When we first stumbled across a reference to oatmeal in a smoothie recipe, all we could think of was gummy clumps of raw oats floating in our delicious smoothies - emphasis on "smooth." But then we realized that there's a very easy trick to getting it right, and the effort is well worth it!
The trick is to grind the oatmeal into a powder before adding it to the smoothie. You can usually do this right in your blender. Just measure out around a quarter cup or so of oatmeal (per smoothie), give it a whir in the blender, and then add the rest of your smoothie ingredients.
The result is a thicker smoothie with an added nutritional boost! The oatmeal blends right in with the milk, fruits, and whatever else you've added. The starchy oatmeal absorbs some of the liquid, giving the smoothie more body and substance. This is especially good if you make your smoothie the night before or end up letting it sit for a little while before drinking it.
If the blender doesn't seem to be grinding the oatmeal finely enough for you, try using a spice grinder or food processor. You can grind several cups at once, store it in a jar, and then scoop out the amount you want every day. We're also curious to try toasting the oats beforehand to see if that gives us a richer flavor!
Do you ever put oatmeal in your smoothie?
Related: Better Steel Cut Oats: Try Toasting the Grains in Butter
(Image: Flickr member José Carlos Cortizo Pérez licensed under Creative Commons)
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Adding extra fiber to your smoothie sounds like a great idea.
I was also intrigued by this when I saw it on the NYT dinining blog. I am going to have to remember to try this the next time I make a smoothie.
I've always added oats to my smoothies! Flaxseed meal too, and sometimes a "fruit bar" type thing, or anything grainy. But I don't bother grinding it before. I just toss a handful of the stuff in there with everything else. I like having the little chewy/gritty bits in there. I imagine it would give a very different consistency if it were finely ground. Either way, oats in smoothies is wonderful. Especially banana-peanut butter smoothies....
Jamie Oliver recommends this to help smoothies "stick" so that you stay fuller longer. I always put in at least a small handful.
i love adding oatmeal to smoothies! a handful of baby spinach too and you've got a really complete meal!
actorsdiet...how much spinach? I've been toying with the idea of adding spinach to my breakfast smoothie, but I've totally avoided taking the plunge because I'm stymied about how much to get a nutritional boost without 'ruining' the smoothie I'm expecting to get out. (I don't know why I think its going to ruin it...I love spinach!)
i add oatmeal like this to some soups, too.
I like to add cereal-- Joe's O's (like Cheerios)-- to smoothies. Adds a nutty flavor and a little crunch (depending on blending time), no need to pre-grind into powder. Definitely makes a smoothie more filling!
Wow, never thought about this. Usually I add morning cereals to my green smoothies (I LOVE green smoothies :D) but oats is an even better and more nutritious idea ^^
Thanks, I'll try it soon :)
@meg254 - I add 2 large handfuls of spinach and don't feel like it negatively affects the flavor...it changes it but not in a bad way. I call it "fresh" tasting.
In my morning smoothie, I like to add granola. That plus frozen mixed berries, soymilk, and french vanilla yogurt is perfect!
Wow, I love this idea.
a good book on nutrition: Nourishing Traditions
based on this guy's studies: http:/www.westonaprice.org/
Part of the book talks about how to prepare grains. I don't think eating them raw is good for you.
Rolled oats aren't raw. They're steamed before they're rolled.
I recently purchased a bit of oat bran from the bulk food section at a nearby natural market just for this purpose.
I was searching around for something healthy and affordable to up the protein and fiber in a smoothie sans the isolates and mystery ingredients.
The simple vegan smoothie with soy milk, banana, frozen peaches, and oat bran turned out better than expected. I may add a bit of apple juice next time and make popsicles with it this summer.
Um, isn't oatmeal a powder already powder. Meal = powder
Hang on. Never mind. In Australia we call oat meal, oatmeal, and whole rolled oats, oats.
My go to smoothie for the last 3 years has been oats, banana, honey, vanilla, ice, water and cinnamon! yum. Easy way to eat oats (I hate them hot!)!
Rather than grinding oatmeal, try a chunk of tofu to thicken your smoothies instead.
My mom grinds her oatmeal before cooking it for smooth, hot cereal and I got this idea to put it in my smoothie since I really don't like to eat it hot. I get my soluble fiber and the heart doctor is happy! :)
Another addition if you like a little texture in your smoothie: Grape Nuts (or whatever equivalent). Blend in a hearty sprinkle at the very end just enough to mix, and you've got a little bit of healthy crunch! Or maybe it's just me and senior citizens who love Grape Nuts. It's okay, I'll own it.
I like adding a couple big handfuls of spinach to my berry banana smoothie in the morning. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk is my liquid of choice - that plus a banana produces such a luscious texture. I also lovelovelove topping my breakfast smoothie with high fiber cereal and eating it with a spoon. Feels like such a treat on a summer morning.
Would steel cut oats work? Or does it need to be rolled oats?
I use spinach in my banana/berry smoothies all the time. I have even tried kale. My favorite combination in baby leaf spinach (which has a very mild flavor), avocado, banana, blueberry/strawberry with almond milk. I might put 6-7 almonds in too. I thought about adding raw oatmeal and after reading this thread, I am going to try it!