What’s better on a chilly fall morning than a bubbling pot of oatmeal? This time of year, breakfast lovers may take their love for oatmeal to a fever pitch, sometimes creating the hearty brew two or three times a week. Our favorite “old standby” method to prepare this morning classic is to use rolled oats (not instant, not steel cut) with a handful of blueberries, a scant tablespoon of dark brown sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, a whisper of cinnamon and a splash of milk. This yummy mixture can help face their day feeling refreshed!
We all know oatmeal is good, but do you know why it’s so good for you? Here are six reasons the American Cancer Society says the soluble and insoluble fiber found in oats is so nutritious for you:
1. Insoluble fiber’s cancer-fighting properties are due to the fact it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity.
2. Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is good.
3. Soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch. This may be beneficial to diabetics because, when you slow down the digestion of starch, you avoid the sharp rises in your blood sugar level that usually occur following a meal.
4. It has been found that those who eat more oats are less likely to develop heart disease, a disease that is currently widespread in the United States.
5. The photochemicals in oats may also have cancer-fighting properties.
6. Oats are a good source of many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are also a good source of protein.
Choosing a fruit topping for your oatmeal won’t steer your diet wrong either. There are so many health benefits found in blueberries (antioxidants), bananas (potassium) and various other dried fruits (hello, fiber!) that you can’t help but feel good about adding this delicious topping! So, fire up the stove and have a good oatmeal-y morning.
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