OATMEAL: 28grams (1 small bowl) per day = 5% lower death risk (because the leading causes of death involve your heart and oatmeal is great for your heart)
Oatmeal has many health benefits and is quick and easy to prepare in the morning before work and school. You can also add a variety of fruits (both fresh and dried), nuts, seeds (chia seeds, pumpkin, sunflower) and spices (cinnamon) to the oatmeal to give it different flavours and boost it’s nutritional value even more!
This boosted version of oatmeal that I made for my kids before school took about 5 mins:
- quick oats & boiling water (protein and vitamins)
- hemp hearts (protein)
- ground flax (healthy fibre and anti-inflammatory)
- cinnamon (anti-inflammatory)
- chopped banana (vitamin C, fibre, protein)
- rasins (protein, antioxidants)
- dried cranberries (fibre, antioxidants)
- pumpkin and sunflower seeds (good fats for the brain!)
- a heaping scoop of coconut mango whip (healthy fat and vitamins)
- a small blob of maple syrup since my kids like it on the sweeter side (they are kids after all!)
- scoop of peanut butter (healthy fats, protein)
Some of the health benefits of oatmeal are:
– BETA GLUCAN (which is an extremely helpful sugar) – reduces absorption of cholesterol reducing LDL 7% (similar to a statin drug but without side effects)
– beta glucan also increases the production of bile salts which are critical for the digestion and absorption of fats (prevention of gall stones)
– it contains vitamins and minerals such as copper, manganese, iron, b vitamins
– oats are a source of soluble fibre which lowers cholesterol (lowering the risk of heart disease)
– oats are anti-inflammatory; lowering your blood pressure; reducing arthritis
– they help control your body weight
– improve liver function (fatty liver disease is now the most common cause of liver disease, even more than alcohol)
– increase positive gut flora (beneficial bacteria in your stomach and intestines)
With all these health benefits and so many ways to make it delicious I hope you consider making oatmeal a part of your morning!
Plant Based Jenny 