Time is a precious thing, but when you’ve got alarms buzzing in your ear, kids that won’t wake up, or a car determined not to start properly, saving a few extra minutes each morning can be invaluable – and this sometimes means eating breakfast when you’re halfway out the door.

On-the-go breakfast food needn’t be a stale croissant from the motorway service station though. Enter, Overnight Oats.

When prepped properly, this time-saver can kickstart your day on the right foot, providing you with a perfect balance of nutrients – something less likely to be found in those sugar-filled bowls of cereal we grew up on.

Need a recap on the positives that a nutritionally sound breakfast can provide? Take a peek below…

Breakfast keeps the body ticking over nicely

Oats are a fantastic source of fibre and fibre is a nutrient integral to keeping hearts heathy and digestive tracts on the right path. It may even reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers, fibre puts the brake on the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream – an absolute win for blood glucose levels, and reducing insulin spikes which can send a message to your body to store fat.

Fires up your metabolism

Because sleeping slows the body’s metabolism, a jumpstart to it is essential in the morning, ensuring your body begins burning calories from the get-go rather than waiting until midday.

Helps when shedding the pounds

Similarly, if lunchtime is the first time your body is getting hold of food since dinner the night before, mid-morning hunger pangs are inevitable. This can either lead to overeating or your body switching to starvation mode and storing calories because it isn’t sure when it’ll next get them. Ironic, isn’t it? Plus, our friends across the pond have found that 80% people who lost at least 30lbs and kept it off for one year, ate breakfast regularly (National Weight Control Registry).

Gives the brain a boost of energy

Kicking the day off properly – i.e. eating breakfast – means that any thoughts before lunchtime won’t be consumed by food. As well as stopping potential stomach growls during your mid-morning meeting, eating in the AM has been proven to improve concentration, eye-to-hand coordination and problem-solving skills.

We reckon OO is the absolute champion of breakfast foods. Tasty, easy to prepare the night before and simple to grab from the fridge before heading for the door.

So, now you’ve heard the hype, try one of our favourite recipes to get you going.

carrot cake overnight oats

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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Yield 2

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (heaped) organic rolled oats
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax meal
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded/grated
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp ground cinnamon (depending on taste)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yoghurt
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0-2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1-2 tbsp softened cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Whisk together all the wet ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl until thoroughly blended
  2. Mix in all the dry ingredients
  3. Spoon into jars with a tight fitting lid
  4. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating

Notes

Vegan Hacks: substitute the cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, and use either maple/agave syrup, or stevia according to taste. Substitute Greek yoghurt for a vegan yoghurt alternative.

Make it Gluten Free: use gluten free rolled oats.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 275mL

Amount Per Serving

Calories 299

% Daily Value

Total Fat 10.5 g

16%

Saturated Fat 4.4 g

22%

Unsaturated Fat 6.8 g

Cholesterol 18.3 mg

6%

Sodium 293.2 mg

12%

Total Carbohydrates 46 g

15%

Dietary Fiber 7.1 g

28%

Sugars 23.4 g

Protein 9.3 g

19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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