How to Build Your Best Bowl of Oatmeal

January is National Oatmeal Month (I actually never knew this until yesterday).

Oatmeal is one of my FAVORITE foods, so upon learning that it has entire month, I quickly decided that I needed to write a post about it.

Oatmeal has many great healthy properties:

• A rich source of minerals:
  • Mangesium: key for bone health, brain health, blood pressure, blood sugar, methylation and detoxification
  • Manganese: Plays a role in blood sugar control, bone health, is part of the antixoidant superoxide dismutase
  • Iron: Key for healthy blood cells, carries oxygen to your cells, key for DNA health
  • Folate: Key for brain health, methylation, heart health, mood, production of key brain chemicals
  • Copper: Contains anti-inflammatory properties, boosts immune health, protects bone density, brain health, collagen production
• Contains beta-glucan: Contains heart and immune heath properties, anti-cancer, prevention of cancer sores and more. Contains the benefits you know of heart health with your daily oats.
• Good for blood sugar control- source of fiber plus the extra nutrients as above
• Cholesterol-healthy: May help to lower LDL and raise HDL
• Good for digestion: Fiber! And more

Have I sold you yet on include oats/oat products?

Which oats to buy?

I usually recommend buying gluten free oats, even if you aren’t gluten free. They’re a bit more expensive, but there’s less cross contamination of all sorta- more care is taken in their production. Also, I recommend getting rolled oats (yes you can still microwave them! 1 minute in the microwave!)

• Trader Joe’s has great gluten free oats (not expensive)
• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free rolled oats
• One Degree Organic Sprouted Gluten Free Rolled Oats

What to put on top?

This is where you can go crazy!

Always try to find a protein and/or fiber source and I love to add a natural sweet too:

Protein/fat:

• protein powder
• nuts (any!)
• seeds (any!)

Natural sweet:

• berries, banana or other fresh fruit
• honey, maple syrup
• dates/ figs or other dried fruit

Added crunch:

• granola
• dehydrated coconut
• cacao nibs

Here’s a few recipes for you!

Cashew Butter and Strawberry Sprouted Oatmeal Recipe

Strawberry and Coconut Oatmeal

Blueberry Coconut Sprouted Oatmeal

Blueberry Almond Oatmeal

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