Feed Your Stomach and Gut with Overnight Oats

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, experts say. But rushed schedules often make it difficult to find time for it. Here’s where Overnight Oats come in. Take three simple ingredients, mix them together and store in your fridge overnight. The next morning you have a quick breakfast that’s ready to eat all week long.

Plus, not only does it taste good, it has protein, calcium and fiber. The yogurt also contains probiotics, which are live bacteria. The oats have prebiotics, which is a special plant material that nourishes that bacteria. Both work together to promote gut health.

Try the topping combinations below, or customize your own from our list.

Overnight Oats

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill: overnight

2 cups regular rolled oats
1 1/2 cups milk or coconut, soy or almond milk
1 cup plain Greek yogurt

In large bowl stir together oats, milk and yogurt. Divide between six 8-ounce jars. Cover. Chill overnight. In the morning, stir and serve with toppers, if you’d like.

Blueberry Pie Topper

Top one jar with:
1 tablespoon blueberry preserves
2 tablespoons fresh blueberries
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons sliced almonds, toasted

Pecan Pie Topper

Top one jar with:
2 tablespoons toasted pecans
1 tablespoon whipped topping
1 teaspoon maple syrup

Strawberry Fields Topper

Top one jar with:
2 strawberries, sliced
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or a pinch dried thyme

Tips:

• This recipe works best with rolled oats. Quick oats can get too mushy.
• Give the oats a final stir right before eating.
• Add toppings not too long before you are going to serve. Don’t include them overnight.

Here are some additional topping ideas to personalize your Overnight Oats:

toasted coconut
ground cinnamon
apple pie spice
ground nutmeg
banana slices
peanut butter
almond butter
granola
pineapple chunks
walnuts
hazelnuts
chopped pear
orange segments
chopped mango
chopped peaches
chopped nectarines
dried fruit
lemon zest
orange zest
chocolate chips

Nutrition facts (per serving without toppings): 169 calories, 4 g total fat (2 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 51 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 10 g protein. Daily values: 3% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 11% calcium, 7% iron

Categories: Get Healthy

Categories: Get Healthy