Oatmeal is a breakfast cereal prepared with oats and a liquid such as milk or water. As health trends come and go, many foods come and go in popularity. This isn’t oatmeal. For decades, this whole-grain powerhouse has packed significant nutrients and hearty taste into breakfast. It’s one of the few comfort meals that are both beneficial for you and delicious. It also helps in weight loss.
Be selective if you want to get the most out of this superfood.
Some quick oatmeal packages, for example, are high in salt and heavy in sugar (up to 8 tablespoons per serving). Always read the label to be sure you’re receiving what you paid for. However, an Oatmeal Quaker is the best so start your day on a healthy note by having oatmeal.
Plain rolled oats or steel-cut oats are boiled in a little water or milk and topped with nutritious toppings to make great oatmeal. It’s a nice way to start the day, and if you make it a habit, it can help your health.
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, seek certified gluten-free oats. Though oats do not contain gluten, they can get contaminated with gluten during processing or growth.
Benefits of Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is well-known for its ability to reduce harmful cholesterol (LDL). That’s because of beta-glucan, a form of soluble fiber.
According to studies, eating oats is associated with a 7% reduction in LDL cholesterol. Many other factors influence heart health (such as what else you eat, how active you are, and whether or not you smoke), but oatmeal is a good place to start. Oatmeal is also good for:
- Blood sugar levels are reduced.
- Antioxidants are present.
- Promotes the growth of good bacteria in your stomach.
- Aids with weight management by making you feel full.
- Constipation is relieved.
- Itching and irritation of the skin are relieved.
- Reduces the risk of colon cancer
Types of Oatmeal:
You’ll find a variety of oats on store shelves when you go out shopping. They’re all made with “oat groats,” or the entire oat kernel.
Oat groats that have been cooked and flakes are known as instant oats.
Oat groats that have been steamed and rolled into flakes that are thicker (and so require longer to cook) than quick oats (also known as normal or old-fashioned oats).
Steel-cut oats (also known as Irish oats) are entire oat kernels that have been chopped apart.
Scottish oats are similar to steel-cut oats, except they are ground rather than chopped.
Oat groats are the entire oat kernel, without any cuts, flakes, or grinding. They take a little longer to cook than other types of oats. After bringing the water to a boil, cook them for 50–60 minutes.
Oatmeal can be prepared on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker. Also popular are “Overnight Oats.” Oats that have been soaked overnight in a liquid such as milk or yogurt.
