After the indulgence over the festive period January is a month when many of us want to try a health kick, such as getting back to the gym and exercising more. A very important aspect of any type of training is diet and nutrition. Most of us know the amazing health benefits of oats, from lowering cholesterol to helping to lower blood sugars. But did you know that oats are also an amazing source of quality, low-cost, plant-based protein. This is great news for anyone on a vegan diet, or for anyone who wants a nutrient filled breakfast to fuel their workouts.
Oats are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed full of fibre, protein for muscle support and essential fats for joint support. Porridge oats contain around 11-15% protein which equates to 11.1g of protein per 100g.
It is important that you get plenty of protein in your diet, especially when you are training as your body needs protein to repair and grow muscle that is broken down during exercise. Regular exercise will mean you need a little bit more protein than usual.
Oats are great for pre-workout and post-workout meals. Similar to whole grains, they provide tons of energy and are slower to be released, giving you that energy to power through your workout.
Oats are the perfect base for a protein dense meal, you can easily add extra sources of plant based protein to oats like nut butters, chia seeds, flaxseed, chopped nuts, a scoop of protein powder or even an egg! Check out our delicious savoury breakfast porridge recipe to see how you can add eggs to oats for a filling, slow energy release breakfast.
Instant pots like those in our ActivOat range, are your ultimate on-the-go protein porridge pot for those busy mornings. They contain 9.9g of protein per pot, and can be topped with your favourite toppings like Peanut Butter and Greek Yoghurt to boost the protein content even more!
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite protein oat recipes that not only pack a protein punch, but they also taste great!
Team Joe Barr’s (World Endurance Cyclist) nutritionist, Jillian Mooney says they are a perfect complement to Joe’s nutritional package during those long cold hours on the bike and provide quick and tasty nourishment for the crew. This Protein Training Bars Recipe is packed full of nutrient dense ingredients like cranberries, pumpkin seeds, toasted pecans, oats and almond nut butter.
This vegan friendly recipe doesn’t include any refined sugars which makes the recipe a lot healthier than traditional flapjacks. Better still, they are packed full of natural plant based protein.
These granola bars are the perfect work treat or back to school snack. Packed full of fruit and protein, they are guaranteed to give you an extra energy boost to get you through the day!
Packed with 9g of protein per serving, our ActivOat High-Protein Pots are not only a powerhouse of nutrition but also high in fiber, with no added sugar and low in saturated fat. This delicious Snickers Porridge Recipe is designed to fuel your day and keep you satisfied longer, making breakfast an essential part of your routine.
Inspired to discover more protein loaded breakfast ideas? Check out our 10 Quick & Easy Protein Overnight Hacks. These tips are perfect for anyone looking to increase their protein intake, which is super effective for weight loss too.