It may not be a new diet trend anymore, but overnight oats continue to rank high on the list of healthy breakfasts to enjoy. Everyone is familiar with oats, which get a bad reputation for being bland or mundane. Erase any preconceived notions you have about oats because it’s time to reset your view on them.
Enter overnight oats into the equation. These fiber-rich, make-ahead breakfasts brim with flavor and nutrients. Because they are self-contained (typically in a mason jar), you can take them with you and enjoy them on the go. Alternatively, you can simply grab a jar of overnight oats out of the fridge in the morning, get a spoon, and dive in before you jet off to work or the gym. Essentially, doing a little prep work the night before saves you so much time in the morning. Plus, you have breakfast item that’s ready to eat!
Health Benefits
One of the greatest health benefits of overnight oats is that they have increased digestibility. Soaking the oats overnight is essentially a way of cooking them, only for a longer, slower period. Soaking oats helps to break down starches and reduce natural phytic acid, which helps the body utilize the nutrients in oats more efficiently. This makes the oats easier to digest, and it can be helpful for people with gluten sensitivities.
Any food item that contains starch also has resistant starch. According to several studies, resistant starch levels are higher in cooled starchy foods. Resistant starch is a natural carbohydrate that works to increase feelings of fullness, aid in weight loss efforts, and improve digestion. Additionally, oats are rich in beta-glucan, which works to increase white blood cell activity in the body. White blood cells are responsible for protecting the body from illnesses and foreign invaders. Oats also contain selenium and zinc, two nutrients that play a role in fighting infection.
You’ll find five of our favorite overnight oat recipes below. Enjoy them, meal prep with them, and take advantage of all the benefits that oats have to offer. One last thing is that overnight oats are not cleanse-approved dishes, but they make for great post-cleanse breakfast options.
Banana Almond Overnight Oats
Don’t have time to make breakfast during your busy mornings? You can have an easy grab-and-go breakfast by making this the night before.
Click here to make the recipe.
Overnight Chai Steel Cut Oats
Breakfast on-the-go is a mere five minutes away now that you have this chai-spiced overnight oat recipe. There is no cooking necessary!
Click here to make the recipe.
Creamy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Make this filling overnight oats recipe with just 6 simple ingredients. This protein-packed breakfast is naturally sweet and full of fiber!
Click here to make the recipe.
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Enjoy the flavor of banana bread without worrying about the unhealthy carbs. Wake up to a nutritious breakfast without having to make it!
Click here to make the recipe.
Maple Apple Overnight Oats
Dive into a breakfast that tastes like dessert! Fill up on fiber, protein, and other nutrients with these maple apple overnight oats.
Click here to make the recipe.
