Oats are a positive power pack of vitamins and provide a boost of energy that is carried throughout the day. A warm bowl of oatmeal is a great way to start the day during the winter months, or combined in muesli in the summer months. (Try to stay away from refined and quick rolled oats as they have a higher GI and will digest faster.)Oats were originally used for medicinal purposes in Asia. Oats are a valuable source of carbohydrates, protein, potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron. They are also rich with vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12. Health benefits from oats include stabilized blood sugar levels, improvement of cardiovascular health, improved immune system response and lower cholesterol levels. Oats also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Oats are delicious with muesli or in a hot bowl of oatmeal for breakfast with some fresh fruit, but are extremely versatile as a baking ingredient. Make muesli bars, oat bran cookies or grind the oats into a flour and use in place of wheat flour. Roasted oats can also be sprinkled on top of salads and other dishes for added flavour and nutrition. You can also create a calming face mask from oats. Image: Yulia Davidovich/Shutterstock