Food: Oat Bran with Berries & Yogurt for Breakfast

When you are thinking about your meals, you want to make sure that they are well balanced.  A good combination of carbohydrates, fat, and protein.  You also want to make sure when you start your day that you have a good source of fiber.  The protein helps you to feel satisfied for a longer period of time because of how slow your body processes it.  Fiber helps your body to move things along, if you know what I mean. The Oat Bran that I use is Bob's Red Mill Organic High Fiber Oat Bran Hot Cereal.  It contains 7g of dietary fiber as well as 7g of protein.

For the berries, I typically use blueberries and strawberries.  Both are loaded with antioxidants, which are great for building up your immune system.  Not to mention many other vitamins.  I have also heard that strawberries burn as many calories as are consumed.  Great benefit!  I typically will buy these berries frozen, especially during their off season.  The beauty of buying frozen fruit is that it contains more nutrients then fruits found in the produce aisle or in a can.

The last ingredient is vanilla yogurt.  I'd love to be able to avoid sugar and sweets, but growing up I could not handle eating oatmeal without having a gag reflex.  It is something that I have had to learn to eat.  I know the health benefits and that has helped.  I add vanilla yogurt, not just for the sweetness of it, but also for the probiotics.  The probiotics in yogurt help the digestive system to work better.  You are welcome to try this recipe with plain yogurt.  The less sugar content, the better it will be for you.  One of my favorite brands of yogurt is Stoneyfield organic.  Be careful, there are many brands of yogurt out there that contain the words "light."  They are promoted by some shows that promote health, but don't be fooled.  There are healthier options out there for your body.  Many of the big or popular names contain chemicals, HFCS, or sweetners which are proving to not be as healthy as companies are claiming them to be.  Some of our food companies are starting to realize that their consumers are smart and are trying to make changes.  The point is to read the labels.  Know what you are putting in your body.

So, after all of that, here's the recipe:

1 cup of water

1/3 cup of oat bran

5-6 strawberries

1/4 cup of blueberries

6 ounces of vanilla or plain yogurt

In a medium pot, add water and berries.  Bring to a boil.  Add oat bran and reduce heat.  Continue to stir as it cooks until it reaches the consistency that you like.  Put in a serving bowl.  Add the yogurt and stir.  Bon appetit!

To some of you, this may look gross at first, but it is worth a try.  Hope you enjoy it!  If it doesn't suite your taste, you could always add honey or try a different fruit with it.  Let me know what you think. :)