6 Best Healthy Overnight Oats (2024)

FAQs

Are overnight oats healthy? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

There are many health benefits to overnight oats. Each jar is filled with fiber, protein, and wholesome grains making them heart-healthy and perfect for weight loss. Yes, oatmeal is higher in carbs but if balanced out with other low carb recipes it can be a great solution when trying to eat healthier and lose weight.

Use plain old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked with milk. And do not use steel cut oats because they won't soften enough to eat just with milk unfortunately.

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.

2Why do you put chia seeds in overnight oats? The chia seeds add fiber, protein, and boast many health benefits. They also add a nice texture, a subtle pop of flavor, and help to thicken the mixture.

If you are particularly trying to shed kilos, steel-cut oats are better as they contain a high amount of fiber. The fiber content in it can keep you fuller for a longer time and control cravings for unhealthy food items. Eating fiber-rich food also improves the count of healthy gut bacteria.

Are Overnight Oats Keto-Friendly? No, the classic overnight oats recipe is made of oats, a wholesome natural grain but very high in carbs. In fact, oats contain about 56 grams of net carbs per 100 grams. As a result, they spike blood sugar levels and are not approved on a keto diet.

Everyone knows oatmeal is good for you. Did you know that it can also help with losing weight? You read that correctly, you can lose belly fat by eating oatmeal! Oats contain high levels of dietary fiber which is resistant to digestive enzymes, therefore your body does not process it as caloric intake.

Oat Groats

Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact. Oat groats take longer to prepare than other types.

Are overnight oats better with milk or water? ›

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.

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

The short answer is that there's no best way to eat oats. Overnight oats are, by definition, served cold in the morning. Overnight oats are oats that are soaked in a liquid overnight so that the oats can absorb the liquid - no heating up necessary.

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.

Make sure that you are rinsing them well. People tend to skip this step, but from my personal experience, I find rinsing them well omits this. It also helps in washing away the sticky starch that can make oats gummy.

As much as oats love maple syrup and brown sugar, they also love (and need) salt. Just like any other food, overnight oats needs to be seasoned properly and will frankly taste like cardboard without that pinch of salt, regardless of how much syrup you drizzle on.

However, if you eat dry chia seeds, without giving them any liquid to absorb before ingesting them, they'll absorb the water within your system and potentially cause a blockage.

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.

Try steel-cut oats.

"Choose minimally-processed oats such as steel-cut or old-fashioned types for the most fiber and least amount of sodium," says Brenda Braslow, MS and Registered Dietitian with MyNetDiary. "You can cook them to eat hot or making overnight oats by preparing the night before.

Should I avoid oats in weight loss? ›

Oatmeal's effects on your weight largely depend on how it's prepared. While oatmeal with a lot of high calorie add-ons like peanut butter or chocolate chips may promote weight gain, oatmeal made with water, fruit, and minimal sugar is an excellent meal for those trying to lose weight.

Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.

“Both the method of preparation and whether a food is consumed hot or cold have significant effects on postprandial glucose and insulin responses. In this study, we demonstrated that when oats are soaked in milk overnight, they retain their low glycemic and insulinemic impact.”

Oats have 51 grams of carbs, 13 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 8 grams of fiber in 1 cup. This same serving has only 303 calories. This means that oats are among the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.

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.

Benefits include lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, protection against skin irritation, and reduced constipation. In addition, they are very filling and have many properties that should make them a food helpful for weight loss. At the end of the day, oats are among the nutrient-dense foods you can eat.

Oatmeal can cause digestive issues for some, including gas, bloating and abdominal discomfort. This may be due to the presence of gluten or not digesting oats properly. Additionally, oatmeal is high in calories and carbohydrates so people who are trying to lose weight should be careful how much they consume.

Are steel-cut oats healthier than rolled oats? ›

Metric per metric, rolled oats and steel cut oats are almost the same when it comes to nutritional value. However, steel cut oats beat out rolled oats in two areas, fiber content and density, which make steel cut oats the best bang for your nutritional buck.

