Orange Creamsicle Overnight Oats

Overnight recipes are honestly just the best for breakfast! Overnight oats have such a creamy texture and they can be put together in 5 minutes and eaten instantly the next morning! These overnight oats are absolutely scrumptious - they taste like a Creamsicle! So yummy! Along with being super easy to put together, these oats are full of nutritious ingredients!

Also, do you like the video for today's recipe? I thought I'd try something different, let me know if you like it!

Oats are famous for being the perfect breakfast food, and they keep you full for ages because of all the fiber in them! They contain a specific fiber called beta-glucan, which lowers cholesterol and supports the immune system. Oats can also control blood sugar control, as well as reducing the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Chia seeds in here are thrown in not only for giving the oats a bit of a pudding-like texture, they're super nutritious. Chia seeds have been classified as a superfood, and its because they are full of nutrients! Also, did you know that they are gluten free?

Chia seeds are full of omega-3 fats, which are great for supporting healthy cholesterol levels, fighting inflammation and lowering the risk for diabetes. They add to the fullness factor of this dish because they have lots of dietary fiber, and they can help promote healthy digestion too. Additionally, chia seeds can protect against autoimmune disease and cancer and can help prevent rheumatoid arthritis because of

the phytochemicals and flavonoids in them. Also, they help redistribute lipids to other parts of the body, which can lessen liver fat, inflammation and fibrosis. Chia seeds are both low in cholesterol and sodium, and they have a high amount of potassium, calcium and phosphorus, all which aid nerve and bone health. They also contain Niacin, which is a B Vitamin that helps reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels, as well as manage nervous system disorders. I see why its a superfood!

The greek yogurt in these overnight oats helps add to the lovely creamy texture of this dish! I recommend using whole milk, organic yogurt not only to avoid any hidden sugars or additives, but also because any flavored ones might mess with the flavor of the oats! We add vanilla extract and orange juice in here anyway, so there's no real need to use any flavored yogurt. Greek yogurt contains more fat and protein than other yogurts, but you can opt for regular yogurt in this recipe if you wish; it might just be a bit more runny. Either way, yogurt has a ton of nutrients, like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and vitamin A! It's also great for gut health, as it contains probiotics, which are a healthy bacteria that boosts the immune system. Yogurt is a fantastic source of protein too!

For the orange juice, I recommend sticking with fresh if you can. Other than the fact that it usually tastes better than the store bought version, you can also guarantee that its 100% orange juice and doesn't have any hidden sugars, additives or concentrates! You will only need about half an orange to make a quarter cup, so you can squeeze the whole thing and drink the rest (that’s what i did!) or you can leave it and use it to make another one of these overnight oats the next day!

Also, fresh oranges have lots of nutrients, and using store bought orange juice means you'll miss out on all the mighty fresh orange's nutrients! As you probably know, oranges contain tons of Vitamin C, which lots of antioxidants and is important for strengthening the immune system. Oranges also have some minerals: potassium, which we need for controlling our heart rate and blood pressure; calcium, which we need for developing strong bones and teeth. They also have lots of B vitamins, like folate which helps our body develop red blood cells, and B6, which is necessary for healthy brain function and development. They also contain phytochemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as dietary fiber. All of this from the humble little orange! This is why we say we should be eating our fruits and veggies ;-)

If you recreate this recipe, be sure to post it on Instagram and tag us @lorrainekearneynutrition; we love to see you eating delicious, nutritious foods!