Nutritionists notebook Awesome Oats
Oats are, quite simply, amazing. This humble grain has so many nutrients and health benefits that if there ever was a superfood, oats are it.
Native to the Near East and Europe, oats are easy to grow across most of Europe and North America, even in northern regions where other crops struggle. This makes them a superb and super-sustainable crop.
Oats are a great source of healthy carbohydrates including fibre, are low in fat and, perhaps surprisingly, they are high in protein. They pack a good bunch of vitamins and minerals too — several B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese.
PORTEIN SPECIALISTS
With protein content ranging from 12 to 24 per cent, oats are the protein champions among grains. They contain a high-quality protein called avenalin, found only in oats, which is similar to bean proteins. If you’d never thought of oats as a protein source, think again, they’re an excellent one.