Cheerios contain many important nutrients. Cheerios are primarily made from whole grain oats. Whole grains contain all parts of the grain, so they tend to provide more nutrients than refined grains. What's more, eating fiber-rich whole grains may help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease ( 1 ).

Eggs = More Protein

According to USDA, a breakfast with 2 medium eggs will yield approximately 13g Protein and 1.1g Carbs whereas a bowl of oatmeal will give you 2.4 g Protein and 12g Carbs. So if Protein is your priority for breakfast then the clear choice is Eggs.

In addition to tasting toppings, you can keep your overnight oats from tasting like a bland mess by adding a little extra flavoring. Try mixing vanilla extract into your oat mixture, or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. (Check out the recipes below for some more fun spice add-ins.)

Prior research with oats has shown that bitterness and associated off-flavours are linked to the accumulation of free fatty acids, their volatile oxidation products, and possibly amino acids and certain phenols.

The oats need to cold steep overnight to reach the optimal texture. We recommend cold-steeping in the fridge (45 degrees or colder) for a minimum of 6 hours but not longer than 24 hours. Remove from fridge when you're ready to eat it.

One of many essential healthy oatmeal tips: Keep portion size in mind. One cup of cooked oatmeal is a healthy serving size, says Jessica Crandall Snyder, RDN, CDCES, the CEO of Vital RD in Centennial, Colorado.

The amount of liquid is key to the final consistency—I like my overnight oats really thick and creamy, with concentrated flavor. If you prefer a looser consistency, add a little more milk.

It's preferable to use (old-fashioned) rolled oats instead of quick oats to make overnight oats. You can use quick oats but it will result in a mushier breakfast. If using quick oat, you should eat your overnight oats within 24 hours.

Many people with celiac disease are told to avoid eating oats because they might be contaminated with wheat, rye, or barley, which contain gluten. But in people who haven't had any symptoms for at least 6 months, eating moderate amounts of pure, non-contaminated oats seems to be safe.

What can I add to overnight oats? ›

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.

Use plain old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked with milk. And do not use steel cut oats because they won't soften enough to eat just with milk unfortunately.

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.

Cover the oats and soak them in the fridge for 12 hours.

The longer your oats can soak, the more flavor they will absorb. Avoid keeping prepared oatmeal in the fridge for any longer than 5-7 days.

Simply, the oats need to be soaked in liquid for the span of 7-8 hours, before consumption. You can use milk, water, almond or coconut milk or even curd.

Though raw oats are safe to eat, it's recommended to soak them in water, juice, milk, or a nondairy milk alternative to avoid some unwanted side effects. Eating dry raw oats could lead them to build up in your stomach or intestines, resulting in indigestion or constipation.

The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

Overnight oats are simply oats that are left to soak overnight instead of cooked in the morning, which makes them perfect for a quick, filling and nutritious breakfast. It's a bit like making cold-brew coffee instead of the regular cup of hot coffee in the morning.

What are the benefits of eating overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, however, if you prefer warm oats you always have the option to heat them up. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easy to digest making them delicious eaten cold!

How long do overnight oats need to sit? You can eat the oats after they have been sitting for 2 hours, BUT I recommend waiting 8 to 12 hours so the oats have time to soak up all of the milk. The longer you wait, the creamier they will be.

But, do I have to put overnight oats in a jar? A glass jar is not the only option available for overnight oatmeal. Tupperware containers, plastic containers and a medium-sized bowl with plastic wrap also work well for soaking oats overnight.

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

Consuming oats everyday will help in stabilizing blood sugar and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Beta-glucans in oats are also found to reduce blood sugar spikes and keep your blood sugar level stable.

It's a perfect option if you're looking for a great-tasting and healthy substitute for your daily smoothie, snack, breakfast, or meal replacement shake.

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.