CARROT CAKE OVERNIGHT OATS

Creamy, nutrient-packed carrot cake oatmeal packed. With hidden health benefits, this oatmeal is the perfect way to start the day.

This post is sponsored by Silk.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oatmeal - a nutrient-packed well-balanced way to start the day.

Fun fact: I ate cereal every day for breakfast until I was 24 years old. And not the low-sugar whole grain healthful kind…the sugar bomb kid cereals with all the artificial colors and approximately zero nutrient quality. Once I started paying more attention to my overall health and began eating a nutrient-rich diet, my daily cereal habit transformed into gluten-free oats or veggie scrambles for my breakfast routine.

I’ve discussed my own gut health on my blog quite a bit over the last year, as it’s a topic to which many people can relate. 70-80% of our immune system resides in our gut, so when our gut is healthy, our immune system is ironclad; on flip side, if our digestive system is out of sorts, our overall health is compromised. Tailoring your diet to promote your own personal gut health is the biggest step toward not only healing your body of any chronic ailments but also preventing illness.

Let’s dive into this a little further and talk prebiotics.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oatmeal - a nutrient-packed, well-balanced breakfast that's quick and easy to prepare

If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, I’ve gotcha covered. Probiotics are the helpful good bacteria in your gut (the “good bugs”) that help break down your food, fight off pathogens to keep your immune system strong, and send signals to your brain about your level of satiety, hunger, and provide information on the types of food your body needs.

Prebiotics are foods that help feed the good bacteria in your gut, keeping them alive, well, and reproducing so that they can ideally outnumber the bad bacteria in your gut. Consuming prebiotics is one of the most efficient ways of strengthening your gut microbiota, since good bacteria cannot survive without the proper nutrition.

Examples of powerful prebiotics are chicory root, onions, garlic, cauliflower, oats, dandelion greens, fermented food and beverages, and more.

When healthy bacteria reigns, not only are you are properly absorbing nutrients, but you’re reaping the benefits of a clear mind and happy mood, which coincide with a healthy digestive system.

That said, when your gut microbiota is imbalanced and bad bacteria outnumber good bacteria, the bad bacteria use prebiotic foods as fuel as well, which can cause IBS symptoms. This is why it’s important to be mindful of gut health – once there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria, it requires a lot of diligence to shift your system back in balance.

Now that we’ve covered a little Gut Health 101, let’s talk about this Carrot Cake Overnight Oatsrecipe.

I used Silk’s Prebiotic Almond & Cashew Milk to make these overnight oats. This non-dairy beverage includes chicory root, prebiotic fiber, and oat flour, which adds another prebiotic element to an inherently prebiotic meal. I love the flavor and texture of the milk – it is subtly sweet, thick, creamy, and makes an incredible overnight oat!

Carrot Cake Overnight Oatmeal - a well-balanced breakfast packed with nutrients that's quick to prepare

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats - a nutrient-packed vegan breakfast recipe perfect for starting the day on the right foot

If you’ve never made overnight oats, it’s a quick no-cook approach to oatmeal. Simply stir all the ingredients together in a jar or sealable container, refrigerate overnight, and wake up to a thick and creamy breakfast that’s all ready for you the following morning. If you prefer your oatmeal warm, simply heat it up on the stove top or in the microwave!