Oats are loaded with fiber, beta-glucan, and plenty of other vitamins and minerals, making them one of the most popular breakfast options in the world.
Oats are also one of the most versatile breakfast foods out there – whether you like to make them fresh in the morning, or you’re jumping on the ‘overnight oats’ trend, you can fill your bowl with fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolate, honey, or whatever else you desire.
We know oats are generally healthy, but what about baked oats? Will you still get the nutrients you need from baked oats, or are you better off eating your regular bowl of oats?
What Are Baked Oats?
Baked oats are exactly what they sound like… baked oats. Unlike oatmeal, baked oats come out of the oven looking (and arguably, tasting) like a cake.
Cake for breakfast, you say? Well, because you’re eating oats, you’re getting far more nutrients than you’d get from a fresh slice of chocolate cake, for example.
Food trends are always fun, and the baked oats trend is one the tastiest and most creative.
Baked oats put a heart spin on your classic breakfast oats, and they’re so versatile that you can make your baked oats however you want.
Are Baked Oats Healthy?
Food trends are fun and exciting, but they’re not always healthy. Are baked oats an exception?
Well, baked oats are pretty similar to regular oats. When you bake your oats, you won’t be losing any of the vitamins and minerals you’d get from your standard bowl of oatmeal.
That’s right – no nutrition is lost during the baking process, so you can dive in!
Of course, how healthy your baked oats are will depend on what you add to your recipe.
Some people prefer to add fresh fruit and nuts, while others love to load up on chocolate. It’s a no-brainer – if you’re adding more processed, sweet treats to your baked oats, you’ll be making them unhealthy.
So, if you want the healthiest version of baked oats possible, stick to adding fruit and nuts.
If you need a fix of chocolate or a dash of honey, keep it to a minimum to prevent overdoing it with the sugar.
So if you’re opting for healthy baked oats, what exactly are the benefits? Let’s take a look below.
Extra Fiber And Good Bacteria
Did you know that less than 4% of Americans reach their daily fiber requirements?
Fiber is essential for maintaining bowel and digestive health, and it may even help promote weight loss.
We need approximately 25-30 grams of fiber per day, which is significantly more than the average American gets in their diet.
Regardless of how you eat it, oats are an excellent source of fiber, containing approximately 4-8 grams per portion.
If you pair this with fiber-rich fruits, you’re in for a treat!
Increased Energy
Your daily dose of baked oats can also give you a well-needed energy boost in the morning.
Oats, in general, contain plenty of carbohydrates which help our bodies utilize energy.
So, even if you don’t want to eat your oats for breakfast, a hearty bowl of baked oats before a workout is an excellent choice.
Improved Skin Health
There’s even some evidence that oats can improve our skin health.
Even if you’re not a big oatmeal fan, you’ve probably seen oatmeal listed as an ingredient in many skincare products.
Oatmeal is considered a superfood, and according to one study, its anti-inflammatory properties may contain compounds that can combat the most notable markers of aging, such as wrinkles.
As long as your baked oats aren’t loaded with sugar which damages collagen, you’ll be getting all the benefits!
More Benefits Of Eating Baked Oats
Baked oats are tasty and loaded with nutrients, but there are also plenty of other benefits to eating them, such as…
They’re Cheap
If you’re on a tight budget, baked oats are a great breakfast to have. A bag of oatmeal is relatively inexpensive, and the base ingredients for baked oats are all fridge and cupboard staples.
All you need is oats, milk, and some baking powder.
All the extras, such as fruits, nuts, and chocolate, can be tweaked to suit your budget and preferences, so you’ll never have to stretch yourself beyond your means to enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
Cake For Breakfast
Baked oats are a more exciting way to eat oatmeal, and they turn out with the consistency of cake. Who doesn’t want to eat cake for breakfast?
Better still, you’ll get all the nutrients you need from your oatmeal, so you won’t overdose on sugar like you would if you ate regular cake for breakfast.
Oats also contain a respectable blend of carbohydrates, fat, and protein, which is a great way to start the day.
Regular cake can leave you dosed up on sugar, and you’ll be inevitably destined to crash within a few hours.
Not only this but cake in general lacks protein, so as soon as just one moreish slice hits your stomach, you’ll be heading straight to the cupboard again.
However, your baked oats will contain plenty of protein to keep you satisfied and well-fueled, and without all the added sugars, you can sustain your energy and focus for longer.
So, if you love sweet treats but need a healthier alternative for breakfast, baked oats are the way to go.
The Bottom Line
Eating the same thing every day can get boring pretty fast.
Even if you’re a hardcore oatmeal lover, you’ll probably be looking for more ways to make your breakfast more exciting.
Baked oats are a great way to do this without sacrificing any of the nutrients you’d get with your regular oatmeal.
Tasty, nutritious, and exciting – there are so many things to love about baked oats!
So, the next time you find yourself faced with a surplus of oatmeal, head to the kitchen and get cooking!
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