Overnight oats are a powerful source of nutrition. From the types of oats you choose to the fruits, nuts, seeds and added extras that flavour your creations. But did you ever think about the milk you use and how this could enhance every spoonful?
From taste and texture to each of their impressive vitamin and mineral lists, different kinds of milk offer up many exciting benefits. Read on for a few of our favourites…
Coconut Milk
Coconuts have been in the health-and-beauty spotlight for quite some time now. You may have seen coconut oils taking centre stage in the shampoo aisle or coconut water becoming the fuel of gym-goers, and all with good reason. Packed choc-full of nutrients and minerals like fibre, vitamin C, iron, vitamin E and vitamin B1, coconut milk is a super tasty (and super easy) way to give a little nourishment to your body.
Crammed with healthy fats, coconut milk can help keep you feeling full and satisfied, meaning you’re less likely to reach for the snack drawer before lunch. And electrolytes within the milk can work towards keeping your digestive lining nice and healthy, making for a very happy gut. This teamed with the fact that the thick, creamy texture and natural sweetness helps create a delicious – and seemingly indulgent – breakfast, means coconut milk is high up on our list of overnight oat ingredients.
Almond Milk
One of the main Overnight Oats staple ingredients (and vegan friendly), almond milk has a subtle, crisp taste that works well with the richer flavours of cinnamon or nutmeg – perfect for experimenting with in your overnight oats jar!
Low in sodium, high in omega fatty acids and with no cholesterol or saturated fat, almond milk is a real superstar when it comes to keeping your heart health ticking over. Plus, your bones and teeth will thank you, as 30% of the recommended daily amount of calcium and 25% of vitamin D can be consumed with the stuff! If that’s not a reason to flash your megawatt smile, then we don’t know what is. And for those in and out of the gym, almond milk contains plenty of B vitamins, like iron and riboflavin, which both play important roles in muscle repair and growth.
Soya Milk
It wouldn’t be out of order to call soy a superhero amongst plant-based proteins. Unlike some of them, soya contains all nine essential amino acids – that’s energy-producing enzymes, tissue-building proteins and immune-system antibodies. Gym-bunnies take note, soya milk also contains a healthy dose of iron to keep your red blood cell count high and your muscles firing.
Plus, for those watching their weight, soy milk is naturally lower in sugar than cows milk – a whole 5g per cup less in fact – and is bursting with fibre, helping keep you fuller for longer (and satisfied until lunch time rolls around).
Oat Milk
Oat milk has probably had less press than the other milky options out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. A tasty vegan alternative to dairy, oat milk has a subtle and slightly sweet taste, meaning it can handle whatever flavours you fancy throwing at it.
This rich source of magnesium not only helps boost the production of insulin-regulating enzymes but is also a powerful source of vitamin A. More so than cow’s milk in fact! And for those on a quest for clear, healthy skin, look no further than oat milk which is packed with phytochemicals, to help just this. And the antioxidant values in oats are said to rival those found in broccoli – a double whammy when teaming oat milk with your overnight oats!
So whatever your milk of choice is, take a look at some of these options and have a play.
