With so many types of oats, how do you know which to choose? Honestly, not, all oats are healthy. But if you want to get technical, Oat Groats remain the healthiest because they're the purest form of the whole oat you can eat. They're the least processed and contain the most nutrition.
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.
Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.
Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.
Porridge is our top choice for a heart healthy breakfast – when it is made with low-fat milk or water and unsweetened. 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.
If you want to lose weight, you can include oats water in your diet as it helps in reducing belly fat rapidly. Oats water is rich in fibre, which keeps the stomach full for a long time. Consuming oats water on an empty stomach in the morning controls appetite, which helps in weight loss in longer run.
Oatmeal and Wheat: Try Whole Grains for Breakfast
Oats also absorb stomach acid and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For something sweet, top your oatmeal with bananas, apples or pears. The fructose in these fruits is less likely to trigger acid reflux than other sugars.
Oatmeals have a low glycemic index of about 55. It means that consuming oatmeal does not cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. In addition, oatmeals are high in fibre content and help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and fulfil the daily ideal fibre intake.
Metric per metric, rolled oats and steel cut oats are almost the same when it comes to nutritional value. However, steel cut oats beat out rolled oats in two areas, fiber content and density, which make steel cut oats the best bang for your nutritional buck.
Rolled oats and steel-cut oats are two minimally processed forms of oats. They have similar nutritional values and health benefits. Steel-cut oats may take longer to digest and therefore help a person feel full for longer. They also have a slightly lower impact on blood sugar.
Eating oatmeal for breakfast has been linked to weight loss, better nutrient intake, and lower risk for conditions such as diabetes. Oatmeal has soluble fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal may have some advantages over eggs for breakfast, but research studies have conflicting results.
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.
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.
Along with these positive benefits, research shows this popular breakfast can even support weight-loss and weight-management efforts. According to a 2021 review published in Foods, oat beta-glucan has positive effects on hyperglycemia, lowering blood lipid levels and reducing weight.
Although porridge is good for you and your health, you need to make sure you have a reasonable amount in your bowl. You should not deviate from the recommended 50 grams of oatmeal per serving if you want to get slim.
Yogurt is known for its high protein, calcium and probiotic contents, so it's likely better than oatmeal at encouraging weight loss through a high-protein diet, staving off osteoporosis, improving bone density and treating or preventing digestive issues.
The oats have a high glycaemic index (GI), while All Bran has a low-GI, so from both the GI and the energy content point of view All Bran may be a better choice. Dietary fibre content does contribute to the energy content of a food, but the energy content of the All Bran flakes already makes provision for this.
Oat bran is a better source of protein, B vitamins, iron and soluble fiber compared to oatmeal. The fiber in oat bran fills you up and can keep you feeling fuller longer. It is also more efficient at lowering cholesterol and slowing down fat and sugar absorption.
A good meal in the morning is one that is higher in protein and lower in sugary carbs or mainly carbs. So eggs or salmon is good in the morning with fruit or vegetables. Some good fats such as avocado, almond milk, and nuts can also be beneficial.