Making Overnight Oats

Caregiver in Water Mill NY

Eating a healthy and filling breakfast is key to starting the day off on the right foot.  For family caregivers who are striving to eat a healthier diet, not skipping breakfast is a great way to stay on track with diet goals throughout the day.  However, for family caregivers who have busy schedules and (seemingly) endless lists of tasks to do every day, finding time to make and eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast each day can be a challenge.  For this reason, overnight oats are a great solution!  They are easy to prepare the night before and they are ready to eat first thing in the morning.  They are also filled with protein, fiber, calcium, and more (depending on your add-ins).  Read on for some simple instructions on how to make overnight oats and some tasty variations to try.

How to Make Overnight Oats:

To make overnight oats, start with a glass mason jar with a lid.  First, put 1/2 cup of oats (old fashioned or quick oats) in the jar and then add 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and 1/2 cup of your milk of choice (skim milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.).  Close the lid and shake to create your base.  From here, you can add an endless number of different toppings to create different flavors and to add more nutrients.  When you are done, put the jar in the refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, simply open the jar and enjoy!

Healthy Overnight Oats Add-Ins:

• For an extra fiber boost, add chia seeds or ground flaxseeds (or both) to the base.
• For vitamin C, fiber, iron, and calcium, add a handful of blueberries and a handful of slivered almonds to the base.
• For a tropical treat, mix in diced pineapple and shredded coconut.
• For banana bread-style oats, toss in sliced banana and walnuts.
• If you love cinnamon raisin bread, top your oats with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a handful of raisins.
• To make your oats sweet and tart, add chopped strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
• For added protein, add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your base.
• For a vitamin C boost, try adding diced mango, pomegranate seeds, or both to the base.
• For multitasking oats, stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee powder and some cocoa powder to create “mocha” flavored oats.

Note: Any of the variations above can be sweetened to taste with sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave, or another sugar substitute.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional caregivers in Water Mill, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.