My Favorite Oatmeal with Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients

The text or call from a friend that they’ve safely delivered their baby is always the best message to receive, and from my local friends, those messages are often followed by, “But have you ever had the healing oats at the Valley Hospital?”

The Valley Hospital is a local hospital in my area that makes a healing turmeric oat bowl for those who have given birth. My girlfriends who have had babies at this hospital have become obsessed with it. 

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These many messages piqued my curiosity as to what is so special about these oats. The oats were bright yellow (no doubt packed with turmeric) and topped with a variety of fresh fruits, nuts and seeds. I set out to create a recipe for them, and I’ve finally perfected it. It’s now my go-to gift for new moms and neighbors recovering from surgery. And now, you can make it, too.

What Are Healing Oats?

My formula for warming healing oats begins with rolled oats. In the debate about which oat reigns supreme, my vote is always for the one that cooks the quickest. (I’ve got two small kids in my house, so quick is key!) 

The oats are cooked in equal parts water and full-fat coconut milk, which gives the base of the oat bowl a smooth and creamy texture. A spice blend of turmeric, black pepper, freshly grated ginger and cinnamon gives the oats the beautiful yellow color, as well as a nice grounding flavor that feels like it’s healing you from the inside out. Depending on what I have available, I may also add spices such as cardamom, nutmeg and cloves. 

I stir in a bit of maple syrup or agave at the end for a hint of sweetness and depth of flavor. The oats are best served in a bowl and topped with a combination of your choice of fruits (like cherries and berries) and seeds and nuts (like walnuts, chia and flax). They truly feel like a hug from the inside of your body—no wonder, since the oats are filled with warming, anti-inflammatory goodness.

What Makes This an Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast

It’s no secret that turmeric and ginger lead the pack of anti-inflammatory spices, but did you know they work better together? The combination of powerhouse spices provides more anti-inflammatory properties in combination than alone, research suggests. Black pepper is key here, too. The spice boasts anti-inflammatory properties of its own, but it also interacts with turmeric in a good way. “Combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body’s ability to absorb turmeric’s beneficial compounds,” says Mary-Eve Brown, RD, a clinical dietitian at Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

I also like to add cinnamon, a warming spice, to as many dishes as I can—from these oats to savory chicken dishes to chilis and beyond. Cinnamon adds so much flavor, while increasing the anti-inflammatory properties of the dish.

My go-to topper for one of my favorite breakfasts is nuts. It is no secret that nuts have many health benefits, as they are packed with everything from omega-3 fatty acids to fiber. Nuts have also been found to reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic disease. My favorites are walnuts, pistachios or pecans. (Or, all three!)

Finally, there’s the nonscientific part of healing from home-cooked meals. My post-baby gift to girlfriends is always a drop-off of some easy, quick and hearty meals. I usually try to pack them with anti-inflammatory ingredients to promote healing. As someone who has been on the receiving end of a homemade food delivery when recovering from a cesarean section, I know the relief and thoughtfulness of having nourishing food in the fridge. That’s why I keep the healing oat factory cracking in my kitchen, so I can make my friends feel cared for from the inside out all year.