Everyone’s looking for a secret or shortcut to losing weight. While many believe there’s no such thing, we’re here to tell you that you can lose weight overnight with the right diet. And no, we’re not talking about those inefficient supplements and working out 24 hours per day. The key to losing weight overnight without a lot of effort is in overnight oats.
As the term suggests, these are tasty oats prepared overnight. Why overnight? Well, many of us don’t have the time to prepare a healthy bowl of oats in the morning rush. This leads to bad breakfast decisions and getting that pastry which isn’t going to help you lose weight. Instead, you can prepare oats before you go to bed and have them ready in the morning.
Why eat oats? Everyone knows they’re rich in fiber, but to be honest, they have other nutrients that will support your weight loss goals and keep your health in check as well. They are simply loaded with vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants that can slow down the aging process.
Be Picky to Get the Most Out of This Superfood
If you want to get the most out of your oats, you should be picky about them. There are various types of oats, and the price isn’t the deciding factor for their benefits. Instant oatmeal seems to be the favorite, but these are packed with sugar. Some contain up to 8 teaspoons per serving which is too much.
Top Oatmeal Types
Experts say that the best types of oatmeal include either rolled or steel-cut oats. They should only be cooked in a bit of water or milk and topped with great and healthy ingredients. While they’re not exactly the perfect breakfast for most people, if you’re looking to lose weight in a healthy way, you will get used to them. And when you do, they taste pretty nice, especially if you go with our recipes.
If you’re on a gluten-free diet, you can go for gluten-free oats. Make sure to check the package to ensure that they are indeed gluten-free.
Benefits of Oats
There have been numerous confirmed health benefits of oatmeal. For example, they have been linked to an almost 10% drop in LDL cholesterol, and are fantastic for the heart health. Furthermore, oats can drop your blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of several types of cancer, boost your antioxidant levels, and promote healthy bacteria in your gut. Thanks to the high fiber content, oats can help with digestive problems such as constipation.
Nutrient Profile
It’s all about the nutrient profile of oats when it comes to their health benefits. Besides the high fiber and carb content, they also contain beta-glucan. Surprisingly, they have more protein and fat than other grains, including a variety of vitamins and minerals. Here’s an overview of the top nutrients found in oats:
- Copper – around 20% of the recommended daily intake (RDI)
- Zinc – 20%
- Magnesium – 34%
- Manganese – 191%
- Vitamin B1: 39%
- Vitamin B5: 10%
- Folate: 11%
And that’s just the beginning. Half a cup of oats (~80 gr.) also contains 13 gr. of protein, 5 gr. of fat, 8 gr. of fiber, and 51 gr. of carbs. That comes packed in only 300 calories, so you can easily see why they’re a great meal for weight loss.
Here are two simple overnight oats recipes that will satisfy your palate and help you lose weight.
Banana and Nut Butter Oats
Ingredients
- ½ a banana
- ½ cup of rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons of nut butter
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted nuts
Directions
Pour the milk in a jar first, then add the nut butter and stir well. The banana and oats go in next. Cut the banana in thin slices. Store the oats in your fridge overnight and you have a healthy breakfast in the morning.
Almond, Coconut, and Raspberry Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup of rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon of shredded coconut
- ½ cup of raspberries
- ½ tablespoon of almonds (sliced)
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon of raw honey
Directions
Just mix everything in a glass jar and stir well. Store the oats mix in your fridge overnight and enjoy the coconut flavors in the morning.
Walnuts and Blueberry Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon crushed walnuts
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
Directions
Put everything in a mason jar (no particular order) and stir well. Add a bit more coconut milk in the morning and enjoy.