Oats

Multigrain Energy Bars

This bar is packed with whole grains and sweetened only with honey and naturally-occurring fruit sugars. The smooth flavor balance of peanuts, almonds, mildly tart fruit, and toasted oats isn’t overly sweet, but is sweet enough for a child to enjoy.

Coconut Almond Granola Bars

This nutty, crunchy, multigrain granola bar is packed with nutrients and sweetened only with honey.  The coconut flavor is intensified by the use of coconut oil, which research now shows may have health advantages over other saturated fats.

Oats May Reduce Asthma Risk in Children

While there is widespread belief that introducing solid foods to children too early may cause later health problems, a Finnish prospective study of 1293 children found that those introduced earlier to oats were in fact less likely to develop persistent asthma.
British Journal of Nutrition, January 2010; 103(2):266-73

Oats May Boost Nutrition Profile of Gluten-free Diets

Two recent studies out of Scandinavia show that adding oats to a gluten-free diet may enhance the nutritional values of the diets, particularly for vitamins and minerals, as well as increasing antioxidant levels.  Researchers asked 13 men and 18 women with Celiac disease to follow a gluten-free diet with the addition of kilned (stabilized) or unkilned oats.  After six months, the addition of stabilized oats resulted in an increased intake of vitamin B1 and magnesium, while the unkilned oats increased intakes of magnesium and zinc.  In the second study from Scandinavia, the addition of gluten-free oats allowed people on gluten-free diets to achieve their recommended daily intakes of fiber, as well as increasing levels of a particular antioxidant called bilirubin, which helps the body eliminate free radicals as well as protect the brain from oxidative damage.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2010; 64:62-67, DOI:10.1038/ejcn.2009.113 and
The European e-Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, December 2009; e315-e320

Spicy Oat Crusted Chicken

A golden layer of baked oats gives this chicken the crunchy deliciousness of fried chicken, but in a much healthier way. Added bonus: it’s a lot less work than frying, since you simply bake the dish for a half hour while you do other things.

ABC Meatball Soup

If you can find whole grain alphabet pasta (or simply use your favorite whole grain pasta) so much the better. Either way, this soup gets a great whole grain boost from the oats in the turkey meatballs. A great soup for kids.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Warm mozzarella cheese oozes out of the center of these moist and delicious turkey burgers. You can top them with the smoky chipotle aioli, or with any of your favorite condiments. Make sure to pair them with whole grain buns!

Three Pepper Oat Pilaf

Did you think that oats are just for breakfast? You’ll be surprised to learn that oats can make a great side-dish pilaf that rivals any other whole grain. Try this for an unexpected delight.

Oat-y-licious Bread

If you’re looking for a sandwich bread to stand up to your favorite fixings, look no further. From PB&J to BLTs, loaded with lettuce and tomato or layered in a club, the oat and wheat flours work together to give you the best tasting bread for any sandwich you can imagine.

Oats Increase Appetite-Control Hormones

Australian researchers studied fourteen people who ate a control meal and three different cereals with different levels of oat beta glucan. They then collected blood samples for four hours after each meal, and found a significant dose response between higher levels of oat beta glucan and higher levels of Peptide Y-Y, a hormone associated with appetite control.
Nutrition Research, October 2009; 29(10):705-9
 

More Protein, Minerals, Fiber in Quinoa

Anne Lee and colleagues at Columbia University’s Celiac Disease Center found that the nutritional profile of gluten-free diets was improved by adding oats or quinoa to meals and snacks. Most notable increases were protein (20.6g vs 11g) iron (18.4mg vs 1.4mg, calcium (182mg vs 0mg) and fiber (12.7g vs 5g
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, August 2009; 22(4):359-63. Epub 2009 Jun 10.

Oat Beta Glucans Improve Immune System Defenses

Italian researchers reviewed existing research about the positive effects of beta glucans on human health. They found that, in addition to reducing cholesterol and blunting glycemic and insulin response,  beta glucans boost defenses of the immune system agains bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Minerva Medica, June 2009; 100(3):237-45

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