Don’t you love starting your day eating food that is both nutritious and packed with energy? Read on to discover the energy benefits of complex carbohydrates.
But during those rushed morning hours, you may find it difficult to find an option that fulfils your desire for a healthy and energy-boosting meal.
But what if a single food suffices both of these body requirements? Wouldn’t it be great?
Are you wondering which food offers long stability and high energy levels?
Oats are good for you, especially if you are striving to eat healthily. They are a food that provides slow-release energy; hence are the best foods for energy and a daily boost of vitality.
Want to delve deeper into how oats can be a one-meal solution to all your body’s needs? Then, keep reading because we at Oat Pantry will explore some amazing facts about oats today!
Choosing Foods That Give You Energy:
According to the National Institute of Health, the ideal meal should contain all five food groups be rich in carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
For breakfast, the type of carbohydrates to include are the ones like oats. They provide slow-release energy to keep you fuller for longer and provide a sustainable energy source.
But wait! Don’t carbs have a bad reputation? That’s what you have been hearing all over social media platforms. Right?
Contrary to popular beliefs and myths, carbs are highly nutritious and beneficial as part of a well balanced diet. They provide enormous health benefits, BUT you should try to choose complex rather than simple carbs.
Foods like oats are complex carbs, they’re the best choice for breakfast and also one of the best food sources for energy.
Complex Carbohydrates | A Health Friendly Choice!
Carbohydrates are the biggest source of energy among the three macronutrients. They can be further divided into simple and complex carbs. Both simple and complex carbs are further broken down into glucose and utilised as energy. However, there is a significant difference between the two.
Difference between Simple and Complex Carbohydrates:
Simple Carbohydrates:
The major difference is that simple carbs are being used faster than complex carbs and provide an instant spike in blood sugar levels followed by a sudden fall. What does this mean?
Simple carbs like cookies, cakes, and pastries may provide an instant burst of energy. But only after a few hours of consuming these foods your energy levels will fall, making you hungry and exhausted all over again.
Complex Carbohydrates:
On the other hand, complex carbs like oats and porridge provide slow-release energy that helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels because of the high dietary fibre and beta-glucan (we will discuss Beta-Glucan later).
This means that once you eat your oats, you will stay fuller for longer and feel much more energetic than eating a doughnut or sugary bowl of cereal for breakfast.
The Mystery behind Oats Providing Slow-Release Energy:
According to the British Dietetics Association (BDA),
- Low GI Foods: Score less than 55
- Medium GI Foods: Score between 56-69
- High GI Foods: Score 70 or above
Oats and Porridge provide slow-release energy because they are high in dietary fibre and are low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods with a score under 55.
Lower Glycaemic index (GI) foods take a comparatively longer time to get absorbed in the bloodstream. This provides multiple benefits that include stable blood sugar levels, long slow-release of energy, and keeping one full compared to other breakfasts.
Oats have a high macronutrient profile that makes them the ideal breakfast! They contain:
- 50-60% of Carbs
- 11-15% of Proteins
- 5-9% of Fats
Beta-Glucan | The Real Hero Behind The Curtains!
Oats contain a soluble fibre known as Beta-Glucan. When it enters the human body, Beta-Glucan dissolves in water and turns into a gel-like solution in the stomach. Beta-glucan has been proved to suppress appetite, increase satiety, and slower digestion.
Health Benefits of Beta-Glucan in Oats:
Other than slowing digestion, Beta-Glucan in oats and porridge provides a long list of benefits.
According to a study conducted in 2018, consuming 5g/oat Beta-Glucan for 12 weeks can increase satiety, improve glycemic control and promote a healthy gut microbiota profile.
Other health benefits associated with the Beta-Glucan found in oats are:
- Improves cholesterol levels by lowering Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol.
- Helps in weight management by decreasing hunger and increasing fat metabolism.
- Improves cardiovascular health by enhancing the elasticity of the blood vessels and improving blood flow throughout the body.
- Beta-Glucan provides long hours of satiety and energy by delaying stomach emptying and stimulating the release of peptide YY (a hormone that contributes to hunger and overeating). This means no snacking and eating high-calorie foods later in the day.
- Improves cognitive performance with sustained energy levels and high alertness.
Oats | A Perfect Meal in a Bowl!
Oats and Porridge are packed with nutrients like iron, vitamin B6, B1, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, iron, selenium, and zinc. Hence, it is a goldmine of macro and micronutrients!
The Final Takeaway!
If you are looking for a breakfast that can provide you with all the goodness and a variety of options to cook from, then oats from Oat Pantry should be your go-to food!
- They are highly nutritious
- Packed with loads of energy
- Helps with weight management by increasing satiety levels
- Lowers cholesterol levels and improves heart health
- Helps prevent the risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and cancer.
At Oat Pantry, we offer several oat flavours like apple pie porridge, chocolate orange, and cinnamon bun to satisfy your sweet cravings without any guilt.
So what are you waiting for? Head on to Oat Pantry and order your pack of highly nutritious oats today!