Why is it important to care for your heart?
Heart conditions are a problem for many Australians and their families. There is no single cause for any one heart condition and there are various risk factors that increase your chance of developing one including having high cholesterol levels and eating an unhealthy diet.
Nourish your heart with heart-healthy foods
A Heart-Healthy Eating Pattern includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. As part of this balanced approach, whole grain foods like UNCLE TOBYS rolled oats, can play a role in lowering cholesterol. That’s because they contain beta-glucan, a particular type of fibre that helps reduce cholesterol levels when eaten regularly.
Every serve of UNCLE TOBYS Traditional Rolled Oats and UNCLE TOBYS Quick Rolled Oats contains 1.6g beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat. To get those cholesterol lowering benefits, 2 servings of UNCLE TOBYS oats (3g of beta-glucan) each day is required. A simple way to get there is with delicious oat-based recipes.
UNCLE TOBYS and The Heart Foundation partnership
For more than 60 years, the Heart Foundation has been the peak body working to improve heart health, detection and support for all Australians. UNCLE TOBYS and the Heart Foundation have partnered to inspire Australians to enjoy rolled oats as part of a heart-healthy eating pattern, making it easier to help manage cholesterol and support heart health.
Together, we want to encourage more people to take action to manage their heart health.
Never miss a BEAT this Heart Week
This Heart Week (4–10 May), UNCLE TOBYS is putting a spotlight on Gen Z heart health after new survey data revealed only 14% of Gen Z1 are prioritising heart health and cholesterol as a top health priority.
Gen Z are the least likely2 generation to take preventative steps to support their future health and wellbeing (25%, compared with 36% of Millennials, 37% of Gen X and 45% of Baby Boomers). Encouragingly, nearly two-thirds (64%) say they’re willing to make small, lifestyle-fit changes to support their health3.
To help make those changes easier, UNCLE TOBYS has teamed up with breakfast-culture icon Breakfast Shirts, launching a limited-edition shirt designed to keep heart health front of mind – right when you’re pouring your morning bowl - with all proceeds donated to the Heart Foundation.
Heart disease remains the second biggest killer in Australia4, despite many cases being preventable. The Heart Foundation recommends simple steps to support heart health, like eating oats for breakfast.
UNCLE TOBYS Marketing Manager Kimberley Finsten said, “Oats are naturally good for your heart, thanks to beta-glucan, a fibre that helps lower cholesterol5. Heart Week is a great reminder that something as simple as choosing heart healthy options as part of your breakfast routine, can help set you up for the long term.”
Heart Foundation Senior Manager of Healthcare Programs Natalie Raffoul, said “Prioritising heart health doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s about simple, sustainable habits you can fit into everyday life - like moving more, eating well and knowing your numbers.6”
The Heart Foundation recommends simple steps to support heart health:
- Move more every day: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking.
- Include strength-based workouts: Strength or resistance training can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Follow a heart-healthy eating pattern: Choose a wide variety of foods, rich in wholegrains, fibre, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Starting the day with a bowl of oats is an easy win.
- Know your numbers: Being aware of key health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can help detect heart disease early.
UNCLE TOBYS x Breakfast Shirts limited-edition shirts are available from 4 May at breakfastshirts.com. Heart Week is Australia’s national heart health awareness campaign and runs from 4–10 May 2026. To find out more visit heartfoundation.org.au/heart-week
The Importance of Rolled Oats
30% of Australians are living with high cholesterol. **
We are on a mission to inspire Australians about how rolled oats are a heart-healthy food, as part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. By partnering with the Heart Foundation, we can inspire more Australians to manage their cholesterol.
Boost your breakfast with oats
Add oats into your morning routine, small changes to your meals or snacks can have an impact on your heart health. Add it to breakfast granola or your regular muesli. Our favourite way to enjoy Oats is hot as porridge or cold as overnight oats.
The Heart Foundations heart-healthy eating pattern
A heart-healthy eating pattern is based on a combination of foods chosen regularly over time. The five steps of a heart-healthy eating pattern are:
For more heart health information visit heartfoundation.org.au
To start making healthier food choices, check out these recipes by the Heart Foundation
Grab and go overnight oats
Apple and honey nut crumble porridge
Useful Links
Take care of your heart health with the Heart Foundation
- Is your heart feeling your age? It only takes 3 minutes to find out with the Heart Age Calculator
- Walk your way with a free Personal Walking Plan
- Join MyHeart MyLife your next step towards recovery and living well with heart disease
Sources: *Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Hospital, Principal diagnosis data cubes, Nov 2024, Web Report, AIHW, Australian Government
**Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Measures Survey Canberra ABS; 2022-24
1 YouGov UNCLE TOBYS Heart Health Research, conducted on 16th April 2026, sample size was 1020 adults. The survey was carried out online, the figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+)
2 YouGov UNCLE TOBYS Heart Health Research, April 2026
3 YouGov UNCLE TOBYS Heart Health Research, April 2026
4 Australian Bureau of Statistics and Heart Research Australia
5 2 servings of UNCLE TOBYS Oats (3g of beta-glucan) daily helps lower cholesterol with a healthy, low saturated fat diet.
6 This Heart Week the Heart Foundation is encouraging people to start a conversation about heart health - if you're 45 years and over, book in a 20min Medicare Heart Health Check with your GP.