In The News: Awesome Oat Info From Quaker!

Now that the New Year is in full swing and many the goal of many is to make healthier eating choices, I thought this was a perfect time to introduce a new infographic that I just I learned about from Quaker Oats.  I was very excited when one of their representatives contacted me to share this awesome tool.  It provides excellent information about the varieties of oats available, lists some fun facts about oats, and summarizes a variety of key research about how oats are beneficial to health and the environment. Plus it includes a bonus recipe too!

I am a HUGE fan of oats and I have countless recipes on my blog which incorporate them- my protein bars, pancakes, snack cakes, baked oatmeal and other desserts to name a few!!  Oats are a power food, a whole grain full of soluble fiber that has shown to lower cholesterol, increase satiety to promote weight loss and act as a prebiotic which may help with digestive health.  Oats contain carbs, protein and a bit of healthy fat along with important micronutrients like B vitamins, iron and magnesium as well.  In addition there are many promising studies that suggest oats may help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, overall mortality and help with digestive conditions such as IBS and ulcerative colitis.  Another positive is that oats can be gluten free (GF) if you buy brands that are certified GF, meaning they are grown, processed and packaged in a way that prevents cross contamination. And, not only are oats good for us, they are good for the environment too! They require less fertilizer, irrigation and energy to grow, a big plus!

So check out this tool below and I hope you will be including oats in your daily diet  if you are not already doing so!!