Why You Should Be Eating This Breakfast Food More Often

By Stepy Kamei

What's the one breakfast item most nutritionists agree is the best choice for most people? If you guessed anything other than oatmeal, you may want to start considering the classic hot cereal as a morning meal option more often. Not only is oatmeal delicious, filling, and relatively easy to prepare, but it's also highly packed with important nutrients your body needs in order to thrive. Since gluten-free oats are also widely available, dietary restrictions really aren't much of an issue here, either. If you're anything like most people, you probably like to dress up your oatmeal with other toppings, but did you realize that certain add-ons can boost the health quality of your oatmeal even more?

The Nutritional Profile of Oatmeal Can't Be Ignored

Oatmeal is naturally high in two key nutrients: Protein and fiber. These are responsible for not only helping you feel full for a longer period of time, which helps to reduce overeating, but also for sustaining energy levels throughout the day. When your body is filled with protein and fiber, you'll feel more focused and be less prone to experiencing fatigue. It's almost like going to the chiropractor; it helps you perform optimally because the spine -- which houses the central nervous system -- is in good working order.

Upgrading Oatmeal to Keep it Appealing

If you're looking to add a bit of sweetness to your breakfast, step away from the sugar and opt for other healthier alternatives. Fresh fruit can make for a great addition; sprinkle some blueberries on top of the bowl, or mix them in for even more of a flavor infusion. Blueberries in particular are great for adding vitamin C and antioxidants to your diet, but you can't go wrong with adding other fruits such as strawberries or potassium-rich bananas.

Other additions such as chia seeds and flaxseeds may hardly change the taste of your meal, but they will definitely bring positive change to your diet. Both types of seeds are loaded with protein and fiber, and they also provide healthy amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which is great for regulating heart and brain function. Alternatively, you can try mixing in a scoop of protein powder for an added boost to your muscle function health. Since many protein powders come in different flavors these days, you have plenty of options to make your meal fresh and exciting every day. This simple and classic breakfast food can improve your health dramatically.

Finally, if you want to indulge a little bit, try adding in some dark chocolate pieces. It'll taste like heaven, and you'll be getting lots of healthy flavonoids and antioxidants.