Cholesterol Reducing Breakfast Recipe

Rolled Oats are healthy because they contain fiber that is vital for healthy arteries. Rolled oats are made from oat groats. This means that the outer husk that is inedible has been removed and the inner grain has been rolled under heavy rollers and lightly steamed.

Oatmeal on the other hand, has had the groat cut out, thus reducing the fiber drastically.

Rolled oats have 10g of fiber to each 100 grams. They also have low sugar (1g per 100) and low fat (6g per 100)

In addition to this, they contain vital vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, vitamin E, iron and phosphorus. A final point is that they are the only source of the antioxidant called avenanthramides which protects the circulatory system.

Because of their high fiber content, they are nature's magic food for lowering cholesterol. Even if your cholesterol levels are okay, the following recipe is cheap and healthy.

You will need:

• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 2 grated apples
• half a cup chopped apricots *
• half a cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cups low fat milk

* apricots are low GI, but other dried fruit can be used such as sultanas

Combine the oats, grated apples, dried fruit and walnuts into a one liter bowl. I use a glass dish with a plastic lid.

Add the milk and pat it down with the back of a spoon so that the oats are all soaking in the milk.

Cover and put in the fridge overnight, by next morning it is ready to eat.

I make this bircher with apricots for myself, and this mixture last me about a week. I usually eat more on the weekend as I have more time. 

On weekdays I simply take the lid off, and eat it straight out of the fridge cold. About 6 good spoonfuls keeps me going until lunch time.

My husband has one made with sultanas. He puts about one sixth into a bowl, adds more milk and microwaves it for about three minutes and eats it hot. It keeps him going until the evening.

Cheap - definitely. I have not worked out the exact cost, but it is really cheap to make, and, as I said, this mixture lasts me all week.

Easy - definitely. It takes me about 5 minutes each week to make both mixtures for myself and my husband. Super easy in the morning when I'm in a hurry - just take off the lid and eat straight out of the dish!

Healthy - absolutely! This brought down my cholesterol, and also my husband's came down. If you don't believe me, try it! You have nothing to lose!