Oats are widely considered to be one of the healthiest options for breakfast. But as experts suggest, you need to follow certain guidelines to ensure the maximum benefits. So, read ahead to get a comprehensive idea about that. Having a hearty bowl of oats is the best way to kickstart your day. Packed with fiber, they help improve gut health and also keep you full for a longer time. Also, they're an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that provide you with an impressive range of health benefits. As per evidence, regular consumption of oats may aid in weight loss, manage diabetes, promote heart health, enhance athletic performance, and more. However, you have to eat them in the right and most nutritious way to get all these benefits. In this article, we'll discuss the entire matter in brief. Go for plain, unflavored oats Most people go for prepackaged oats to save time. But these products are loaded with sugar and also several other artificial ingredients. They contain more calories, which eventually result in making you gain weight. So, always prefer plain, unflavored oats for a healthier lifestyle. Use milk instead of water Using water to prepare oats is certainly not the best option. So, you can use low-fat milk to make it healthier as well as tastier. It will also help you lose weight more quickly. However, this is not suitable if you are lactose intolerant. Incorporate protein on the side Oats contain a very little amount of protein (5 grams per one cup of serving) but are rich in carbohydrates. Therefore, it's advised to add some extra protein, in order to make it a complete, balanced meal. As the experts suggest, you can cook oats using protein-fortified milk. Else, you can add a spoonful of protein powder or incorporate a few slices of lean bacon on the side. Add different toppings You don't really want to get bored with your regular breakfast. So, it's always a great idea to add different toppings to make your oats tastier. You can add a few drops of raw honey to satiate your sweet tooth. Also, add almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and more. Avoid unhealthy toppings It's of utmost importance that you should not make your breakfast meal loaded with sugar. So, ditch refined sugar, nut butter, dried fruits, sweetened milk, and more. Also, as oats are already carbohydrate-rich, do not add any topping that contains carbs, be it simple or complex. There are several types of oats available in the market. No matter what you choose, make sure to eat them regularly and follow all the above-mentioned tips.
