Oats with Benefits

Good morning all!! Happy Thursday! 🙂

I thought this was so adorable…

(Image)

So close to the weekend!

If you’ve been following my blog or follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I eat oatmeal in some form every single morning. You could say I’m an oatmeal addict. But I have my reasons! Eating oatmeal for breakfast is a delicious way to add fiber and nutrients to your body first thing in the morning. Personally, it’s the only breakfast food that keeps me full until lunch. As a dancer, the proper nutrients are essential!

Whole Grain

Oatmeal is a whole grain, and eating whole grains can lower your risk for several diseases, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The food label on your package of oats should list one ingredient: whole grain oats. The less ingredients, the better! Avoid the weird prepackaged oatmeal that’s high in both sodium and sugar and lower in beneficial fiber. Also, whole grains such as oats are a source of iron, magnesium and B vitamins. WINNING.

Lower Cholesterol

Eating oatmeal can lower your cholesterol, especially your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. If you or your family has a history with high cholesterol, consider adding oatmeal to your daily menu. I promise you’ll thank me later. 😉

Lower Weight

Oatmeal is a source of fiber. That means when you eat oats for breakfast, you’re going to feel full for a good amount of time. Plus, it keeps you…regular…;) Who doesn’t like that?! Breakfast foods high in sugar and fat can make you feel full for a brief period, but then you’re hungry again. (Hi cereal!) A bowl of oats with a banana, cinnamon, and peanut butter will keep you satisfied until lunch! 🙂 Check out this recipe!

Oatmeal Options

If you’ve tried oatmeal before and didn’t like it, I beg you to reconsider! Combining fruit and/or nuts with your oats while they’re cooking adds more nutrients. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg give great flavor to your oats. Limit any sugars and let the natural flavor of the fruits and spices take over. Or, blend your oats with different fruits into a healthy oatmeal smoothie! BUT WAIT. Baked oatmeal is also amazing because it tastes like you’re basically eating dessert for breakfast! See these baked recipes by Lauren of The Oatmeal Artist…Banana Bread, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie?! I’M SO IN.

Since my body requires more protein than most people, I make sure to always add an egg white to my oats, and usually plain nonfat Greek Yogurt, peanut butter, nuts, and/or protein powder.

Still not convinced?! Let me help you….

ARE YOU DROOLING YET?! 😉

You can find all of these pictures on my Instagram page, plus tons more!

Have a simply oat-tastic day everyone! 🙂

XOXO

Question of the Day:
What’s your favorite breakfast food?