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Energy for Living
For such a simple grain, the humble oat really is remarkable in the nourishment and health benefits it delivers.
Fitness
Whatever level of exercise you do, it’s important to nourish your body and when possible, eat natural foods that deliver slow-release energy for your body - porridge oats do just that. A bowl of Flahavan’s will sustain you longer - it’s high in fibre, low in fat and it’s a great source of thiamine, folate, manganese, zinc, phosphorous and magnesium*. These vitamins and minerals help contribute to the normal function of the muscles and bones and also contribute to normal energy yielding metabolism**.
Children
Breakfast has long been documented as the most important meal of the day for all of us, and especially for children. It’s not just that they have a breakfast, it’s about what they eat for it.
Every parent knows that giving their children a nourishing breakfast means they will have a better start to the day. It’s essential for their health and well-being and studies show that kids who eat a healthy breakfast tend to continue to make healthier food choices.
A warm bowl of Flahavan’s porridge oats delivers a slow-release energy to keep them going and can help improve concentration. Children who eat a wholegrain breakfast also tend to maintain a balanced diet.
It’s good news for the younger family members too.
Porridge oats are ideal nutrition for babies who have started eating solids. They can be fed blended oats (blend until desired consistency is achieved) from the age of 6 months. Rich in the nutrients they need, like carbohydrates, protein, vitamins & minerals and fibre, it’s reassuring to know that porridge oats are one of the most natural foods to feed your little one. If you do have any concerns for your baby consuming porridge for the first time, please seek medical advice.
Balanced Diet
One of the great things about oats is that they’re so sustaining**. A bowl of porridge oats for breakfast will keep you going right up to lunch and you’ll be less inclined to want sugary snacks along the way.
Soluble fibre also slows the absorption of glucose into the body, which means you’ll minimise the effects of high and low sugar peaks.
Porridge made with milk is a mix of carbohydrates, protein, calcium and fibre and contains no added salt or added sugar*. Oats also contain essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, thiamine, phosphorus as well as B vitamins*.
With a rise in sedentary lifestyles and so many added sugars and additives in what we eat, switching to a bowl of Flahavan’s for breakfast is an easy and immediate way to change things for the better.
Gluten Free
Oats are naturally gluten-free, in saying this we cannot give a definitive ‘100% gluten free’ declaration on all of our products for the reasons listed below;
Our Oats are tested frequently for Gluten and in general contain <10ppm gluten but on occasion we may get a result as high as 20ppm and thus are unable to state they are gluten free. This is due to farming practices, whereby a farmer may have grown wheat in the field prior to growing oats. This can lead to some rogue wheat that may have contaminated the oat equipment or oat transport.
However the good news is, if you are coeliac in Ireland, we recommend our Flahavan’s Gluten Free Pure Irish Porridge Oats (550g), which is certified suitable for coeliacs by the Coeliac Society of Ireland. These oats are produced using stringent controls during their growth, harvest and at each stage of processing.
Golden Older
Heart Health
Oats have long been proven to help lower your cholesterol** and are a key food to include in a heart-healthy diet. Uniquely, they have a soluble fibre called beta-glucan that encourages the liver to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood. Regular consumption of beta-glucan as part of a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels**.
Just 3g of beta-glucan are needed to do this and an average bowl of Flahavan’s will give you 1g of beta glucan. Eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is important at every stage of life. Balanced diets are all about combining several different types of foods – from each of the main food groups- in the right amounts so your body gets all the right nutrients it needs, while maintaining a healthy weight. Healthy eating involves plenty of vegetables, salad and fruit, a serving of wholemeal cereals (e.g. oats) & breads, potatoes, pasta and rice at every meal, some milk, yogurt &/or cheese, some meat poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts and a very small amount of fats, spreads & oils
Digestive Health
Fibre is one of the most important elements of a healthy diet and something we should include in what we eat, every day. Fibre helps your digestive system to process food by keeping everything moving, and nutritionists recommended that we all eat 25-30 grams of fibre a day**. This can come from a variety of wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and of course, from porridge oats. Pair this with some of your 5 a day fresh fruit and you can increase your fibre in-take considerably.
Dairy Intolerance
Dairy Intolerance is a reaction to lactose, the natural sugar found in milk, and results in symptoms such as bloating, wind and cramps. In Ireland it’s estimated that approximately 4-5% of the population suffer with an intolerance to dairy***. Happily, oats are great for personalising according to your taste and dietary preferences! Many of our traditional porridge products are just as delicious when prepared using plant-based dairy alternatives (like our own Flahavan’s Oat Drinks) or by simply using water, while our Overnight Oats range is particularly tasty when prepared using apple juice.
Vegan
Oats are a great source of nutrition for everyone and because they’re a pure and natural wholegrain cereal, they’ve a popular spot in a vegan diet.
With the exception of our Porridge Pots and Granola’s (which contain Honey), all of the other products in the Flahavan’s range are suitable for vegans.
On its own, a bowl of Flahavan’s is a delicious and nourishing way to start your day. Add fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, apple and cinnamon and you can enjoy a different tasty breakfast, every time.
Combining Flahavan’s oats with other foods means you can enjoy a wide range of tasty and nutritious recipes throughout the day, for baking, cooking and tasty snacks.
Health-wise, it’s all good too. Oats are an excellent source of iron, protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Being full of slow-release energy, they’ll sustain you longer, they’re rich in fibre* and can help lower your cholesterol**, as part of a low-fat diet.
REFERENCES:
* Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods ANNEX
Nutrition claims and conditions applying to them
** https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/?event=search
Note: All information pertaining to vitamins and minerals mentioned are reflective of external analysis carried out on Porridge Oats
