These humble grains are oh-so-good for you
Looking for a filling breakfast? Oats, either cooked to make porridge – delicious topped with sliced banana, raisins or pumpkin seeds – or served raw with dried fruits in muesli, make an excellent start to the day. They can also be used in flapjacks or biscuits. They are a power food – here’s why they’re so good for you:
Oats reduce your chances of getting heart disease. Studies show that regularly eating oats can reduce cholesterol, which in turn could reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 30%.
Eating oats can help weight loss because they are low in calories. They also make you feel full for longer, helping to keep you away from the biscuit tin!
They are a low-GI food and help keep blood-sugar levels on an even keel.
They contain many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron.
Oats are a good source of B vitamins, which are vital for maintaining energy levels.
Oats are one of the best grain sources of protein.
Oats are a good form of both soluble and insoluble fibre.
The most common forms of oats are rolled oats, which come in jumbo and regular varieties.