Oatmeal and porridge are basically the same thing – it's what you get when you add milk or water to oats and cook them. At Uncle Tobys we think of oatmeal as being chunkier and coarser as opposed to our Quick Oats and Sachets, which produce a creamier bowl of oats.
Porridge is a mixture of any grain, cereal, or legume boiled in water, milk, or broth. It is served hot and made from a variety of cereals such as oats, maize, rice, corn, wheat, and barley. Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from ground, rolled, or flattened oats.
Summary. Porridge and oatmeal are usually referred to as oatmeal; however, the term porridge includes whole grains, cereals, and vegetables. Compared to the original Cream of Wheat, oatmeal is richer in all macronutrients, calories, vitamins, and minerals.
Oatmeal can be made into a type of porridge, and the two terms are often used interchangeably because oatmeal is so commonly used.
Porridge is basically any grain—be it oats, corn, even rice—that is cooked and boiled in water or milk until it has that creamy, thick consistency that we all know as, well, porridge.
Oatmeal and porridge are basically the same thing – it's what you get when you add milk or water to oats and cook them. At Uncle Tobys we think of oatmeal as being chunkier and coarser as opposed to our Quick Oats and Sachets, which produce a creamier bowl of oats.
Most porridge oats we come across in the shops are rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats. These are oat groats, softened by steaming and then rolled into flakes. They absorb liquid quickly so the cooking time is reduced to 5-10 minutes when making porridge or they can be eaten without cooking for more texture.
Quinoa is a great oatmeal alternative as it has rich protein and fiber contents, which help keep you satiated and slow the rise of your blood sugar post-meal. One cup of cooked quinoa packs about 40 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of healthy fats.
6. Oatmeal is very filling and may help you lose weight. Not only is oatmeal (porridge) a delicious breakfast food, it's also very filling ( 13 ). Eating filling foods may help you eat fewer calories and lose weight.
Robust, jumbo oats work best for this method. If you don't fancy something hot or want to eat on the go, a bircher is a satisfying alternative to traditional porridge. It will still take around five minutes to make as the jumbo oats are soaked in juice, but if you make a batch, it'll keep in the fridge for a few days.
As you can see below, they both have similar amounts of protein, carbohydrate and dietary fibre. The only major difference is oats have more fat and slightly more calories. Additional point: - Be cautious of flavoured oats, they have slightly less protein and can have up 24 x the amount of sugar.
BHF dietitian Victoria Taylor says:
Regardless of the type, shape or size, all porridge oats are wholegrains and they all contain a soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which can help lower your cholesterol level if you have 3g or more of it daily, as part of a healthy diet.
Groats are the purest form of oatmeal. They are made from hulled grains, which are then toasted to make them more edible. Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact.
The bottom line is that overnight oats are better than regular oats nutritionally and even otherwise. But what about taste? Some people say that soaking oats overnight gives them a chewy texture which makes breakfast more fun versus regular oats which taste more like porridge.
Overnight oats are porridge oats that have been soaked overnight in the fridge. They absorb quite a lot of the liquid so have the consistency of a really smooth porridge. This breakfast is relatively high in fibre and protein which will help keep you filled up.
Porridge also has the advantage of containing soluble fibre, which supports good gut and heart health. Now, if we compare this to two slices of wholegrain toast, we're also looking at around 30g of carbohydrates. This is elevated if you choose a bagel, which provides around 50g.
There are a few advantages to making porridge with water, with the most obvious one being that it is lower in calories and fat. Cow's Milk is actually very high in calories, so even the small amount of milk you use in porridge can contain a significant amount of calories.
Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
It can help regulate blood sugar, thanks to the moderate to high fiber content and lower glycemic index. It's heart-healthy due to its soluble fiber content and the fact it can lower cholesterol. It may reduce the need for insulin injections when eaten in place of other carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods.
Eggs = More Protein
According to USDA, a breakfast with 2 medium eggs will yield approximately 13g Protein and 1.1g Carbs whereas a bowl of oatmeal will give you 2.4 g Protein and 12g Carbs. So if Protein is your priority for breakfast then the clear choice is Eggs.
Millet. Naturally gluten-free and rich in vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and folate, millet may be the most nutritious substitute for oatmeal ( 2 ).
Both rolled oats and quick oats are versatile, affordable and highly nutritious sources of whole grains. Rolled oats tend to be slightly higher in nutrients like fibre and protein, and have a slightly lower glycemic index compared to quick oats. This is due to the higher amounts of processing that quick oats undergo.
Though raw oats are safe to eat, it's recommended to soak them in water, juice, milk, or a nondairy milk alternative to avoid some unwanted side effects. Eating dry raw oats could lead them to build up in your stomach or intestines, resulting in indigestion or constipation.
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.