Happy National Peanut Butter Day!
If I had to choose only one favorite food combination, I think it would have to be chocolate and peanut butter. Although I could be (and often am) very happy eating the combination off of a spoon, I also enjoy incorporating it into simple and nutritious recipes. I believe that the key to a nourishing meal with sustanence is incorporating a balanced amount of each macronutrient (carbs, protein, and healthy fats). When it comes to breakfast, protein oatmeal is the perfect easy meal to whip up to fuel a long day at work, replenish after a yoga, or just cozy up with on the couch.
Here’s what makes this cozy meal so protein-rich:
Peanut butter- My love. I often use chocolate peanut butter in this recipe, but regular is just as delicious. Even just a small amount delivers protein, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidant vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Protein powder– My family and I love the chocolate and vanilla protein powders from Vega and Livwell Nutrition.
Hemp seeds– As an easily digestible source of protein, they are packed with all of the essential amino acids, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids.
Oats- Even without the addition of the other protein-rich foods, oats themselves contain about 5 grams of protein in every 1/2 cup. They also provide an abundance of other nutrients such as fiber and phytonutrients that have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering properties.
What really makes this recipe stand out is the flavor. As far as I’m concerned, this meal is the definition of dessert for breakfast, so I hope that you try it out for yourself and enjoy!
- 1 cup water or non-dairy milk of choice
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar or sweetener of choice, optional
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1 tbsp semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- Toppings
- 1-2 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 ripe banana, sliced
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- Heat water/milk and oats in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer on low for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and almost all liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the flaxseed, sweetener, protein powder, pinch of salt, and chocolate.
- Remove from heat and transfer oats to a serving bowl. Top with peanut butter, banana, hemp seeds, and any other toppings that you love.
- Enjoy!
- I often like to use chocolate peanut butter in this recipe (as pictured), but regular peanut butter is just as delicious!
