Monday 28th September was World Heart Day, organised by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness of Cardiovascular diseases, which its research claims an estimated 17.5 million lives every year worldwide. According to the British Heart Foundation, almost half of all heart disease deaths in the UK are due to raised blood cholesterol levels and although we all know that high cholesterol levels are dangerous, the majority of us are unaware that oatbran is a well-known, everyday ingredient that can help reduce cholesterol.*

 

To mark World Heart Day on Monday 28th September we’re launching an awareness programme called ‘The Oatbran Plan’, to educate everyone in Britain about the benefits of oatbran and how to introduce more oatbran into our daily diet.

 

We’re passionate about healthy eating and are keen to spread the message of the importance of oatbran in our daily diet. And we should know, we’ve been aware of the great benefits of oatbran for the past three centuries!

 

According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the higher your cholesterol level, the higher your risk of a heart attack. But there are things you can do to bring your bad cholesterol down and reduce your risk of heart disease

 

*The inclusion of oatbran as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a healthy lifestyle can help actively reduce blood cholesterol. People with a healthy heart tend to eat more wholegrain foods as part of a healthy lifestyle. FAQ

What is the Oatbran Plan?

 

The Oatbran Plan from Mornflake offers five simple ways to ensure you eat more oatbran in your daily diet, to help the battle with cholesterol:

Breakfast - opt for bowl of healthy and simple oatbran-based cereal, such Mornflake Very Berry Oatbran Flakes. A bowl of Mornflake Superfast Oats or Mornflake Organic Oats contains all the oatbran from the oat groat, therefore maintaining all the goodness. Or if it’s the weekend and you have more time, try making some oatbran pancakes.

 

Mid-morning - prepare some delicious muffins made from Mornflake Oatbran – a tasty treat for all the family.

 

Lunch – add extra oatbran to your lunchtime meal for a healthy boost. If you’re having a jacket potato with cheese, add some Mornflake Oatbran for extra texture, taste and added health benefits. Or if you’re a sandwich fan, try making oatbran bread using one of our exciting recipes.

 

Afternoon snack – mix some Mornflake Oatbran in a hot chocolate drink for a comforting afternoon pick-me-up.

 

For your evening meal, use Mornflake Oatbran instead of breadcrumbs in your favourite casseroles, meatloaf and meatballs.

How can I lower my cholesterol?

Simple diet and lifestyle changes can significantly help lower cholesterol

 

Diet, weight, physical activity, gender, age and genes all affect your cholesterol

 

You can lower your cholesterol by eating fewer saturated fats and trans fats and more fresh fruit and vegetables

 

Changing to a healthier diet can reduce cholesterol levels by 5-10 per cent, according to the British Heart Foundation

 

Opt for regular exercise, such as 30 minutes brisk walking every day

 

You should adopt a low fat diet fat, avoiding saturated (animal) fats and transfats (found in some processed foods, such as cakes and pastries)

 

You should try and increase your consumption of unsaturated fats from foods of plant origin – vegetables, nuts and seeds and oily fish, to reduce levels of 'bad' cholesterol

 

The soluble fibre in fruit and vegetables, such as apples and lentils may help; folic acid found in leafy green vegetables or taken as a supplement may also be useful

 

Oatbran is a great way to reduce cholesterol as it absorbs excess cholesterol on its way through your body

Mornflake Oatbran - How Does It Work?

 

Mornflake Oatbran is the perfect addition to any breakfast – just sprinkle on top of your breakfast cereal, to experience the benefits of oatbran and a give yourself an extra healthy start every morning.

 

Made from 100% British sourced oatbran, Mornflake Oatbran will give you all the benefit of oatbran without the fuss.

 

Mornflake Oatbran can also be used in a variety of other meals and snacks. Sprinkle on top of jacket potatoes, to get extra oatbran in a quick, healthy lunchtime snack. Add to a stew for some extra texture, or include in your favourite flapjack recipe.

 

The Mornflake ‘Oatbran Plan’ campaign aims to highlight the benefits of oatbran in aiding a healthier lifestyle and our range of delicious oatbran products, such as Mornflake Toasted Oatbran or Very Berry Oatbran Flakes are simple to use and perfect for those with busy lifestyles.

 

To prove that healthy eating can still be tasty eating, we’ve teamed up with Masterchef finalist David Hall to create some delicious new Mornflake Oatbran recipes that will make it simple to introduce more oatbran into your diet. Visit our recipe section for inspiration or check out our entire range of Mornflake Oatbran products here.

 

 

Did You Know?
The inclusion of oatbran as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a healthy lifestyle can help actively reduce cholesterol. In fact, just one 40g serving of oatbran contains 83% of the recommended daily amount (3g) of beta glucan – the soluble fibre absorbed into bloodstream that helps remove cholesterol.