That’s not to say the food is only beneficial to athletes.

We’ve got the answer.

Or maybe you picture greens like kale and spinach.

Woman eating oatmeal in bed

Oats may be decidedly beige both figuratively and literally but this common breakfast food iseverybit a superfood.

But that’s not all.

So, eat up.

Oatmeal on wooden spoon

Having oats will up your nutrient intake

Oats aren’t just full of antioxidants.

A2012 studyrevealed that oats “possess a protein quality of high nutritional value.”

It’s more than just protein that makes oatmeal a superfood, though.

hands holding bowl of oatmeal

In addition, the dietitian revealed that oats contain iron and B vitamins.

And don’t forget fiber.

“Then you’re just putting carbs on top of carbs,” Cording explained.

woman eating oatmeal after exercising

Instead, she suggested boosting plain oats with flax seed or preparing them with milk as opposed to water.

you might even cook in egg whites to up your protein intake even more, according to the expert.

Let’s break it down.

steel-cut oats

Thankfully though, oatmeal is here to save the day.

One packet of instant oats contains 8.2 milligrams nearly 46 percent of your daily value of this energy-producing mineral.

Likewise,B vitaminsplay an important role in helping your body produce energy.

oatmeal with blueberries

A packet of instant oatmeal contains 22 percent of your recommended vitamin B6 intake.

This basically makes oatmeal thesupremebreakfast food.

If you’re looking to stay fuller longer, you’ll want to stick with instant oats.

woman in workout clothes holding oatmeal

As highlighted above, oatmeal is still going to keep you full even the steel-cut kind.

Who knew oatmeal wasthismagical?

According toHealthline, it’s an eating plan designed for weight loss.

large bowl of oatmeal

As isthe problem with many fad diets, the oatmeal diet is also restrictive.

According toHealthline, it also “coats the stomach and digestive tract.”

In 2016, researchers based in Norway and Sweden studied the correlation between oatmeal and gut microflora functions.

“okay” hand symbol near stomach

Our bellies and bodies love fiber and, likewise, oatmeal.

Eat oatmeal, of course.

In 1997, the FDA awarded the heart-healthy label to oats.

Oatmeal in heart shape

In the years since, oats remain aheart-healthy, cholesterol-lowering superfood.

This same fiber can also “reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.”

A half cup of oatmeal will get you pretty close to that number atfour grams per half-cup serving.

bowl of oatmeal with berries

Add in abanana, and you’ll have easily eaten seven grams before you’re even hungry for lunch.

Nutritionist Juliette Kellow advised aiming for “three portions a day” of whole grains.

This is because of their high glycemic index, dermatologist Whitney Bowe toldReader’s Digest.

Oatmeal milk for skincare

you’re able to also apply oatmealdirectlyto your skin for added benefits.

How many other foods can do that?

“And it’s a slow-digesting carb.”

overnight oats

When it comes to protein especially, oats are definitely the frontrunner.

Of course, this isn’t just specific to men wanting to bulk up.

And, well, she went undefeated 12 consecutive times in 2014 and 2015.

woman eating oatmeal before exercising

By the last day, she said she was feeling good or, rather, “feeling gooooood.”

My meals are spaced out better, and I feel lighter on my feet throughout the day.

Of course, there’s no way to knowexactlyhow you’ll feel unless you add oatmeal to your diet.

woman smiling while eating oatmeal

Grab that spoon and dig in.