Overnight Oats
Picture this: It’s 6 AM; your alarm goes off. Bleary eyed and yawning, you rush to get through the million things that need to be done that morning – wait, are you sure you remembered everything? Flying out the door, you make it to your destination with only minutes to spare. But, in all the rushing, you actually have forgotten something – arguably the most important thing you need – breakfast.
Recent studies have shown that yes, like you’ve heard a million times, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast can lead to lack of energy, concentration, and a dip in your overall mood throughout the day. Additionally, you may find yourself picking up unhealthy snacks and overeating as the day progresses. Without breakfast, your entire day can be thrown off.
So how can you find a breakfast that’s quick, light, but fills you up and keeps you energized throughout the morning? The answer is simple: Overnight Oats.
As the name of this rising breakfast item suggests, this dish is simply oats soaked in milk and water and chilled overnight in the fridge to make a delicious, refreshing oatmeal in the morning. Sweetened with banana and made with almond milk, this oatmeal is completely vegan and refined sugar free. Overnight, the rolled oats absorb the liquids, producing a cool, creamy breakfast that will satisfy you throughout your morning. If you prefer your oatmeal hot, you can simply pop the overnight oats in a bowl and heat it in the microwave for a warm, comforting bowl of porridge in minutes. You can also complete the dish with an wide variety of toppings (fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of peanut or almond butter) to keep it interesting.
With a low glycemic index, oatmeal will slowly release energy in your body keeping you full and satisfied, as opposed to refined grains which will cause the body to turn the food right to sugar after you eat them, storing them as fat and leaving you hungry just hours later.
These oats are extremely versatile, easy, pleasant, and quick: a great way to kick start your morning and allow your body to perform its best all day.
print menuIngredients
Yield: 1 Serving
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup water
1 banana
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tbsp. peanut butter
Instructions
In a mason jar or sealable container of your choice, mix in the oats, water, vanilla, and almond milk. In a separate bowl, mash up the banana and microwave for 30 seconds, mashing it again when you take it out so it’s soft. Add the banana into the mixture and stir. Add peanut butter and stir thoroughly so it mixes in without lumps. Seal the container, shake well, and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning, simply shake it again and enjoy (heat if desired). Add toppings of your choice for variety and an additional health benefit.
Variations:
Chocolate – add 1-1.5 tbsp. cocoa/cacao powder.
Cinnamon – add a dash of cinnamon.
