Muesli (pronounced Mews-li) is a fiber- and protein-rich breakfast and brunch option based on raw, rolled oats and other diverse breakfast ingredients.
The concoction, which is full of vitamins, iron, and magnesium, can also be mixed together with milk (soy, almond, or cow), or yogurt or fruit juice, and left in the fridge overnight.
Muesli is often likened to granola, but it’s typically a more natural option with less sugar, making it the healthier option of the two.
So, why else should you favor this mish-mash first thing in the morning? Here are five other reasons you should be waking up to muesli tomorrow morning.
1. It’s good for your heart
Muesli contains oat bran, which includes an oat fiber called beta-glucan.According to studies, beta-glucan can help reduce cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent.
By eating muesli regularly, you’ll be drastically improving your heart health. Do your heart another favor and add lemon juice to your mixture. Adding vitamin C can help lower your cholesterol too, boosting your heart health even more.
Since you can essentially marinate muesli like a steak by soaking it overnight, the good nutrients have more time to get absorbed. Any “antinutrients” that interfere with digestive enzymes or inhibit mineral absorption can become deactivated.
While cooking food can have a similar effect on these antinutrients, soaking your food makes it even easier to digest.
3. It’s satisfying
Remember beta-glucan? Well, it can do more than reduce your cholesterol. Not only is it full of fiber, but adding beta-glucan to your baking products like muffins, cakes, pasta, noodles, or muesli, can affect their attributes like thickening ability, texture, and appearance.
Studies have found that in addition to contributing to the attributes and nutritional value of a product, beta-glucan can improve the sensory and gustatory properties of some products. That means it just might satisfy any cravings that come up.
4. You can add protein
And pretty much whatever else you want! Adding nuts can incorporate protein and omega-3 fatty acids into your breakfast, while other ingredients like fruit can give you a healthy dose of potassium, fiber, vitamin E, C, B-12, and more.
Milk or dairy alternatives like almond milk, flax milk, soymilk, or yogurt that you’ll typically soak your oats in are another way to incorporate dairy and protein too.
5. You’ll avoid eating something unhealthy
By choosing muesli as your go-to breakfast, you’ll save yourself from potentially eating something fattening or full of sugar that could damage your health, and your waistline.
With muesli, you’ll be making a smart breakfast decision that will benefit you all day long.
