Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothie

This Oatmeal Smoothie flavored with coconut and pineapple tastes like a pina colada but is actually good for you. It's creamy, packed with protein and whole grains, and will keep you full all morning.

Oatmeal smoothies may just be my favorite warm weather breakfast. Don’t get me wrong, I really love oatmeal and during cold months it is a staple breakfast for me. However, when the weather warms up, sometimes oatmeal is the last thing I want. So for those hot summer mornings, I love turning my favorite oatmeal combinations into smoothies. By adding the oats directly to my smoothies, not only are my smoothies more filling (so my stomach isn’t screaming at 10 am), I also get all the whole grain benefits of the oats. Lately, I have been loving this pina colada inspired oat smoothie, but you can mix it up with any fruit you like. Here’s my go-to oatmeal smoothie base recipe.

There are tons of questions when it comes to making oatmeal smoothies so I want to try and answer as many of them as possible.

Can I put oatmeal in a smoothie? Is it good?

It's no surprise based on the recipe that the answer is a resounding yes. Adding around one-fourth of a cup of oatmeal to a smoothie is a great way to make it more filling as well as boost the nutritional content. Oatmeal is incredibly nutritious and good for you, so by adding it to your smoothies you can get all those benefits as well. To make sure it tastes good and doesn't get lumpy in your smoothie, it is best to pulse the oatmeal by itself first. Once it is a fine powder, add all your other ingredients. You may have to add a little extra liquid depending on the smothie recipe. 

Can I put raw oatmeal in a smoothie?

Eating raw oats is completely fine as long as they are combined with liquid in some way. Combining them with a liquid makes the oats more digestible so it is easier for your stomach to process the starch in the oatmeal. Pulsing the oats first, before adding the other smoothie ingredients, also helps when it comes to digestion.  However, you do not want to use raw steel cut oats. These are much harder for your body to process and need to be cooked.

Can I use quick oats in a smoothie? What about instant oats?

Quick and instant oats can be used in a smoothie as well, but raw rolled oats are the best option. These oats are less processed and will give you the most health benefits. If you are using quick oats, you will still want to blend them into a flour beforehand. Instant oats don't need to be ground ahead of time. Also remember that if you use instant oats, many times they have added flavor and sugar.

Is it bad to eat raw oats that haven't been cooked?

Oats that haven't been cooked at all can cause stomach and digestive troubles if they aren't combined with liquid. When you add liquid and let the oats soften, they are easier for your body to digest. Additionally, when they are blended, they are broken down, which aids in digestion. If you have any stomach issues, you can soak the oats the night before in the milk. 

Can I make oatmeal smoothies ahead of time? Do they work for meal prep?

Oatmeal smoothies are a great option for meal prep and can make ahead of time. There are two easy ways to prep oatmeal smoothies. The first is to add all the fruits, veggies, and seeds to a ziploc bag. Freeze the ziploc bag until you are ready to use it. Prep the oatmeal by pulsing in the blender and store that in an airtight container in the pantry. When you are ready to eat, add everything to the blender with your liquid of choice and blend. You can also prepare these smoothies in mason jars, similar to how you would prep overnight oats. Add everything to a mason jar or container uand close. When ready to use, dump the contents into a blender. Blend, adding a little extra liquid if needed.