OATMEAL Promotes Milk Production in Breastfeeding Mothers.

The Serious Oats Family has been growing rapidly this year starting with the arrival of Lucia Rose in June. Now, Congratulations to Dr. Scharper on the newest - most handsome - member of the family, Philip III!
Keeping within the spirit of new life, did you know that oatmeal can promote milk production in new mothers? It is not know exactly why, but many moms report more milk production on the days they begin with a bowl of oat meal. 

Here is what KELLY MOM has to say about it. 

Eating a bowl of oatmeal, if nothing else, is healthy for mom. At best, it may be a simple way to increase milk supply.

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast each morning is a frequently heard recommendation for increasing milk supply. Although there is no scientific evidence regarding oatmeal and milk supply, oatmeal does seem to work for some. Many working moms have noticed that on the days they eat oatmeal for breakfast, they can pump more milk than on the days they eat something else. In some countries, “traditional wisdom” recommends eating oatmeal as a way to increase milk supply. A number of lactation consultants recommend eating oatmeal as a way to increase supply.

Some possible explanations:

• Oatmeal is is a good source of iron. It is known that maternal anemia/low iron levels can result in a decreased milk supply, so it makes sense that eating something high in iron might increase milk supply in some women.
• Oatmeal is a comfort food for many women. Anything that increases relaxation in mom can encourage let-down, and hence also influence milk supply.
• A use that some of the milk-increasing herbs share is that of decreasing cholesterol levels. Herbs used for both increasing milk production and decreasing cholesterol levels include fenugreek and alfalfa. Oat bran, which is in oatmeal, is also known to help lower cholesterol.

Suggested dosage:	One bowl of hot oatmeal (any type) every day. Some moms say that they see an increase in supply when they eat anything made with oats, including instant oatmeal and oatmeal cookies.
Side effects:	Oats are not associated with any adverse effects Those with gluten sensitivity (celiac disease) should eat oats with caution

Not that you need any more reasons to LOVE Serious Oats. 

Oatmeal Promotes a Better Feeling of Fullness

According to a recent article posted by the Huffington Post, oatmeal may be your key to feeling satiated through out the day. Feeling fuller longer keeps you from making poor nutrition and eating decisions and keeps you on track for a healthy lifestyle.

When compared to ready to eat cereals, eating oatmeal for breakfast provided a greater feeling of fullness and a decreased desire to eat again for up to four hours later.

We all know the key to losing weight and maintain good nutrition is a delicate dance between quantity and quality. It is not only important to monitor your portion sizes and frequency of your snacking but also the quality of what it is that you are eating. You should be sure you are getting the most nutritional bang for your buck. And sometimes the foods we eat can work in our favor to help us on our path to good health and nutrition. As we see in the study published by The Journal of the American College of Nutrition, when compared to ready to eat cereals, oatmeal provides a fuller more satisfied sensation, thus negating your need to snack more or go back to the kitchen for your next meal sooner.

"The increase in satiety may be attributed to the viscosity of oatmeal," researchers wrote in the study. "Increased viscosity was due to the hydration properties, higher molecular weight, and concentration of the beta-glucan in oatmeal compared to the [ready-to-eat cereal]."

So eat up that Oatmeal folks!