It’s one of those dark frosty mornings, and somehow you have to find the motivation to drag yourself out from your warm cosy duvet for that 9am. We’ve all been there. It’s mornings like these, when for me, only porridge will do.
4 reasons why EVERYBODY should be eating porridge:
1. It’s a super healthy way to start your day. Oats are hugely underrated when it comes to their immense health benefits. They help lower cholesterol, reduce high blood pressure, and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Their high fibre content and low GI index means that they release energy slowly, keeping you fuller for longer. And to top it all off, oats have also been found to increase serotonin levels… happy days!
2. Porridge has gained somewhat of a bad rep for being pretty low down on the excitement scale. But porridge is extremely versatile, with a little bit of innovation and creativity, porridge is anything but boring.
Let’s start with the basics. To make your porridge, you first need to combine either milk or water, or a combination of both (depending on how creamy you like it) with your oats, then heat for a few minutes in the microwave or until thick and creamy on the hob.
Choice of milk:
Nowadays, we are spoilt with a huge range of different varieties of milk. I’ve recently fallen in love with hazelnut milk. Why not try something different: almond milk, oat milk, or if you wanted to go really decadent, coconut milk makes a deliciously creamy porridge- this is definitely one to try for all those coconut lovers!
Choice of toppings:
When choosing your toppings, you can really let your imagination run wild. You can go fancy or simple, or as healthy or as unhealthy as you like, there really are no rules.
Go fruity!
Banana: Mash up and stir in half way through to give your bowl an extra energy boost, or try grilled as a topping
Apple: Try grated and stirred through before cooking, or stewed as a topping
Berries: Smash up, then reduce to make a simple fruit compote or simply sprinkle on top. I buy frozen, they’re cheaper and there’s no need to worry about them going off!
Dried fruit: great sprinkled on top or stirred through
…or why not experiment with combinations?
Go veggie!
Carrot: Carrot cake lovers have got to give this combination a go! Before heating your porridge, finely grate in a carrot, then add raisins, orange zest, chopped walnuts and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for a deliciously comforting start to the day.
Go chocolatey!
Cocoa powder: Stir in a spoonful for a yummy chocolatey twist.
Nutella: Why not try swirling in a generous spoonful.
Go nutty!
Nut butters: Try peanut, almond, cashew or even hazel nut butters. Go organic for an extra health boost. These work amazingly with banana!
Add any seeds or nuts you fancy to add a tasty, crunchy dimension.
I always finish of my porridge with a few generous dollops of yoghurt, chopped nuts and a drizzle of honey. Heavenly!
3. It’s so cheap! If the awesome health benefits and endless flavour possibilities hasn’t been enough to persuade you to give porridge a go, this one may just convert you. A big bag of oats won’t even set you back a couple of pounds, and it will last you ages!
4. It’s quick! One of the great things about porridge, (and there are many!) is that you can prepare it in your bowl in the evening, keep it covered in the fridge overnight, then simple microwave for a few minutes in the morning. That’s got to be at least an extra ten minutes in bed!
Admittedly, my obsession with porridge is perhaps a little on the extreme side. But I promise you, when you tuck into your delicious bowl of warming, nourishing oats, and your insides get that comforting porridge hug, it will make getting out of bed just that little bit easier.