Let me guess, you read the title and cringed.
Or maybe that's just my roomie. Unfortunately, oatmeal always seems to always get a bad rap. Maybe it's the outward appearance or maybe it's the texture. Maybe people just reject absolutely scrumptious and healthy breakfast meals. Who knows. As for me, I'm a big fan of the oats. Sometimes, I even whip up a quick batch for dinner. Is that weird? Probably. At least there's some benefit to my love affair. Read below and let me entice you to add a bowl o' oats to your morning menu.
4 Reasons to include oatmeal in your morning routine:
1. Stay full. Oatmeal contains fiber. Fiber takes a longer time for your body to break down. Because of this lengthy process, your stomach feels full for a much longer amount of time. This fullness will prevent you from sneaking unhealthy snacks until it's time for your next meal. You'll be full of energy and ready to take on the day.
2. Lower cholesterol. The fiber in oatmeal (as mentioned above) also plays a role in lowering bad cholesterol in the body (LDL cholesterol). Tip: Pick steel cut oats over instant or rolled.
Sure, they take a little bit longer to cook, but they contain a greater amount of fiber content (fiber=fullness=lowered cholesterol).
3. Lower blood pressure. Oatmeal, as well as any diet that includes fiber and whole grains, helps keep your blood pressure levels in check. When your blood pressure is in a healthy range, the risk for heart disease is significantly reduced. Tempted to whip up a bowl of oatmeal yet? Keep reading.
4. Play dress up. Berries, cinnamon, walnuts, oh my! If you really want to enjoy oatmeal, but are still uncertain about the look or texture of it, remember that you can always dress up your bowl o' oats. Sprinkle any type of fruit (dried, frozen or fresh) or slices of nuts in the bowl — get creative! I'll even allow you to add a teeny tiny amount of my mom's favorite oatmeal topping, dark chocolate chips.
Looking to get extra snazzy with your morning oats? Check out some of these fun, Pinterest-inspired oatmeal recipes I found. Click the title (link) above the image to find the recipe. Enjoy!
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