This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

This vanilla chia pudding is light and quick for a breakfast on the go. Can be made dairy free and does not use yogurt, this basic recipe is very easy to customize to your diet. I love the proportions here for a chia pudding that’s got good texture. 

I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about Heal Your Headache safe breakfasts that are high in protein. The natural default is to recommend eggs or oatmeal, but some find eggs to be a trigger and others are hungry an hour later after oatmeal (or is that just me?). Enter this simple recipe for vanilla chia pudding!

Chia pudding is wonderful for migraine sufferers because it’s a good source of protein, fiber, calcium, and most importantly, magnesium. In fact, 4 tablespoons of chia contains half of the recommended daily allowance of magnesium. This doesn’t mean that you can take fewer magnesium supplements, but it’s a nice way to supplement your magnesium intake since it is one of the most important preventatives we can take.

It’s also low carb, gluten free, vegetarian, and paleo (if using hemp milk). What more could you want?

Did you also know that in this recipe for vanilla chia pudding, you’re looking at roughly 17-20 grams of protein? 1/4 cup of chia runs around 7-8 grams, homemade hemp milk or cows milk is about 8 grams, and a tablespoon of sunbutter will get you between 3-4 grams. Add some extra seeds and you’re really getting the same amount you would from 3 eggs.

The only thing that I find to be a drawback? The texture. Most recipes out there contain, what I believe, is too much milk and it makes everything sort of slimy.

I find the 1/4 cup of chia to 1 cup of milk works best. Mix in sunbutter for extra creaminess and this buckwheat granola for a little crunch. I promise, you won’t miss yogurt once you try this. You could make a few of these on a Sunday for a little meal prep action.

Other chia pudding topping options to mix it up include:

• Add buckwheat granola
• Or grain-free seed granola
• For a fall flavor – 1 tbsp of pumpkin, plus 1/4 tsp of ginger and cinnamon
• Blueberries, mango, and/or pomegranate seeds
• If feeling super decadent, try with strawberries and 1 tbsp of mascarpone cheese, omit the sunbutter.
• Try it blended!