Overnight oats can have several health benefits, depending on what other ingredients you add to your recipes. My two favorite Overnight Oats recipes are packed with health benefits, so let’s talk about these ingredients.
#1. Oats
Whether made into cooked oatmeal or soaked overnight, oats are one of many whole grains that are important to eat daily because whole grains have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancers.
Oats have fiber, and in particular soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
#2. Milk
I know dairy milk gets a bad rap sometimes, but assuming you tolerate it, dairy milk offers more nutrients than any other milk alternative. Some of the key nutrients include protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium and magnesium. These are key nutrients that women need for bone health, maintaining muscle as we age and for heart health. If you don’t tolerate dairy milk, the next most nutrient-rich milk alternative is soy milk.
#3. Greek Yogurt
A great source of protein, but it is lower in calcium than milk and usually isn’t fortified with vitamin D. That’s why I like to use both milk and Greek yogurt in my overnight oats – to maximize the protein, calcium and vitamin D I get in my breakfast meal.
#4. Blueberries
Purple berries have the highest amount of antioxidants of any berries and are thought to be important in circulation, heart health and maximizing memory. It is thought that berries help prevent amyloid plaque formation, which is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show people who eat berries regularly have less cognitive decline and lower risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
#5. Nuts
Just like berries, in two ongoing studies Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) and Memory and Aging Project (MAP), nuts are considered a brain healthy food and people who ate 1 oz. of nuts 5 days per week had less cognitive decline than people who ate them less frequently.
This is one of my most popular recipes and is a lower sugar granola with heart healthy, brain boosting nuts & oats.
Try these recipes, share with friends and family and leave a comment with your favorite overnight oat ingredients.
