Peachy Oats

Here is a very quick and easy breakfast option. Peaches are ripe and in season right now, so they make a perfect addition to this breakfast bowl. But you could substitute a sliced banana, a chopped apple or pear, even a mango or papaya.

Normally I stick with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, plus some fresh fruit for breakfast. But lately I have been experimenting with eating breakfast later, often after my workout. And I have found that I am hungrier and looking for a more substantial breakfast these days. This breakfast bowl is still Zone-compliant in the proportions I have listed. The oats give me a fuller feeling in my belly than just fruit alone as a carbohydrate. And although this recipe has absolutely no added sugar or sweetener of any kind, the cinnamon offers a type of sweetness that adds no calories, only great flavor and some medicinal benefits to boot! (Cinnamon has been shown to lower blood pressure, for example.)

Peachy Oats

Measure 1 oz. of dry rolled oats (old-fashioned) into a deep, microwaveable bowl. Add about 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, a half teaspoon of chia seeds, and a dash of sea salt. Pour boiling water over the oats until completely covered. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Top your warm oatmeal with 6 oz. plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and one peach, sliced. You can also add a few chopped walnuts or almonds on top for your fat, although chia seeds also have some fat.

Measuring your oats carefully, using a digital scale, is crucial if your goal is to balance your macro-nutrients correctly for the Zone diet. If you don't own a scale, 1 oz. of oats is approximately a quarter cup. Because grains tend to be very dense in carbs, the amount of oats in this recipe is very small. A one-block serving of carbs is only a half-ounce of rolled oats! While I tend to avoid most grains, oats are probably about the healthiest choice if you are going to include any grains in your diet.

Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think!

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