Introduction

A single serving (one cup) of oats (cooked) has over 51g of carbs, 5g of fat, 8g of fiber and over 13g of protein. While they might be rich in carbs and fiber, but they are also higher in protein and good fats than most other grains. Oats are a highly nutritious whole grain, rich in fiber and a good source of protein and micronutrients compared with many other common breakfast cereals.

Moreover, oats release their nutrients slowly throughout the day, so you feel full for longer. This also makes them the go-to meal for most nutritionists when recommending foods for weight loss.

Understandably, most people, especially in Pakistan, aren’t big fans of oats. I’ve come across numerous people who otherwise hate oats, but end up loving having them when prepped either of the following ways. Don’t hate the grain if the preparation isn’t done right.

Read on to know how to give oats the justice they deserve.

Overnight Oats

This is the easiest way to have them and are useful especially if you are usually rushing out in the morning. You prep your oats at night, pop them in the fridge and they are ready to eat in the morning.

Ingredients

•  2-3 tablespoons of instant oats
•  Half a cup of fresh yoghurt
•  1 tablespoon of honey
•  1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds
•  Your choice of fruit
•  Take your pick of fruit:
•  2-3 seedless dates, sliced
•  Half a banana, sliced
•  2-3 strawberries, sliced
•  1 medium kiwifruit, sliced

Fruit combinations that work: dates and bananas, strawberries and dates, sapodillas and bananas, dates and kiwifruit. Take your pick to set your overnight oats with.

In one individual bowl, you want to start off with layering the bottom with your oats, add your choice of fruit, layer the yogurt on top, sprinkle either chia seeds or flax seeds and coat with one tablespoon of honey. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for all of the ingredients to soak into each other overnight.

Take the bowl out in the morning, dip your spoon deep into the bowl, cut through the layers and take out a spoonful. Bite. You’re welcome.

Oats In a Smoothie

One of the easiest ways to incorporate oats into your diet is to add them to your morning smoothies. I love smoothies, they’re a whole meal packed into a nutrient-filled glass that you can just gulp down. 

Mind you, this is a very filling recipe.

Ingredients

•  1-2 tablespoon oats
•  1 cup fresh yoghurt
•  1 tablespoon peanut butter
•  1 tablespoon maple syrup
•  1 cinnamon stick
•  1 dab of pure vanilla extract
•  Water or milk for consistency

Pop all of the ingredients into a blender and blend. The peanut butter adds even more protein to smoothie, the maple syrup and cinnamon give it that oh-so-yummy cookie flavor, the vanilla extract gives it that to-die-for smooth fragrance. You can add water or milk, depending on your preference, to make it thicker or thinner, however you prefer your smoothie.

Hot Oats

While this uses the same old traditional technique of boiling your oats, we add to it to make this more enjoyable.

Ingredients

•  2-3 tablespoon oats
•  Half an apple, sliced
•  2-3 chopped almonds
•  3-4 walnuts
•  1 tablespoon chia seeds
•  1–1.5 cup milk
•  Tablespoon honey

In a pan boil milk and add the oats. Cook and simmer for a few minutes until it reaches the consistency you prefer.

In one bowl, add the sliced apples and the nuts. Take the pot off the stove, lather the hot oats over the fruit and nuts. Sprinkle chia seeds and honey on top. It’s ready to have, but mix properly before biting in.

You can tweak this recipe to your liking but I guarantee, after trying out these ways to have oats, you will never run away from oats again.