I have to be honest: I was never really a huge fan of oatmeal. I always found it bland and boring, and the texture wasn’t doing anything for me either. That was until I realized all the wonderful health benefits of eating it AND the wonderfully delicious ways to prepare it, not to mention its affordable price!

Health Benefits of Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent way to start your day for a number of reasons:

It’s high in fiber: Oatmeal contains 4g of fiber per one cup cooked, including soluble fiber, which is great for reducing cholesterol, and insoluble fiber, which promotes healthy digestion.

It’s low in fat and calories: It has just 3.2g of fat and 147 calories per cup!

It’s high in protein: In fact, oatmeal has the highest protein content of all grains, coming in at 6g per cup.

It keeps you feeling full longer: Low on the glycemic index (GI), oatmeal digests slowly, stabilizing your blood sugar and keeping you feeling satisfied longer while avoiding premature mid-morning stomach rumblings. This is great for diabetes prevention and for healthy weight management.

Oatmeal is also a good source of essentials like vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron, calcium and magnesium.

Tips for Optimal Oatmeal Enjoyment

• Try to stay away from the packaged varieties in stores that come with extra sugar and unhealthy artificial stuff (always read labels).
• Buy rolled oats in bulk, simmer them on the stove and add your favorite natural flavorings, such as nuts, seeds, fruit, spices, and your preferred type of milk.
• Add oats to your smoothies to make them more filling and also add extra nutritional value.
• Try making overnight oats, a no-stove-necessary option that’s great for saving time in the morning, or for camping trips.
• Don’t want to make your own? Try our wholesome Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Quinoa and Mixed Fruits.

 

Easy Oatmeal Recipe

• 1 cup organic rolled oats
• 2 cups water

Toppings:

• 1 pinch of cinnamon
• 1 drizzle of maple syrup
• 1 sprinkle of chia seeds
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Method:

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in oats and simmer until the water is absorbed and the oats are cooked. Pour oatmeal into a bowl and top with cinnamon, maple syrup, chia seeds and milk.

Enjoy!