· By Vanessa Nicola
The Benefits of Overnight Oats
It’s not just a chilled, convenient, creamy, and delicious way to enjoy oatmeal. Oh no! There’s more to overnight oats than what meets the eye, or tongue…
Benefit #1: Removes phytic acid
Without getting too sciencey on you, foods such as grains, seeds, legumes, and nuts contain a thin layer called phytic acid. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient meaning it can affect the absorption of minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium. Phytic acid is also difficult to digest, often causing gas or bloating when ingesting such foods.
Frustrating right?!
We do our best to eat plant-based, nutrient-rich foods and now we have to hear that crap!
But have no fear! There’s a very simple solution to removing phytic acid from these foods, one of them being our favourite way to enjoy oats!
Rinsing then soaking your grains, legumes, nuts and seeds for a minimum of 12 hours in a liquid will help remove the layer of phytic acid. Add a little citrus like fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and the phytic acid is removed even faster. This was the idea behind our Raspberry Cheesecake Overnight Oat recipe.
When it comes to removing the phytic acid and reaping even more oatmeal benefits, we like to make overnight oats. Click here to read more on how to make overnight oats as well as our top 3 favourite overnight oatmeal recipes.
Benefit #2: Convenience
Another benefit of overnight oats is simply, the convenience. We don't know about you but we don't know of many breakfasts that take less than 1 minute to make and offer this many benefits.
And it's not just the small amount of time it takes to prep overnight oatmeal, it's also the convenience of staying full for hours. Interrupting your morning having to search for a snack or pick me up is a major disruption to your workday, focus, and energy.
The fibre from the flax seeds, chia, and oats, slows down the digestion of the oatmeal turning off your hunger hormones allowing you to feel satiated for longer.
Not sure if weight loss is your goal, but oatmeal is a fantastic supporter!
Benefit #3: Meal Prep Has Never Been So Easy!
We've all had those busy mornings where we're rushing out the door, no time to make breakfast and on our way to work, or once we get to work, that hunger pang hits and it hits hard.
You start seeing red then suddenly, you come to with a 3/4 of a baked good demolished in the palm of your hand.
Yes, we've all been there. Probably more times than we'd like to admit.
If this sounds all too familiar, listen up and listen good.
Overnight oats are a game-changer. You can literally prepare your healthy breakfasts for the entire work-week on a Sunday evening in less time than it takes you to find a show on Netflix (if you're quick, like 3-5 minutes tops!)
Here's how to do it:
- Layout 5 containers or mason jars
- Add a scoop of Oat of the Ordinary in each jar if using the multi-serve or empty a single-serve pouch into each container or jar
- Cover the oats in your favourite liquid (water, soy milk, oat milk, coconut, almond, etc...)
- Give them a stir, place a lid on the container and store in the fridge overnight.
That is it!
Come morning, grab your oats, toss them into your bag and enjoy at your leisure.
Co-founder and holistic nutritionist, Chara, claims this meal prep hack has supported all her oat-loving clients in balancing their blood sugar levels, losing weight, gaining more time, energy, and focus, and curbing cravings.
Now, you may be asking, where do I start?
First, grab yourself a custom overnight oat jar here. Then pick your oatmeal flavour of choice here.
Lastly, if you're looking to get crafty and dive into some delicious recipes using overnight oats, click here.
Take a snapshot and show us where you enjoyed your overnight oats! Tag @oatoftheordinary on IG to win a free variety pack! A winner is announced monthly!
