3. Oats
Oats are a cereal commonly eaten in the form of rolled oats in oatmeal. You’ll also find them in porridge, cookies, oatcakes and oat bran. They are one of the best sources of soluble fibre and have become a popular health food.
They have many health benefits, the main one being their ability to help to lower cholesterol. This is because cholesterol can bind to the soluble fibre in oats and is then excreted by the body. The high fibre content of oats means they can also help to stabilise blood glucose (sugar) levels and they also help to keep us fuller for longer whilst providing controlled energy.
This ability to keep us full makes oats a good choice for anyone looking to lose weight as we’ll be less likely to feel hungry and reach for the snacks after having oats for breakfast. It’s also thought that oats can protect against colorectal cancers and may also lower blood pressure.
Oats are also full of vitamins and minerals including good amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1), manganese, magnesium and iron. Oats are inexpensive and are an easy way to keep our body healthy as they make for a simple but healthy breakfast option.
