Oats so Good!

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and it often consists of oats. I never get bored of porridge because there are so many ways you can eat it.

As well as tasting great oats are really good for us! Here I look at the health benefits of eating oats and ideas of how you can get them into your diet.

The Reasons why Oats are Good for our Health:

Nutritious

Oats are a good source of carbohydrates, fibre and contain more protein and fat than most other grains.

Oats also contain a lot of minerals and vitamins which are good for our health including Phosphorous, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Folate, Vitamin B1 and B5.

Oats contain Beta-Glucan which improves the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. It has many other benefits as well which are discussed below.

High in Antioxidents

These help to lower blood pressure and have anti-inflammatory affects.

Fill you up

The Beta-Glucan in oats forms a gel like substance in the gut which helps you feel full. This can help you lose weight. It slows the emptying of the stomach and hormones are released which help make you feel full.

Lower risk of Heart disease

Oats are thought to lower the risk of heart disease by reducing both cholesterol levels and protecting cholesterol from oxidation.

Control Blood Sugar

Beta-Glucan helps improve insulin sensitivity.

Improve skin condition

Oats are a common ingredient in a lot of skin products.

Keep you regular

The fibre in oats helps prevent and reduce symptoms of constipation.

Ways to eat oats:

Porridge - I often add things like fruits such as bananas or berries, honey, seeds and love trying new ways of eating it.
Muesli
Granola
Add raw oats to yoghurt
With fruits
Add to smoothies
In bread – they add a great flavour and texture to bread.
Baked goods – oats make great breakfast bars and for when you want a treat they taste great in flapjacks, added to biscuits or crumbles.