Yogurt Parfait with Oats & Fruit (First Try!)

                                     

Hello, beautiful people!

As we continue our journey from picky to tasty, I wanted to share a new breakfast idea that I’m excited (and a little nervous!) to try with my son, Ermias. Breakfast time has been a challenge lately, as he’s become more selective with the foods he’s willing to eat. He loves yogurt, fruit, and cereal, but it’s time to take it up a notch and add some extra nutrition to his morning routine.

Why I’m Excited (and Nervous!) About This Recipe:

If you’ve been following along, you know that Ermias has become a picky eater lately. He used to eat everything in sight, but now, as he’s growing, he’s becoming more particular about what he eats. We’re trying to slowly expand his palate, but it’s a slow process—especially when he’s used to eating the same few things.I love that he enjoys yogurt and fruit, so I thought, why not build on that foundation and create a fun parfait that includes oats and chia seeds? However, I’m a little nervous about adding oats. Ermias isn’t a fan of oatmeal, so this is an experiment to see if he’ll like it when combined with yogurt and fruit. I’m hoping the familiar flavors will make the oats more appealing. It’s all about sneaking in those extra nutrients in ways he won’t even notice!

This will be Ermias’s first time trying this recipe, and I’m crossing my fingers that it’s a hit! Here’s how I’m making it:

Yogurt & Fruit Parfait with Oats and Chia Seeds Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (we use dairy-free yogurt since Ermias has a milk sensitivity)

• 1/4 cup oats (I’m using rolled oats for a smooth texture)

• 1 tsp chia seeds (optional, but these will add a lot of great nutrients like fiber and omega-3s)

• 1/2 cup fresh fruit (I’m going with berries, banana slices, and maybe a little mango)

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, just to sweeten things up a little)

• 1/4 cup cereal (I’ll use Ermias’s favorite cereal—either crushed or left whole depending on his preference)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the oats:
   I’ll mix the oats with a splash of water or a dairy-free milk (like almond or soy milk). After that, I’ll let them sit for about 10 minutes to soften. If I prep this the night before, it can be made into overnight oats, but for today, I’m keeping it simple.

2. Layer the parfait:
   Once the oats are ready, I’ll layer them in a small bowl or cup, followed by a layer of yogurt. After that, I’ll add some fresh fruit. I’m planning to mix the fruit with the yogurt so it’s smooth, but I’ll leave the fruit on top too for added texture.

3. Add chia seeds:
   I’m sprinkling chia seeds over the top of the parfait for an extra nutritional boost. I’m hoping Ermias will be open to the little crunch of the seeds, but we’ll see!

4. Top with cereal and sweetener:
   Finally, I’ll top it all off with a bit of cereal for some crunch. I may drizzle a little honey or maple syrup to make it a little sweeter and more appealing to him.

5. Serve and Enjoy:
   I’m going to let Ermias help mix everything together (he loves doing that!), and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that he’s excited to try this new take on his regular breakfast.

Why I’m Hopeful:

• Familiar Flavors: I’m sticking with yogurt, fruit, and cereal—things that Ermias already loves. By adding in oats and chia seeds, I’m hoping he’ll be open to the change without feeling like the meal is too unfamiliar.

• Added Nutrition: The oats and chia seeds will give him extra fiber, protein, and omega-3s. I think this is a great way to slowly sneak in more nutritious ingredients while still keeping the meal comforting and familiar.

• Fun Texture: I’m excited about the different textures—creamy yogurt, soft oats, and crunchy cereal. I’m hoping that the texture variety will make it more interesting for him.

What I’m Nervous About:

I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous. Will he like it? Will he reject the new ingredients, or will he be willing to give it a try? As a mom, you always want to find the perfect balance between making new foods fun and keeping them familiar enough for your picky eater. But I know that it’s all part of the process—trial and error, right?

The addition of oats is a big step since Ermias has never been a fan of oatmeal, but I’m hoping that the combination of textures and familiar flavors will make it more enjoyable for him. We’re taking things slow, and that’s okay!

The Plan:

I’ll be sure to check back in with an update on how Ermias reacts to this recipe, so stay tuned! I’m hoping this will be a great success, but even if it’s not, I’m excited to keep trying new ideas and expanding his taste buds. After all, every attempt counts as progress!

Have You Tried Something Similar?

I’d love to hear if any of you have tried a yogurt parfait like this with your picky eater! How did it go? What other breakfast ideas have you found that work for getting kids to try new things? Let me know in the comments!

Grocery List for Yogurt & Fruit Parfait with Oats and Chia Seeds:

• Dairy-free yogurt (plain or vanilla, depending on your preference)

• Rolled oats (you can buy gluten-free if needed)

• Chia seeds (optional, but they add a lot of nutrients)

• Fresh fruit (such as berries, bananas, and mango)

• Honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

• Cereal (any type your son enjoys; can be crushed or left whole)