We all know that oats are a wonder food. Full of fibre, protein, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium and potassium among other things, they are highly nutritious and great for your bowel health too.

Regular oats don’t contain added sugar which is another big advantage, be careful buying instant or processed oats however as that’s when sugar can sneak in. Oats are a nutritional power house and can be used in a variety of different ways.

One of my favourites is to soak them overnight. This changes the flavour and makes them a little nuttier and better tasting in my opinion. When you soak oats overnight they ‘cook’ without heat, which is beneficial as soaking helps the starches to break down and thus reduces the phytic acid which means your body can utilise the nutrients more effectively. 

This method also creates more resistant starch – this is a type of starch that is found in starchy foods but is more apparent in uncooked starchy foods as opposed to cooked. RS is a natural carb that can help to improve digestion and decrease insulin spikes.

Making overnight oats is very easy, all you need is half a cup of oats and half a cup of hemp milk, almond milk, regular or coconut milk, mix together and and leave in the fridge for at least eight hours. You can also add chia seeds, yoghurt, nut butter, dried fruit, seeds and nuts to the mix. 

There’s an array of other ways that you can use oats on a daily basis. Take a look at this article for inspiration.

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