Banana Oat Cookies

Now firstly I want to point out that this recipe is NOT Gluten Free. Whilst I am Coeliac and most of the food eaten in our household is Gluten Free, Stella still has oats for brekkie in her Porridge and Bircher. As a result of this, I know she loves them so I thought why not make her a cookie that is healthy enough for her to snack on all day long.  However, I have included a gluten free option as well.

I only wish that I could eat oats. Oats are one of the most nutritious grains.  They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.  They have a low glycemic index, maintaining blood glucose levels keeping you fuller for longer.  Whilst most people who are gluten intolerant are fine with Oats, I would recommend that Coeliacs steer clear of them. Many Coeliacs do not react to oats in terms of feeling any physical symptoms however irreversible damage can still occur, in other words they can be toxic to people with Coeliac disease.

Recommendations in terms of Coeliacs and Oats differ by country – this means that the food standard codes differ around the world. Both Coeliac NZ and Coeliac Australia recommend that those with Coeliac disease do not consume oats. Under both countries food standards codes, oats and their products are not permitted in foods that are labelled gluten free. This is because there is currently no available test to measure the gluten protein (Avenin) in oats (the tests can only measure the protein found in wheat, rye and barley). “Avenin is an essential part of oats and will never be truly gluten free even if they are described as being gluten free” (Ceoliac NZ). Compare this to the US where oats can be marketed as “gluten free” whereas the same oats are labeled “wheat free” in NZ and Australia.

It really is a controversial subject and I could go on and on about this but instead I will just state that as a Coeliac, I choose (and advise Coeliac) not to take the risk, avoid oats and products containing oats.

But back to these kid friendly Oat Cookies…. These are so simple to make and the kids will enjoy making them too – Stella definitely did. Only a few ingredients and not much preparation involved other than measuring out the few ingredients and mashing the banana.

Unfortunately I could not taste test these cookies but Stella absolutely loved baking them  and eating them.  However, I did manage to steal a few away and freeze them – making them a quick and easy snack to grab from the freezer. These can be put straight into lunchboxes from the freezer in the mornings and by the time lunch rolls around, these should be ready to eat.

If you are Coeliac or cannot tolerate Oats, please try substituting the Oats for Quinoa flakes or Buckwheat flakes.  I think they will taste just as good and still nice and healthy!

We hope you enjoy these as much as Stella did.

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P.S If you would like to discuss your health goals, I would love to work with you one-on-one. I practice a holistic approach where I consider your individual needs related to health in terms of both nutrition and aspects of your lifestyle. We can work together and look at how all parts of your life affect your health and make sustainable changes that improve your health and happiness. Find out more.