overnight oats to the rescue!

18 Oct overnight oats to the rescue!

Let me tell you about overnight oats. They’re amazing! I know I’m late to the party on this one, but I’ve never really been an oatmeal person and I don’t own beautiful mason jars like the ones pictured in just about every overnight oats recipe. While I still don’t own a collection of mason jars, the good news is that I learned I can make them in a covered dish, serve up my portion the next morning and wait for it…they still taste the same. Additionally, I’ve gotten a little adventurous and tossed in some quinoa to change things up a bit. I’ve even snuck in ground flaxseed (chia seeds work too) for an extra omega 3 boost. Shh…

According to an article in Today’s Dietitian, “Oats are well known for their role as whole grains that are particularly rich in soluble fiber, specifically beta-glucan, which is the main component in oats that has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol and blood glucose levels. However, the benefits of oats go well beyond heart health and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Recent research shows that polyphenols in oats, called avenanthramides, may possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Oats also have shown a positive effect on gut health, an area of growing research. And cholesterol-reducing beta-glucan also may improve the health of our immune system by protecting against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.”

So skip over the processed and flavored instant oatmeal packages and take a few minutes to whip up a more nutritious version of an oatmeal breakfast that you can enjoy no matter how long you like to sleep in (or as a snack later in the day, your choice).