Breakfast Smoothie

Breakfast Smoothie! A fabulous way to start the day with protein, fibre and omega 3 to kick start your digestive system and fill you up until lunch time. Top with banana and other toppings of your choice this is a creamy tasting breakfast smoothie with all the ingredients in the blender in one go to make it quick and easy. I add extra water to loosen the mixture a bit – depending how many ice cubes you have in a ‘cup’……

Oat Health Benefits

Oats are amongst the healthy grains there are. Gluten free and a great source of many vitamins and minerals. Health benefits include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease.

The most intact form of oats – known as oat groats – can take a long time to cook so most people prefer rolled, crushed or steel cut oats. Instant quick oats are the most processed of oats which means that they take the shortest amount of time to cook – but are less cook for you. I used rolled oats in all my recipes.

Oats are often included in muffins, cakes, granola bars and of course porridge.

Oats are rich in antioxidants and the plant compounds of polyphenols. Avenanthramides are only found in oats and help lower blood pressure levels by increasing the production of nitric oxide. It helps to dilate blood vessels and leads to a better blood flow. They also have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching effects.

Oats contain soluble fibre called beta glucan which dissolves in water and form a thick, gel like solution in the gut. The health benefits of beta glucan is reduced cholesterol levels and reduced blood sugar and insulin. It also provides a feeling of feeling fuller for longer and can support the increased growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Beta glucan may increase the excretion of cholesterol rich bile which reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Oxidation of the bad cholesterol occurs when it reacts with free radicals which can cause heart disease. Therefore substances which can reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood are great to eat.

This breakfast smoothie is a great way to include oats in your diet!

Banana Health Benefits

Bananas are great at supporting gut health due to their high content of pectin which is a soluble fibre. Pectin not only helps lower cholesterol but also promotes regular bowel function. The high fibre content of bananas also promote feelings of fullness which is good if you are watching your weight and also reduces the impact of bloating. The starch in bananas also has a prebiotic effect helping to fuel the good gut bacteria we have.

Bananas are full of potassium which is one of the most electrolytes in the body. Potassium helps regulate the heart function as well as keeping fluids in balance which manages blood pressure levels. Varies studies have shown the effectiveness of potassium-rich foods in lowering blood pressure and protecting from heart disease.

Bananas are thought to help neutralise stomach acid as they contain a compound that thickens the lining of the stomach. This can all help those suffering from heartburn.

Bananas are great to eat if you’re exercising a lot as they contain sugar in the form of sucrose, fructose and glucose which allow them to deliver an instant burst of energy. As such they are great during prolonged levels of exercise.

The fruit also contains tryptophan (like turkey) which is an amino acid that converts to serotonin. This is known to improve mood, lessen anxiety and generally make a person feel happier.