Oats so good for you

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Posted at 4:00PM, 31 October 2008 by Graham Holliday - Blogger

I don't know about you, but with a family and schools to get kids to, the first meal of the day is inevitably toast and coffee, lots of coffee and a hurried orange juice. According to a report out today I've got it all wrong. I'm not getting enough oats in the AM.

According to Nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, whose report is published in the British Food Journal today, health is all about oats. Oats for breakfast, and oats for lunch. The report found that a bowl of oats and a sandwich made out of oat flour bread is enough oat power to help us get through the day and keep a cap on that nasty cholesterol,

"Fifteen of the studies found regular consumption of oats cut total cholesterol levels among the 1,450 volunteers. In 13 studies, cholesterol levels were reduced "significantly" by up to 17 per cent. Three reported big reductions in harmful low-density lipoproteins and several found eating oats regularly boosted "good cholesterol".

The last thing I want to eat in the morning is something that's a task to prepare, a bit dull to eat

I'm not quite sure what lipoproteins are, apart from clearly not very good for you, but OK, I'm convinced that oats are healthy and I should be eating more of them. Quaker Oats try to convince us that a bowl of their oats can stem hunger for exactly 4 hours and 20 minutes. However, if you're anything like me, the last thing I want to eat in the morning is something that's a task to prepare, a bit dull to eat and looks like wallpaper paste. Yes, I know I could rustle up a tray of breakfast bars or invest in a box of Scots Porridge Oats and throw in some fruit to liven it up, but bleary eyed, caffeine low and kids to wrestle with, I need speed and simplicity.

I've scoured the food blogs to come up with some oaty inspiration, but it's a disturbing world out there. Apologies to oat blogger Lindsay at For the love of Oats for singling you out - I do feel your love for oats, but just not enough to want to follow your example in the scullery. So, for all the health benefits and unless you know of a way I can get my morning oats in a quick, easy and palatable form, I'll have to say thanks, but no thanks. I'll be sticking to toast and coffee with the odd incursion into the Special K rack at the local supermarket.

Comments

Gayns

1 November 2008, 10:21PM
Gayns

I was also like you - too much hastle etc until a nutritionalist told me I wasn't eating enough cereals so now I make a large batch of toasted oaty muesli once a week - the secret is to make it so yummy that you will want to make more when it runs out. Nigella has a great recipe where she toasts all the oats,pumpkin & sunflower seeds and nuts in the oven and then when they are cool add sultanas and apricots etc. I love it & it's not boring because it is all toasted and scrummy! I challenge you to have a go- I am definitely full up til lunchtime!

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Elaine

1 November 2008, 10:55PM
Elaine

Nothing beats warming porridge, especially on a cold, grey morning - it's a real hug in a bowl. I make mine in the microwave, so it's really quick, about 6 minutes tops. I also add a chopped apple and a tablespoon of McCann's steel-cut oatmeal, which gives the porridge a lovely, nutty texture.

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Anneli

3 November 2008, 1:49PM
Anneli

I have recently discovered oats for breakfast - I make mine with yoghurt the night before (about 4 tbsp oats to 4 tbsp bio yoghurt) which gives enough time for the oats to become soft overnight - throw in a handful of frozen berries too... and then I have breakfast ready with no hassle in the morning. You can also add some chopped banana or other fresh fruit if you don't just want the frozen ones.

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James

3 November 2008, 10:27PM
James

That's why we have oat so simple - 2 minutes in the micro while the coffee's brewing. Although I know someone who makes a large pot of traditional porridge at the begining of the week and keeps it in the fridge warming a bowlful every morning in the micro... Top with craisins and orange segments (I had a load left from the weekend). Toasted nuts are nice too. For a scottish flavour try drizzling Drambuie on top - maybe not on a work day though..... The reason it probably saves the cholesterol is because if you're eating oats you're not eating bacon and sausages - or is that just being cynical?

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James

3 November 2008, 10:29PM
James

Homemade rosehip jelly on top too - that's a treat

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Lily

5 November 2008, 12:14PM
Lily

I find mixing the porridge oats with rice milk makes it naturally sweet and creamy, as well as extra healthy. I also love it mixed with blueberries and figs for a bit of a morning fruit fix.

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MsVanDeKamp

5 November 2008, 1:46PM
MsVanDeKamp

During the summer I put 4 tbsps oats in a bowl and just cover with fruit juice (apple is my favourite) and leave to soak overnight. Then in the morning stir in a dollop of yogurt and any fruit I have lying around and breakfast is sorted!

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Annethebaker

6 November 2008, 7:22PM
Annethebaker

Well if we are in a rush in the morning as we usually are, 3 kids and 2 adults to get out, my husband often makes a smoothy with low fat milk, a banana or two, a fistful of frozen fruit (from Aldi - perfect) and another good fistful of oats and hey presto a fab smoothy!

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Jem

21 December 2011, 11:07AM
Jem

Any one ever tried the famous Swiss bircher mÃ¼sli it's so easy to prepare and tastes delicious. all you have to do is soak a portion of oats with some dried fruit over night in the fridge in apple juice (or milk if you prefer, but the apple juice adds a sweetness ) leave over night. in the morning add a chopped up apple or some seasonal fruit, mango is delicious or papaya with squeeze if lime , sprinkle some pumpkin seeds for some extra magnesium, or some nuts or almonds, add natural joghurt to taste, then eat as is or add a teaspoon full of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice , hey presto , it's really easy as you prepare the base in the evening and I find it more palettable than dry mÃ¼sli in the morning

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