superfoods” to the smoothies I make. These are powdered multinutrient supplements, usually made from whole foods such as greens, fruits, and vegetables. There were quite a few brands and I didn’t know which ones tasted good. Luckily for me, they carry single serving sizes to try.

Superfood Powdered Supplements

Since my kids have been on a chocolate milk kick lately, we have been using the chocolate flavored ones. I happen to have some premade chocolate almond milk in the fridge, but you can use any milk you like. If you use a milk and a chocolate syrup or chocolate powder, I usually make the chocolate milk first and then add my supplements. After several preliminary taste testings, my little scientist have decided that they like the Amazing Grass and Greens + brands of chocolate flavored super foods supplements. Today I used the last packet of Greens + Organic Amazon Chocolate flavor. Looks like we need to get some more.

Cha-Cha-Cha Chia

I personally am in love with chia seeds. I like the nutritional profile of chia seeds and I like the way they become “gel-like” after they absorb liquid. Chia seeds are a concentrated food containing healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium, according to the USDA. BUT my main reason for adding chia seeds to this drink is to help with bowel regulation! Sometimes my kiddos have hard stools, they strain more, or have a difficult time having a bowel movement. If you have ever had a baby or toddler that was constipated, it is not fun for anyone! I make sure they have some chia seeds, at least every other day to help stay “regular.” I use one adult serving for 2 kids.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

While I offer fish at dinnertime at least once a week, my children don’t always choose to eat it. So I like to given them an Omega-3 supplement, because the body does not make it’s own Omega-3 Fatty Acids. I found a line of Children’s Omegas from Nordic Naturals which I like. I chose the baby DHA because it isn’t flavored and I can add it to smoothies. It does have a natural but mild fish taste because it’s made from Arctic Cod, but I found that one dropper full per smoothie isn’t detectable by my picky palates. Nordic Naturals has other liquid Omega-3 supplements that are fruit flavored and would be good in a fruit smoothie. Check out this WebMD fact sheet about Omega-3 if you would like to know more about Omega-3s.

Mix it up!

Now that you have all of your ingredients together, it’s time to mix them up! I use a Vitamix blender simply because it is powerful enough to pulverize the chia seeds. This leaves my smoothies, well, smooth. My son has a thing with textures, so having this tool in my kitchen is a real life saver. If you or your kids don’t mind the texture of the “gelled” chia seeds, any blender, or even shaker cup will do. After I blend up this drink, the chia seeds thicken it up a little bit more, so it’s almost like a milkshake. You could also add ice cubes to give a milkshake or frosty consistency.

FYI: none of these comapnies I mentioned above know me. Me and my family just happen to like these products a lot. I do however get a tiny bit of money if you purchase these items thru my Amazon store, but you can find all of these products at your local health food store.

The end result is a vitamin and mineral enriched chocolate milk. It still tastes like the original form, just fortified with nutritional goodness. Enjoy!