It’s nearing that time of the year again when all nutritionists and dietitians rejoice: The new year. It can be summed up as the time when even the junk food lovingest people take interest in health food and exercise. Goals are set, gyms are joined, and diets are improved…at least until Valentine’s Day, that is. Setting goals is the easy part but achieving them is the challenge. Whether your goals include getting fit, eating cleaner or making more time for yourself, this healthy breakfast will set you on the right path. Studies have shown that people who start the day with a healthy and wholesome breakfast are more likely to be normal weight, consume less calories throughout the day, have better regulated blood sugar and stay more mentally focused.
Oatmeal is a great breakfast food because it contains complex carbohydrates. The fiber in this whole grain allows the starch to be released slowly into your blood stream, giving you long-lasting energy. It’s also a wonderful way to get some polysaccharides into your diet if you’re gluten-free. Polysaccharides are essential to gut health because the tiny microbes in your small intestine break them down into smaller components for nourishment. Without a healthy gut, weight loss is challenging and bloating is inevitable.
Additionally, the healthy add-ins in this recipe provide a plethora of health benefits.
Chia seeds. Since the debut of chia seeds a few years ago, people have been adding them to everything from kombucha to muffins. These little seeds outshine salmon in omega-3’s, spinach in iron, and milk in calcium! For people who love gooey textures, they’re definitely a delight. We often make chia seed pudding out of them. However, when it’s chilly outside, it’s nice to have a hot breakfast and the oatmeal-chia seed combo is a perfect solution. For more amazing health benefits of chia seeds, read our chia seed pudding post.
Nut butter. Nuts provide healthy fats that are essential for healthy cells, hormone production, protection of organs, and much more. Adding nut butter to chia seed oatmeal will also allow you to feel satiated, meaning you’ll be satisfied longer.
Fruit toppings. All fruits contain vitamins, minerals, natural sugar and water. We like to top our oatmeal with berries, pear, apple, or banana. If you mash a banana into your oatmeal, it will taste like chocolate banana bread. Yum!
Cinnamon. This divine spice is known for boosting your metabolism and providing warming effects, which are necessary this time of the year. Add a small amount to reap the benefits.
We suggest serving your oatmeal with a warm Turmeric Latte for added defense against inflammation. Not to mention, it’s surprisingly delicious! We like this recipe from Fresh Bites Daily as well as this recipe from Poppies and Papayas. We suggest using fresh turmeric and ginger if possible.
In total, this breakfast will provide you with about 312 calories, 10 grams of healthy fat, 48 grams of carbohydrates, and 11 grams of protein and takes only 5 minutes to make. This perfect start to the day will help you GLISTEN all day long!
- ½ cup gluten-free oats
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp chocolate almond butter with sunflower seeds (or other nut butter)
- cinnamon to taste
- ½ fruit of choice, diced
- To a medium-sized bowl, add oats, chia seeds and water.
- Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, and microwave for 1 more minute.
- Stir in nut butter and cinnamon.
- Top with your choice of diced pear, apple, banana, or berries.
As Always,
We send you LOVE & PEACE without grease!
XO, The Glisten Girls