Honey Almond Butter and Banana Over-Night Oats

Recipe Here from Laura Fuentes

Ingredients / Calories

• 2–4 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons ground flax
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 4 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 bananas, divided

339 Calories per serving

Low-Calorie Overnight Oats

I love overnight oats for a number of reasons. They are easy to make and are prepared the night before making my morning just a bit easier. Overnight oats were initially introduced to me by a former fitness instructor of mine. His initial recipe was 1/2 cup of oats, 1 banana, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, and a cup of almond milk. After my first try, I was hooked. But, when I am dieting and worrying about calories, the calorie content was higher than I would like. This recipe runs about 400 calories and close to 500 on those days I wanted to add two tablespoons of peanut butter, which, I am not going to lie, was more frequent then not. So, I needed something a little less in calorie to start my day so I began looking for new recipes.

I have always liked oatmeal. It is savory and keeps me full all morning, but, prior to my discovery of overnight oats, never made them too often simply because I am not great in the morning and never felt like pulling out a pot, cooking the oatmeal, cleaning the pot. As a working mother or two, it was too much. I tried instant oats, but was always hungry an hour later. I love overnight oats because I can make them the night before and there are no pots to clean. Plus, there are so many variations, I never feel like I am eating the same thing and I can eat them cold or heat them up depending on my mood.

Ingredients and Variations Of Overnight Oat Recipe

Overnight Oats are not only quick and easy to make, they can be made in a variety of ways. You can play around and come up with your own favorite recipes.

I love that this recipe has so many fantastic ingredients including

• Oatmeal, which are packed with nutrients and may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Read ” Are Oats Good For You?” From Medical News Today. !
• Almond Butter: I love almond butter and it can help lower bad cholestorol and raise good cholestorol becasue it is high in monounsaturated fats. Read more: “Health Benefits of Almond Butter” From WebMD
• Bananas, which are high in potassium and magnisium: Read more: “11 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Bananas” From Healthline.”
• Flaxseed, which contain protien, omega-3 and fiber and may help fight cancer, heart disease and diabetes: Read “10 Health Benefits of Flaxseed, According to a Nutritionist” From Healthline.

What I Like to Use In My Overnight Oats!

Personally, I like to use rolled oats. One night my husband brought home steel oats and it did not work for me. I think they might take a bit longer to make and I did not wait long enough. Regardless, I do not like the way steel oats feel on my teeth.

I prefer almond milk, usually vanilla. In my head it feels lighter and I never put a full cup in because I like my oats a little thicker. I feel like it is more filling and more satisfying.

I almost always warm my oatmeal up in the morning. Pre pandemic/working from home years, I put it in a disposable coffee mug and heated it up in the microwave at work. Now, in post-pandemic life, I heat it up in a bowl, in my kitchen and resist the urge to start working or watch TV as I eat. I learned from my husband who uses Noom for weight loss, that mindful eating affects weight moderation all day not just in the meal you are watching TV or working while eating. Those who are distracted while eating are less likely to control their weight. So, I try to enjoy my entire meal before moving on to the next activity.

Here are more Low-Calorie Overnight Oats I have found in my search.