Oatmeal : A Body Beautiful Breakfast

Goldilocks was one smart chick that knew exactly what to eat to keep those blonde locks of hair shiny and healthy! When she helped herself to the three bears "porridge”, she was in fact starting off her day with a tasty bowl of oatmeal!! (Porridge is the name we use in Ireland for Oatmeal.)



So what’s all the fuss about oatmeal you say? I mean you probably hear it talked about all the time about how it’s the best way to start your day, even Starbucks now offers oatmeal for those morning coffee stoppers. But what exactly are the health benefits of Oatmeal and are all types created equal?? Let's clear up some of those questions so you can begin starting your day with a creamy bowl of oatmeal in a "Body Beautiful Breakfast" approved way!


Firstly, the boxes of oatmeal packets you find in the cereal section of your supermarket that advertises what sound like yummy sugary versions of oatmeal are just that. Sugary processed versions of a once nutritious food. They are devoid of any nutritional value, full of all the things you don’t want in your body and are to be avoided completely. They will do nothing for your health or looks I promise you. These are not a body beautiful breakfast approved choice.

Secondly, is the instant oatmeal or quick cook oatmeal. Again not a body beautiful breakfast approved choice! Why you ask? Well for the simple reason that the grains have been highly processed and so will contain something called phytic acid which "grabs on" or rather chelates important minerals like iron magnesium and calcium in our intestines making them unavailable to our body but it also inhibits some enzymes we need to digest our food which can lead to loss in bone density and mineral deficiencies! Not good!! (This is probably why in tradition so many cultures around the world practiced soaking and fermenting grains!)

So what is the best kind of oatmeal to eat nutrition wise? Well I suggest buying the "Old Fashioned Whole Rolled Oats". These are the larger flake oat and have not been processed like the instant quick cooking kinds. Bob's Mill makes a version as do Quaker Oats. And here's the important part;


In the old days (your grandparents may remember), the oatmeal came with directions for overnight soaking before cooking. The benefits of this are that it breaks down some of the harmful phytic acid, lessening its damaging effects and making the grain easier to digest! This is a very good thing!


I find the best way to soak your oatmeal is in water and a little plain yoghurt as the bacteria in yoghurt breaks down and neutralizes phytic acid. This really takes less than a minute to do before you go to bed and you'll have properly prepared oatmeal ready to cook in the morning with all its nutritional benefits ready for consumption. And the beauty with oatmeal is you can add so many different kinds of things like, nuts, fresh fruit, cinnamon, honey, cream, or butter, to enhance its flavor and make it a truly enjoyable start to your day! Definitely Body Beautiful Breakfast approved!


When oatmeal, is eaten after proper preparation its health benefits are numerous:
The soluble fiber in Oatmeal


• Helps you feel fuller longer and so can contribute to weight loss efforts.
• May reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes due to the soluble fiber helping to control blood glucose levels.
• May help reduce high blood pressure
• The fiber along with other nutrients may reduce the risk for certain cancers.


It contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron. Not to mention, it's quick, convenient and delicious!

So here to finish up is a recipe adapted from the creamy deliciousness that my mom would serve up on those cold Irish mornings before my sisters and I headed off to school!!

Sweet and Creamy Oatmeal

Ingredients:

I cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (soaked overnight)

1 cup Organic whole milk (or almond milk if your lactose intolerant)

1 tbsp raw honey or 1 packet of French Vanilla Stevia

1 tbsp Organic Heavy Cream

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In the morning, DRAIN your soaked oats and DRY them with a paper towel.

HEAT the milk over medium heat in a pot and bring to boil.

TURN down heat immediately and ADD oats and honey/Stevia.

STIR frequently and continue to simmer until oats have thickened to a creamy consistency.

POUR into a bowl and top with a splash of cream.

Eat and Enjoy!! Yum!!