The One Good-For-Your-Gut Ingredient You Should Be Adding To Your Overnight Oats (2024)

FAQs

Are Overnight oats good for gut health? ›

It can act as a prebiotic by supporting the growth of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) in the gut. - Among whole grains, oats have high levels of soluble and insoluble fibres, both of which contribute to gut health. They are also an excellent source of prebiotics!

Make sure you have at least double the liquid per each serving of oats (so, 1 cup of milk to ½-cup of oats), increasing the amount if you want a soupier texture. We love the chewy, hearty texture of steel-cut oats, but they're too firm to use for overnight oats.

But after a little experimentation, I realized that adding chia seeds to overnight oats takes them to a whole new level. They give the oats a delicious thick and creamy texture, sort of like that of chia pudding. They also add protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Overnight Oats Nutrition

They're also an excellent source (provides 20% daily value or more) of magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Oats contain a unique type of fibre that nourishes and restores healthy gut bacteria. This makes oats a great food to eat every day and they are especially suited to breakfast – porridges, muesli or a smoothie with oats.

Another thing is the fact that as opposed to the cooked oatmeals since overnight oatmeals are not boiled they retain more nutrients. Overnight oatmeals also incorporate raw oats unlike cooked oatmeals, which use instant oats and therefore making it relatively more nutritious.

Overnight oats are most often prepared with milk but they can easily be made without milk. They do need some sort of liquid though, that's when water comes in as a great alternative to milk. Together with the chia seeds and yogurt you'll still end up with a nice creamy consistency.

Can I use water? No. Adding enough water to make your oats drinkable will greatly damage the taste. Think of it like eating cereal with water, don't do it!

The truth is – they can. Chia Seeds absorb 15-20 times their weight in water. When chia seeds move through the gut, they draw water from the intestine area, like a sponge. These seeds expand in your stomach, which leads to bloating.

Should I drink chia seeds every morning? ›

Drinking chia seed water in the morning can help with digestion and bowel movement. Excellent for protein consumption, heart health, bone health, blood sugar regulation, and digestion.

Fuels Your Body With Calcium

Chia seeds fulfill the calcium need of the body. It is a great option to consume if you don't consume any dairy products like milk or curd. 1 tsp of chia seeds will fulfill 20% of your body's calcium need.

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

Overnight oats also help in reducing bad cholesterol in the body and increasing the good cholesterol. Oats are also known to work wonders for those who have a high blood pressure. Overnight oats serve as a quick meal with minimal preparation.

We recommend storing overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to five days. That means if you're meal-prepping on Sunday, you can make a work week's worth of overnight oats and not have to think about breakfast again until Saturday.

Drink water.

"Plus, dehydration can cause constipation, because fiber needs water to do its job. Drinking water in the morning is a great way to start the day right for our gut and overall health."

Peanut butter is loaded with gut-healthy fiber. But what really is fiber? Fiber hangs around in your digestive system and strengthens the good bacteria in your gut, while aiding the digestive process and helping your body remove toxins. Fiber feeds you and your gut bacteria.

Current research suggests that certain kinds of honey can reduce the presence of infection-causing bacteria in the gut including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridiodes difficile, while simultaneously stimulating the growth of potentially beneficial species, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

What foods should I avoid to heal my gut? ›

Millet. Naturally gluten-free and rich in vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and folate, millet may be the most nutritious substitute for oatmeal ( 2 ).

But if you want to get technical, Oat Groats remain the healthiest because they're the purest form of the whole oat you can eat. They're the least processed and contain the most nutrition.

If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!) between 7-15hrs it allows the natural enzymes and other helpful organisms to begin fermenting the grain and this will neutralise a large portion of the phytic acid.

Typically, overnight oats are eaten cold, which is perfect for the hotter months. Overnight oatmeal is no-cook and doesn't need to be heated, but you may find yourself wanting a warm breakfast instead. It makes it super convenient to heat overnight oats to avoid being rushed in the mornings.

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

Overnight oats are typically served chilled, straight from the refrigerator. That makes them perfect for warmer months, but you can certainly enjoy overnight oats year-round. Overnight oats keep well in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Which is a good substitute for yogurt in overnight oats? (Unsweetened) apple sauce makes a great substitute for yogurt, as does mashed bananas.

Yes, you can always eat overnight oats after 2 hours, however the phytic acid won't have a chance to fully break down. Though the oats may be hydrated and softened to a creamy texture, you will be consuming the anti-nutrients that can cause digestive issues and prevent the body from absorbing certain nutrients.

In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps how your body breaks down and processes food (digestion). Water is vital for good health. Water and other drinks help break down food so that your body can take in (absorb) the nutrients.

What kind of oats are best for the gut? ›

Since steel-cut oats are the least processed of the three, they contain the most fiber — but only by a small difference. The fiber found in steel-cut oats is beneficial for digestive health, fueling the good bacteria in the intestines and promoting regular bowel movements ( 7 , 8 ).

How do oats help IBS symptoms? Increasing soluble fibre can help IBS symptoms. Oats are a great source of soluble fibre. Soluble fibre helps bulk out stools and this can help constipation, as small, hard stools can be hard to pass.

Oats may also contain gluten, the sticky substance found in many grains. Gluten-related issues are on the rise. And gluten sensitivity can lead to over 100 different symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and brain fog.

Steel-cut oats are an excellent soluble fiber to add to the diet that also acts as a prebiotic food. These oats are beneficial to promote anti-inflammatory integrity in the intestinal bacteria.

One cup of oats contains a little over 8 grams of fiber. "If you have a sensitive stomach, the fiber in the oatmeal may cause you to experience bloating and gas," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Bottom Line. Oats can trigger irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. But you can still include them in your diet in small quantities to gain the multiple health benefits without the symptoms.

“Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that allows more water to remain in the stool,” says Smith. “This makes the stool softer and larger, and ultimately easier to pass.”

While some people with IBS can enjoy avocados with no side effects, others may experience symptoms after eating a small portion. In general, large portions of avocado are more likely to cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to FODMAPs simply because bigger servings contain more sorbitol.

Should overnight oats be refrigerated? ›

We recommend storing overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to five days. That means if you're meal-prepping on Sunday, you can make a work week's worth of overnight oats and not have to think about breakfast again until Saturday.

Another thing is the fact that as opposed to the cooked oatmeals since overnight oatmeals are not boiled they retain more nutrients. Overnight oatmeals also incorporate raw oats unlike cooked oatmeals, which use instant oats and therefore making it relatively more nutritious.

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for digestion as well. Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery.

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. People who support a water flush for colon cleansing recommend drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water per day. Also try eating plenty of foods high in fiber & water content.