Megan here, talking about our favorite food group – chocolate! My family isn’t dairy-free, but we know that many are you are for various reasons. Some people have to stop eating dairy for their breastfeeding baby who isn’t tolerating dairy in human milk, or perhaps it doesn’t sit well with your system. We get messages all the time about adjusting to dairy-free life when you’re used to eating it. Enter Enjoy Life chocolate chips (not sponsored). They’re a godsend for those who don’t do dairy but really miss chocolate and want to satisfy a sweet craving!
Here are some great ways to enjoy them:
- Eat a handful of chocolate chips
- Pretzels dipped into melted chocolate
- Chocolate chips and nut butter on graham crackers
- Lara or other energy/granola bar dipped into melted chocolate
- Energy ball
- Chocolate-covered strawberry
Above are just some ways to use chocolate chips or melted chocolate – all of which can make needing to be dairy-free for baby a wee bit easier. To make energy balls (adapted from Gimme Some Oven), combine 1 cup uncooked oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut/seed butter, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (no honey for babies), and 2 T chia seeds; roll into balls and refrigerate to set. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Keep in mind that some of these ideas aren’t allergen free, so adapt if necessary! (Note: Larabar also has dairy free chocolate chip options, but it’s always more fun to dip it in chocolate sauce!)