England bowler Matty Potts got some friendly stick when he turned up for a shoot with what Ben Stokes described as "his bloody ginormous family sized bowl of oats"!
Jason Roy had one word for Matty: "Gruel!"
Like all of our athletes at Delta Hotels by Marriott Worsley Park, Matty was checking wrappers and packets for nutrition information.
Because, like our host JCC said: "It's 365 days a year, isn't it? You're always on."
And for all the banter that came his way, Matty clearly knows what he's doing.
So let's hear it for the oats...
The science behind the spoon
Oats are one of the most complete performance foods around — a balance of carbohydrates, fibre, protein, and micronutrients that deliver steady energy without spikes or crashes.
Here's what Dr. John Brewer, a professor of Applied Sports Science, says:
“For endurance and intermittent sports like cricket, oats provide slow-release energy that maintains blood glucose levels for hours. They also contain beta-glucans, which support heart health and recovery.”
Oats are rich in B vitamins, magnesium, and iron, helping with red blood cell production and energy metabolism — crucial during heavy training periods.
Here's sports nutritionist Anita Bean:
“They’re incredibly versatile," she says. "Whether eaten before training or as part of recovery, oats provide both the energy to perform and the nutrients to rebuild.”
Real benefits for real athletes
1. Slow-release carbs — keeping you energised through long sessions or early starts
2. Fibre for gut health — important for nutrient absorption and immune support
3. Plant-based protein — aiding muscle recovery and helping meet daily protein targets
4. Micronutrients — zinc and magnesium assist with muscle repair and sleep quality
5. Satiety — oats fill you up without feeling heavy, ideal for maintaining stable body composition
How to eat like Matty Potts
1. Overnight oats: soak oats in milk or a dairy-free alternative overnight, add fruit, seeds, and a scoop of protein powder. It's great pre-training or travel fuel
2. Matchday porridge: oats, water, honey, and a pinch of salt - topped with banana for potassium and slow carbs
3. Oat smoothie: blend oats, Greek yoghurt, berries, and almond butter for a quick recovery shake
4. Baked oat bars: mix oats with mashed banana, peanut butter, and dark chocolate chips - bake and cut into bars for mid-session fuel
The bottom line
Call it gruel if you want - but for athletes chasing marginal gains, oats are one of the best-value, most-effective fuels out there.
They’re cheap, clean, versatile, and proven to work.
So here’s to Matty and his “ginormous bowl of oats” — because sometimes, the smartest nutrition move is the simplest one!
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