January 30, 2019
January is National Fiber Month and what better way to celebrate fiber than with easy overnight oats?
So, you might wonder… why would anyone celebrate fiber? Well, I can think of lots of reasons, really.
Unlike macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat), dietary fiber is not digested and passes through–and out of–the GI tract fairly intact. Dietary fiber is primarily found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
While fiber might be most known for its ability to promote regularity (which is pretty important!), fiber also provides lots of other health benefits, as well. Here are just a few benefits:
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, most Americans fall short of this recommended amount.
You can add more fiber to your diet by eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains, including oats. In fact, eating a cup of oatmeal for breakfast provides about 4 grams of fiber. Plus, oats provide about 6 grams of protein, along with minerals iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and manganese.
And perhaps one of my favorite things about oats… I don’t have to wake up earlier to enjoy. I just whip up a mason jar of overnight oats and let them soak in the fridge overnight.
Here is a simple recipe for overnight oats that you can customize with your favorite flavors and ingredients.
Combine in a mason jar or container; stir and seal. Refrigerate overnight, heat in microwave and top with your favorite nuts, seeds and/or berries!
PLEASE SHARE: What are your favorite oatmeal add-ins? Please share. I’d love to hear from you.