3 Health Benefits of Oatmeal (and 4 Recipes!)

Did you know that oatmeal is one of the oldest cereals? Celebrate this delicious and nutritious breakfast food on February 8^th for Oatmeal Monday. Every second Monday of February oatmeal is recognized for the superfood that it is. This holiday started over 300 years ago in Scotland when university students would have to bring their own food to campus and a common food item they would bring would be oatmeal!

Oatmeal has been around for thousands of years as a great energy source to start the day off right. It is a great breakfast choice all year round and you can enjoy your bowl of oats in the morning knowing that you are filling your body with nutritious food.

Oatmeal Monday is often observed by making your favorite oatmeal recipe. What is so amazing about oatmeal is its versatility. You can eat it as a breakfast cereal, hot or cold, or transform it into something completely different like an oatmeal muffin! Pure oats are also gluten-free, so recipes utilizing them can be enjoyed by people with gluten intolerances too.

3 Health Benefits of Oatmeal

You can eat your oatmeal however you like and still benefit from its nutritional profile. Oatmeal contains many nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Here are just some of the benefits of eating oatmeal:

Rich in Micronutrients: Oatmeal contains the micronutrients iron, zinc, and a multitude of B vitamins. These nutrients allow for the body to function properly by aiding in metabolic processes and carrying out other important tasks.

High in soluble fiber: Fiber is known to help lower your risk of heart disease by lowering the bad cholesterol, LDL as well as blood glucose. Fiber is also needed to keep your digestive system healthy and promotes the growth of good bacteria.

Rich in antioxidants: Oatmeal contains many antioxidants, such as polyphenols, that protect your cells from damage and have anti-inflammatory properties.

4 Delicious Recipes to Try

Turn your Monday around by trying these nutritious and tasty oatmeal recipes. You can try one of the ones listed below or just add your favorite fruits or nuts to a hearty bowl of oats. Here are some of my favorite ways to eat oats:

Berry Oatmeal Bowl: Adding berries on top of oatmeal is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it adds flavor as well as additional nutrients.

Banana and Peanut Butter Oatmeal: Add sliced banana and a dollop of peanut butter to add some protein and yummy taste for a well-balanced breakfast.

Apple Pie Oatmeal: Recreating apple pie in oatmeal form is just as yummy as the real thing! All you need to do is add apple slices with some nutmeg and cinnamon.

Brown Sugar Maple Oatmeal: This is a classic way to eat oatmeal because it is so delicious! Combine a sprinkling of brown sugar with a little maple syrup with oatmeal for some added sweetness.

There are many wonderful resources available to assist you in finding the perfect oatmeal-based recipe, such as my most recent cookbook, Enjoying Food Peace: Recipes and Intuitive Eating Wisdom to Nourish Your Body and Mind, which you can purchase here if you haven’t already.

Now that you have learned about the benefits of oatmeal and some fun recipes to spice up your oatmeal, you can properly celebrate Oatmeal Monday!

Your Turn to Take Action: How will you be eating your oats for Oatmeal Monday this year? Let me know in the comments below.