Snotty Noses Happy Parents Raising Healthy Kids by Dr Orlena Kerek, Paediatrician

My children are NOT morning people. Breakfast is often a chaotic nightmare of screaming, shouting and juggling various coloured bowls, cups and spoons. If you have toddlers, I'm sure you can relate. Now, I know that breakfast is a really important meal. I love oats because they are healthy whole grains. But I have a confession. I often don't have time to cook oatmeal in the morning. Overnight oats are the perfect solution for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Overnight Oats are Healthy

Overnight Oats is a really easy and healthy breakfast. Think of it as porridge or oatmeal that you don’t have to cook and it’s ready waiting for you in the morning. Creamy and tasty.

Oats are whole grains which means that the fibre hasn't been removed. Fibre is good for lots of things but it's great at preventing constipation in children. Oats also contain protein. It's good to get our protein from a variety of sources, especially plant sources.

For me, one of the best things about homemade breakfast is that it doesn't have added sugar or salt. Boxed breakfast cereals contain lots of sugar and salt.  Even many of the ones that are branded as "healthy". (Check out the labels to see how much is in them.)

Fruit for Breakfast

You can use whatever fruit you like. Or nuts and dried fruit if you prefer. But we love peaches and this version is beautifully creamy.

You only really need to soak the oats in milk or water. It’s really that simple. The greek yoghurt gives it an extra boost of luxury.

Ingredients for Peaches and Cream Over Night Oats.

Enough for 6 hungry mouths

• 3 cups (300 g) of oats
• 3 cups (300 mls) milk or a mixture of milk and water
• 1 cup (125 mls) of greek yoghurt
• 2 cups (200 g) of cooked peaches

I use baked peaches, but any  peaches will do. You could use tinned peaches. Look for ones that are in peach juice rather than syrup.

If you can’t find peaches, how about apple puree, or cooked plums?

How to Make Overnight Oats

1. Tip everything into a container. If you want it to look pretty, a mason jar is very cute. A tupperware box is just fine too.
2. You want the liquid to be over the oats as they’ll absorb lots of liquid.
3. Mix and put in the fridge over night.

I told you it was easy didn’t I? 

You can add pretty much anything you like to overnight oats. Any type of fruit, nuts or seeds. I love putting in raisins and they get all plumped up and delicious!

Introducing New Foods to Kids

My children aren’t keen on new foods and only two of them even tried overnight oats. I know, it’s really frustrating. If only they’ll just give it a proper go, I know they’ll love them. That's fine. It takes time to get used to new things.

Patience and persistence are the keys to getting children to try new foods. And NOT pressuring them.

OK, I'll admit it. I'm not a morning person either. I drag my sleepy head downstairs and open the fridge door to find a pot of delicious overnight oats. What a result. I put it on the table and my healthy breakfast is ready for my "not morning people family". It may be a noisy affair, but those little tummies are filling up on a healthy nutritious breakfast as well as learning healthy eating habits. I'm a sleepy but happy mom.