Recipe: Slimming cereal

There's no excuse for skipping breakfast with this healthy feast


by Ruth Emmett
cereal

Ingredients (Serves 1-2)

  •  100g fresh cranberries
  • 250ml apple juice/cider
  • 350ml water
  • 90g oats
  • 1 tsp cinnamon 
  • ½ apple, chopped
  • Small dollop of natural yoghurt
  • Sprinkling of flaxseed

Method

1. Simmer the berries in the juice for about two minutes, until soft.

2. Add the water, oats, cinnamon and apple, and cook for three to six minutes.

3. Stir in the flaxseed and natural yoghurt.

The Benefits

Discounted Christmas cranberries won’t just save you a few pennies – they may also help you lose a few pounds. In research published in the Journal of Metabolism, a daily dose of the tart red fruit cuts LDL cholesterol in just two weeks.

In a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, meanwhile, swapping breakfast cereal for oats for two weeks led to a 47 per cent dip in study subjects’ fat absorption.

Flaxseed is one of the few natural sources of leucine, an amino acid that Louisiana State University researchers found helped athletes metabolise fat more efficiently, while leaving lean muscle mass intact.

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Discuss this article


Stuart Dolan 2
I'm going to give this a go this weekend!  I'm after a pre run meal/snack that'll set me up for the run, any ideas?  Am training to do an ultra event next year so want to get training now!
Posted: 04/01/2013 at 14:11


Wilkie

Porridge, of course!


Posted: 04/01/2013 at 14:16


KateF
This one should get you rocking if you use the cider option they suggest.
Posted: 04/01/2013 at 16:29


Also-ran

On my morning long runs, my pre-run meal is eaten at about 6pm the previous day. Not eating first thing might help your training to more efficiently burn fat on your ultra training. Your pre-run snack will just get your carb burners fired up. But if you must .. Porridge


Posted: 04/01/2013 at 17:02


Joolska

I loved the cider suggestion, too, as I fail to believe the cooking time is enough to evaporate the alcohol.  Start the day as you mean to go on

Pre-run I'll just have a banana or white toast with honey.  I do shorter runs on fresh air, but Also-ran is tougher than me!


Posted: 04/01/2013 at 17:54


Also-ran
Jools, my tough image is blown. 9 miles into todays run I was feeling short on energy. Rather than go for a gel, I diverted to Windsor, stopped at Patisserie Valerie, and had a mille feuille.
Posted: 05/01/2013 at 10:32


Joolska

Mille feuille v gel is no contest.  Don't blame you!


Posted: 05/01/2013 at 11:28


KateF

I don't tend to eat first unless the run is over 15 miles, but I now think I am going to have a pint of cider and a pretty pastry and see what happens.


Posted: 05/01/2013 at 11:37

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