Why You Should Start Your Day With OATS

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. It always amazes us how many people skip this meal and disregards it as important.

The reason it is called “breakfast” is because you are breaking the fast you just had while sleeping during the night. I mean, if you think about it, you probably haven’t eaten anything for at least 6 hours, or more if you’re like me and eat dinner at 7:00 p.m. then breakfast around 7:30/8:00 am. That’s 12 hours that my body has had nothing added to it besides water.  This is why it’s so important to begin day with a healthy breakfast.

There are a few reasons why it’s a great food to begin your day with:

• It’s full of fiber.
• It assists in weight loss by keeping you full longer.
• It gives you energy.
• If eaten before exercising it could help you burn more fat and calories.
• It is a good source of protein and complex carbs.
• Oatmeal contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• It’s quick and convenient.

BREAKFABULOUS OATMEAL

If you wake up and hit the ground running without taking time to “fuel up” you are running on fumes and it won’t be long before your tank is empty. Just like your car needs gas before the road trip you need fuel before you begin your day! You will be sharper and have more energy when you do!

Not only will you feel better you will also have a higher metabolism! Imagine a wood burning oven – what would happen if you don’t add any logs to the fire throughout the night? The fire will go out! What is the first thing you are going to do? Add some logs to the fire, right? Well, your body has a metabolism that is similar to a wood burning oven if you don’t add fuel after a long night you won’t start your fire (metabolism).

Breakfast might help spare you the cravings and over eating later on in the day.  If you start your day “empty” (skipping breakfast) you will often finish your day feeling “empty” and potentially wind up eating a lot more at the end of the day. Oatmeal is a whole grain loaded with nutrition – check out the tips below and make your oatmeal nutritious, tasty, and of course fabulous!

Oatmeal is one of those foods everyone thinks is super healthy. But, is that really the case?

Oats are said to lower bad cholesterol, keep us feeling fuller for longer, as well as being a good source of important nutrients. And, if you normally eat Pop Tarts for breakfast, then yes, oatmeal is obviously a better choice. However, if you think all oats are created equal, think again. There are definitely some oats which should not grace your breakfast table. Ever.

What Are Oats?

If we are to understand how to make a better breakfast choice, it’s important to understand exactly how oats are processed. Oat groats are the oat kernels with the hulls removed. They can be used to make porridge, however cooking takes a long time. You won’t normally find the whole form of the oat groats. What you usually buy at the supermarket are steel-cut, rolled, or instant oats.

Steel-cut oats are whole groats chopped up. These take longer to cook, contain more of their original nutrients, and taste nuttier than regular oats. Rolled oats are steamed groats that have been rolled out and flattened. Instant oats are rolled, steamed, and precooked oats. These will often have sweet flavorings added, and are the least healthy option.

What Are The Benefits Of Oatmeal?

There are a number of benefits of eating oatmeal, although you can’t get those benefits from other foods just as easily. Regardless, they are only a healthy breakfast option, if you make the right choice.

Oats are a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate blood sugar levels. They also contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and are a source of protein and complex carbohydrates. You will often hear that eating oatmeal can help to lower cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. This is because of the soluble fiber content.

Soluble fiber is a very good thing in the diet, you can get soluble fiber from other foods. Alternative sources of soluble fiber include fruits and vegetables, as well as oat bran, nuts, flaxseeds, lentils, dried peas and beans, and psyllium.

Oatmeal can be a healthy addition to your diet. The reality is, however, that most people do not eat plain oatmeal. If you wake up in the morning to a fresh bowl of plain oats, with absolutely no additives (sugar, syrup, fruit, salt etc), you are in the minority. On the other hand, if you take old fashioned oats, and adulterate them with lashings of sugar, cream and jam, you should know it’s not really breakfast, but dessert you’re having.

Oatmeal Recipes

1. Chunky Monkey Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 Scoop Fitmixer Chocolate Protein Powder
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1/3 of a mashed banana or two tbsp. mashed
• 1 tbsp. All Natural, no sugar added Peanut Butter

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil and add oats. Stir and cook until a thick, creamy mixture begins to form. Remove from heat and add in protein powder, peanut butter and banana. Scoop into a bowl and top with sliced bananas. You could also top with more peanut butter! Yum!

Nutrition Facts: Calories – 363, Carbs – 42, Fat – 12, Protein – 25, Sugar – 6

This next one can easily be done the night before so all you have to do is heat it up in the morning. You could also leave it cold and cut it into bars to enjoy on the run!

2. Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal

• 3/4 cup of Old Fashioned Oats
• 1/2 Scoop Fitmixer Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk,  unsweetened coconut milk, or milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a small baking pan or ramekin with cooking spray. In a bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, egg and milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Enjoy hot or cold as a healthy, hearty breakfast!

Nutrition Facts: Calories – 411, Carbs - 61, Fat – 14 Protein – 25, Sugar – 9

Any way you enjoy it, oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day!