Health experts have always claimed that breakfast is a crucial meal for maintaining high energy levels throughout the day.
An ideal breakfast choice should keep you satisfied until lunchtime, providing the right amount of nutrients and energy boost.
But while numerous pricey superfoods are available, all promising impressive nutritional benefits, a humble, affordable option stands out: porridge. With a price tag as low as 90p, incorporating porridge into your daily diet can bring considerable health advantages.
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Cheryl Lythgoe of Benenden Health highlights porridge as an excellent way to decrease cholesterol levels and get a natural energy boost, reports Surrey Live.
She said: “Every cell in your body needs cholesterol, it plays vital roles in how your body works, especially for your brain, nerves and skin.
“There are two types of cholesterol the body needs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol often called ‘bad cholesterol’ and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the ‘good’ type. However, too much LDL cholesterol in your blood can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
“A balanced diet is key to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and porridge is a fantastic breakfast option for this. A 60g serving of porridge (roughly 4 tablespoons) provides the recommended daily amount of beta-glucan to reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.”
She explained how this beta-glucan turns into a gel within the gut, slashing the quantity of cholesterol that’s absorbed by the body, and lowering cholesterol levels overall.
What’s more, oats release glucose gradually into our bloodstream, giving us a gradual boost of energy across the morning – meaning you’re unlikely to experience the highs and lows of energy spikes and crashes.
This steady release might mean you’re less likely to reach for the sweet treats, so tucking into porridge can help fend off cravings and keep you fuller for longer.
Porridge oats are not only a nutritional powerhouse but an affordable choice too; you can pick up a bag for just 90p from the likes of Asda and Tesco – it’s a breakfast staple that goes a long way.
Cheryl recommended: “For an even tastier breakfast, try naturally sweetening your porridge with chopped apples, strawberries, prunes or plums, which are a healthy alternative to treacle or sugar. These fruits also give the extra benefit of lowering your cholesterol while providing essential vitamins and minerals.”