Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Change your life before 8 am

You already know what a difference a bowl of oatmeal makes: It warms you up, fills you up, and pumps you up like no other breakfast food. Studies suggest that this overachiever can also help prevent obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. And that's just the plain stuff. What happens when you top your bowl with healthy ingredients that have their own superpowers? BOOM! Your first meal of the day turns into the nutritional equivalent of TNT.


NEVER-STOP SUNFLOWER CRANBERRY

This no-cook recipe (you'll love its flakier texture and nuttier flavor) combines metabolism-fueling sunflower seeds, oats, and milk.
Whip it up:
Mix 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats, a tablespoon of sunflower seeds, and a tablespoon of dried cranberries into 1 cup of fat-free milk. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Makes 1 serving. Per serving: 332 cal, 7.5g fat (1.5 g sat), 48g carbs, 138 mg sodium, 5g fiber, 18g protein


BRAINY ALMOND-BLUEBERRY

This fruit and nut-spiked solution delivers the vitamins and omega-3s your inner Malcolm Gladwell craves.
Whip it up:
Boil 1 cup of water over high heat. Add 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats. Cook, stirring, for 25 minutes, until the oatmeal is soft. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1/4 cup of fat-free milk, a tablespoon of slivered almonds, 1/3 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries, and a teaspoon of ground flaxseed. Mix and serve.
Makes 1 serving. Per serving: 251 cal, 7g fat (0.5g sat), 40g carbs, 41 mg sodium, 6g fiber, 10g protein


BELLY-STUFFING PEANUT BUTTER

Oatmeal baked with eggs, peanut butter, and soy mlk packs enough protein to keep you satisfied until long past your lunch hour.
Whip it up:
Preheat oven to 375˚F. Coat an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of old-fashioned oats and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs and add 2 cups of vanilla soy milk, a cup of water, and 4 tablespoons of natural peanut butter. Add to the oats, pour mixture into dish, and bake for 20 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons agave syrup.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 253 cal, 10g fat (1g sat), 30g carbsw, 96 mg sodium, 3.7g fiber, 11g protein


PUMPED-UP BANANA-PECAN

Potassium-rich bananas and muscle-building whey protein give you the comph you need to grunt through that last set.
Whip it up:
Mix 1/4 cup of quick-cooking Irish oatmeal, 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 scoop of vanilla whey powder, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Microwave the mixture on high for 90 seconds and top with 1/4 cup of fat-free milk, a sliced banana, and a tablespoon of pecan pieces.
Makes 1 serving. Per serving: 388 cal, 9g fat (1.5g sat), 63g carbs, 349 mg sodium, 9g fiber, 18g protein

No comments: