Key Takeaways<\/p>\n
Eating for energy<\/a> is, well, the whole point. And enjoyment, of course! To feel your best, picking foods that suit your lifestyle needs and nutrition goals can be the key to meeting your goals, be it staying alert throughout the workday or powering through a workout<\/a>. Grains don\u2019t always get the best nutritional reputation, thanks to a longtime, outdated, and off base villainizing of carbohydrates.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n But in truth, whole grains<\/a> are very healthy, boasting an array of nutritional benefits. According to The Mayo Clinic, eating whole grains, which are naturally high in fiber<\/a> and a plethora of vitamins, can help reduce the risk of stroke, heart and blood vessel disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and more. Whole grains also can create a feeling of fullness after eating them, which helps keep energy levels up<\/a> and sugar-crash-inducing snacking<\/a> down.\n<\/p>\n So, which grain is best when you\u2019re eating for energy? We asked a nutritionist to help us pick the top grain. Here\u2019s what she said.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n The Best Grain for Energy\u00a0 <\/p>\n The best grain to eat for energy may very likely be a recognizable ingredient in your pantry<\/a>. Oats are the best grain to eat when you\u2019re looking for an energy boost.\n<\/p>\n \u201cOats<\/a> are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates<\/a>,\u201d says Sandra Avitia, MS, RD, LDN. Available gluten-free, oats can be enjoyed in a range of diets and have multiple health benefits. \u201cOats are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of hot and cold dishes, as well as in desserts. They provide the energy the body requires, and they provide more of a prolonged satiety,\u201d Avitia adds. \u201c[Oats] have protein<\/a>, fiber, and vitamins.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n When choosing which type of oats to eat for energy, go for whole grain oats, not instant oats<\/a>, which have been processed.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cWhole grains contain all parts of the grain,\u201d Ativia explains. \u201cThe bran provides essential vitamins A, B, and E, along with minerals such as iron<\/a>, magnesium<\/a>, phosphorus<\/a>, and selenium. The germ offers vitamins and healthy fats<\/a>, while the endosperm contains protein, starches, and fiber. Each component contributes unique nutritional benefits.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n How to Eat More Oats\u00a0 <\/p>\n One of oats\u2019 best qualities is their versatility\u2014they\u2019re enjoyable hot or cold, sweet or savory, and can be incorporated in multiple meals per day. Here are a few recipes with oats to try, which will give you a noticeable burst of energy.\n<\/p>\n PB&J Overnight Oats <\/p>\n Credit: Antonis Achilleos<\/p>\n Letting oats infuse with liquid overnight is perhaps the easiest way to make oats. Making them in individual jars also creates a super simple grab-and-go breakfast packed with nutrition. Try this PB&J oats recipe, and feel free to modify it with your favorite nut butters<\/a> and jams.<\/p>\n Maple, Pear, and Pecan Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oats <\/p>\n Credit: Brie Passano<\/p>\n If you prefer your oats served warm, look no further than the slow cooker<\/a>. A set it and forget it recipe helps cook your oats while you sleep, so a warm breakfast awaits in the morning.\u00a0 These maple, pear, and pecan oats simmer slowly to infuse each bite with a sweet and nutty autumnal flavor you can enjoy year-round.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Berry Baked Oatmeal <\/p>\n Credit: Victor Protasio<\/p>\n For a big batch of oatmeal to serve a crowd or meal prep at the beginning of the week, break out your favorite baking dish. Baked oatmeal has a nice crispness on top and gooeyness on the inside, and can be served by the scoop or sliced like a brownie. Try our berry baked oatmeal, or a cozy apple and pumpkin version<\/a> that\u2019s ready in under an hour.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Black Bean-Oat Burgers <\/p>\n Credit: Greg DuPree<\/p>\n Oats are great to use as a binder in burgers<\/a> and meatballs instead of breadcrumbs. They\u2019re gluten-free, add fiber, and easily absorb flavor. Quickly processing the oats makes them easy to fold into dishes like these black bean oat burgers or our homemade salmon patties<\/a>.<\/p>\n Savory Seedy Granola <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen<\/p>\n Making your own granola helps you control exactly which ingredients you use, and allows you to adjust the flavor as desired. The key ingredient in granola: Oats. Try this savory, seedy granola, which can work well as a salad topping or veggie garnish, or on top of a yogurt parfait or chia seed pudding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key Takeaways Oats are a top energy-boosting grain thanks to fiber, complex carbs, and rich nutrient profile that…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215508,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[105,4434,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-215507","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-nutrition","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114748930604002457","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n