Start the Day by Drinking Your Oats...

Lately I have been looking into ways I can increase my soluble fibre naturally and easily.
And the solution came easily- why don't I just add them to my smoothies?!

Oats contain soluble fibre called beta glucan, which is known to help in reducing cholesterol by the blocking of re-absorption of cholesterol when it passes through the digestive system. Regularly having oats lowers the cholesterol levels in the body.

- Oats contains low levels of sodium. This reduces the risk of contracting high blood pressure and hypertension.

- The soluble fibre present in oats tends to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, thereby reducing the spikes in the blood sugar levels, helping people like me who have insulin resistance (due to PCOS) or diabetes.

- Eating oats leaves one much fuller, therefore you tend to eat less. This is especially good for those trying to lose weight.

- Oats contains very low levels of fat and lesser calories. This makes it good for overall health.

- Being a good source of natural dietary fibre, oats are beneficial in curbing the problem of constipation.

- Oats are also known to contain compounds called phytochemicals that can reduce one's risk of cancer.

Here are some of my favourite oatmeal smoothie recipes to date...
Really you can chuck anything in there- I like bananas (even though they are higher in GI) as a base in most of mine as it makes it really creamy but mainly because it is a double action in helping treat my dehydration- see treating dehydration naturally.

To make smoothie construction easier I like to pre-freeze ingredients like bananas, berries, apples, mango flesh, etc.

Berry Choc Banana Oatmeal Smoothie..
1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice milk

1 1/4 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tsp agave syrup

1 1/2 frozen banana

1 large handful frozen mixed berries- I used blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Raspberries Oatmeal Seeds and Coconut Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1 1/2 large handfuls frozen raspberries

2 tbsp pepitas

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

2 tbsp shredded cocounut
Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Spiced Apple Oatmeal Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, to taste

Pinch of turmeric

1/2 apple, cored and diced

1 tsp maple syrup or agave syrup

A few drops of lemon juice

1 fresh date, pitted (optional)

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Banana Choc Oatmeal and Seeds Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1 1/2 frozen banana

1 1/4 tbsp raw cacoa powder

2 tbsp pepita seeds

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

2 tbsp shredded coconut

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Banana PB Choc Coconut Oatmeal Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 1/2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter, home-made if possible or reduced sugar, oil and salt
1 1/2 tbsp raw cacao powder
Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Ginger, Berries and Oatmeal Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1 large handful of mixed frozen berries- I used blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries

1/2 thumb of ginger, thinly sliced

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Mango Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie..

1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

2 mango cheeks, diced

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.

Mandarin Ginger Oatmeal Smoothie..
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk; almond, oat or rice

1/2 mandarin, peeled seeded and as much plinth removed as possible

1/2 thumb of ginger, thinly sliced

Method:

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend on high speed until nice and smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Serve.