Winter Warmers

Benefits of Having Oats in Winter

Oats are great at any time of the year, but they can be particularly beneficial during the colder months - and these benefits go beyond having a meal option that’s warm and comforting (such as with hot oatmeal or porridge).

Winter is also when our immune systems are more vulnerable, making us more susceptible to colds, flu, and other seasonal viruses. 

Because oats contain a wealth of essential nutrients and antioxidants, they’re a great way of bolstering your immune system. And it doesn’t just stop at these nutrients - oats also contain beta-glucan, a soluble fibre with immunity-boosting properties.

While Australia is known for its sunshine, winters do mean shorter days and less vitamin D, which can impact energy levels. This is because the less sunshine you have, the more your brain will produce melatonin, an essential hormone that helps us sleep. The result for many can be a feeling of sluggishness during the coolest and shortest months of the year.

Thanks to the complex carbohydrates present in oats, they provide much-needed slow-burning energy that’ll help you navigate the day. So, if you have a bowl of oatmeal or porridge or a good serving of overnight oats in the morning, you’ll have energy that helps counteract the sluggishness winter can bring about.

Oats are also good for better maintaining your weight, which can be a real boon in the winter. As the mercury drops, we tend to indulge in more food while moving around less. That’s why most of us may put on some kilos during the winter.

Because oats are rich in fibre, they make you feel fuller for longer, meaning you can reduce your overall calorie intake and be less likely to overindulge.

The Most Delicious Winter Warmer Recipes for The Family

Now that you know the benefits of enjoying oats in the winter, let’s take a quick look at the kinds of delicious winter meals you can make with them.

Winter oats recipes we champion are:

• Ultimate Immunity Oats

  As we noted before, oats are fantastic for your immune system. This recipe mixes oats with other healthy ingredients like kiwi fruit, berries, pumpkin seeds and more. An easy meal that requires a few minutes of heating in a saucepan. 

• Breakfast Apple and Cinnamon Porridge

  A quick, warm, and healthy meal that could very well be the best breakfast for cold weather. This delicious serving uses oats, cinnamon, apple slices, and sultanas, as well as water or milk. 
  It’s easy to put together and involves about five minutes of cooking. If preferred, you can soak your oats overnight to help them cook more easily in the morning and to aid digestion if you have a sensitive stomach.

• Porridge with Stewed Rhubarb

  Another delicious porridge that is relatively quick to make. It uses ingredients like oats, honey, strawberries, rhubarb stalks, apple, and brown sugar. 

Between making the porridge and stewing slices of rhubarb, you’re looking at about 20 or so minutes for full prep. We also recommend soaking your oats overnight before making the porridge the next morning.

Check out our blog, 3 Delicious Oats Recipes For Immunity in the Colder Months, for a more comprehensive breakdown of each recipe.

Why Choose GF Oats?

Since the beginning, GF Oats has been committed to providing Aussies with the very best quality oats money can buy.

The oats we stock are grown using minimal-impact growing techniques and crop exclusion zones. They are processed in facilities that are free from the contamination from the gluten found in wheat, rye, spelt and barley grains.

When using GF Oats, you can rest assured you’re using oats you can trust!

If you have any questions, be sure to view our FAQs or get in touch with us today.