When it comes to breakfast, oatmeal makes one of the most preferred choices for many people. It comprises oats and a liquid, like water, plant-based milk, or cow’s milk. Oatmeal is considered to be full of nutrients and fiber. It is one of the most nutritious whole-grain foods safe for consumption for all.
Here’s everything to know about oatmeal and how you can add it to your daily diet.
Types of Oatmeal
Instant Oats
Instant oats are oat groats that are steamed and flaked.
Rolled Oats
They are also referred to as regular oats. They are thicker than instant oats and take longer to cook.
Irish Oats
Irish oats or steel-cut oats are whole oats, including kernel and cut-up. They also take a long time to cook and are a healthy alternative that keeps you full for long.
Scottish Oats
Scottish oats are similar to Irish oats. The only difference is that they are ground, not cut.
Oat Groats
Oat groats are the whole oat kernels. They do not involve cutting, flaking, or grinding and take longer to cook than other oats. They must be boiled first.
What are the Health Benefits of Oatmeal?
When you consume oatmeal regularly, expect the following health benefits.
Lowered Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels
Oatmeal is known to be a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fibers help lower your cholesterol, thus keeping glucose levels in check. The fiber content in this ingredient also helps maintain gut health by promoting the growth of good bacterial colonies.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Do you know eating oatmeal regulates your blood pressure? They contain antioxidants known as avenanthramides that protect against coronary heart diseases and high blood pressure. These antioxidants also boost your immune system by fighting off infections.
Weight Management
If you want to keep your weight in check, oatmeal is the recipe to rely on. Oatmeal is an excellent source of protein and fiber that makes you feel full for a longer time. You do not experience pangs of hunger when you consume it during your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Good Source of Nutrition
The nutritional value of oatmeal is high. Thus, it makes this ingredient a healthy breakfast staple. It is said that one cup of cooked oatmeal offers you 150 calories. It contains many nutrients such as vitamins and minerals like magnesium, thiamine, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, iron, etc.
Oatmeal is Gluten-Free
If you are highly conscious about your diet, adding oatmeal to it is highly recommended. Oatmeal is gluten-free. All you need to do is to be careful about its composition. Read the label carefully to buy the best product.
Keeps Liver Healthy
Oatmeal is good for liver health. According to many studies, it helps in longevity and lowers the risk of heart disease, autoimmune disease, and weight gain.
A Good Source of Skincare
This ingredient is one of the best sources of skincare that may help with dryness, irritation, and itching caused by eczema and other skin disorders. Considering the benefits of oatmeal for skin, many brands and products use it in their composition. Even the FDA has approved colloidal oatmeal for the protection of skin.
Cuts the Child’s Risk of Asthma
Many studies have supported the claim that oatmeal decreases children’s risk of asthma. According to them, introducing oats to infants before six months of age may reduce the risk of developing childhood asthma.
No More Constipation
According to many studies, oat bran is a fiber-rich outer layer of this grain that helps relieve constipation in adults, especially the elderly.
How to Prepare Oatmeal?
Preparing oatmeal for your mealtime is no rocket science. All you need to do is mix two and a half cups of water and some salt in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to high to let the water boil. Once boiled, add a cup of rolled oats. Keep stirring the preparation and cook it for 5 minutes until the oats absorb water.
Your oatmeal breakfast is ready. You may use the toppings of your choice and savor this easy-peasy recipe.
What Toppings Can I Use for My Oatmeal Breakfast?
Your bowl of oatmeal becomes ten times tastier when you add toppings to it. You can try the options like ginger, cinnamon, and even pumpkin pie spice. Another idea for toppings is some butter. You can take anything – almond butter or peanut butter and add it to the top of your bowl. Sprinkle walnuts or any other nuts of your choice. This preparation becomes more delicious when you add some frozen berries to eat.
Oatmeal Recipes to Try
Oatmeal has a great flavor of its own, but if you are tired of eating plain oatmeal, here are a few ideas to try.
- You can experiment with baking oatmeal, and the result will be a cakelike texture. Consume it as a breakfast, and you will keep talking about it throughout the day.
- Many people like eating overnight oats. You can soak oatmeal in milk or yogurt and store it in the fridge. The next morning you get a creamy oatmeal breakfast.
- You can also drink oatmeal by making an oatmeal smoothie. The process is quick and hassle-free. All you need to do is add some rolled oats to the blender. Put all your smoothie essentials such as fruits, nuts, and sweeteners like sugar or honey. Blend the mixture and voila, an oatmeal smoothie is ready to drink.
Other Oatmeal Ideas to Experiment With
- If you want more flavor and texture to your oatmeal recipe, add unsweetened coconut, sliced almonds, or chopped cashews to it.
- Adding chopped dates, applesauce, or dried cranberries provide a natural sweetness to the bowl of oatmeal.
- Oatmeal and Greek yogurt is an awesome combination that tempts your taste buds like nothing else.
- You can also add a few vanilla extract drops, chocolate sauce, cocoa powder, and nuts to make the bowl healthy and tasty.
Oatmeal is healthy, tasty, and versatile. The numerous health benefits that it offers are convincing enough to add it to your daily diet. Why wait? Try the above-listed oatmeal recipes and ideas and stay healthy.
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