Oatmeal is the processed golden child of the nutrition world.Gasp!
Did we just say processed and nutrition in the same sentence?
Oh, yes we did!
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Getting to know your way around your oat options is well worth the next few minutes of your time.
With its high levels of fiber and protein, oatmeal is aweight loss superheroin any form.
Plus, it’s proven to lower your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind of cholesterol).
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But the different processing techniques leave certain types of oatmealslightlybetter than others for your health.
Swapping out your oats for a healthier version is such an easy exchange to improve your overall health.
They are simply whole oat groats cut into smaller piecesthat’s it!
What does this mean?
In terms of health, this is amazing news.
Steel cut oats preserve all the nutrient goodness of whole groats, leaving this oatmeal with highfiberand protein counts.
This will provide you with the kind of lasting energy we like to see in a good breakfast.
So, basically, steel cut oats are the opposite of that mess.
This means you get hungrier, faster."
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They’ll keep your tummy full, your energy consistent, and your weight loss rolling.
Tip:Steel cut oats are not great for baking due to their rough texture.
Like steel cut oats, they are minimally processed.
When cooked, this oatmeal turns out way more creamy and less chewy than steel cut oats.
So, why are these thesecondbest option?
Plus, it makes the actual oat pieces much smaller.
This is great for cooking time (Scottish oats cook about ten minutes quicker than steel cut oats!
), but not great for that oh-so-important fullness factor.
Your body will digest these small oats much quicker than traditional cut oats, making you hungry more quickly!
Sounds great, right?
Well, they’re notperfect.
On paper, rolled oats and steel cut oats look virtually interchangeable in terms of nutrition.
Overnight oats are all the rage these days for their convenience and taste factor.
Steel cut and Scottish oats will remain crunchy even after soaking for several days!
We’re getting more and more processed as we go.
Quick cooking oatmeal is like rolled oats except even more processed.
The oats are steamed for longer and rolled thinner.
The result is a more flaky, more creamy oatmeal that cooksmuchquicker since it’s almost fully cooked.
But if you’ve been paying attention, you know faster is not always better!
This oatmeal has a GI of about 66, while regular rolled oats are slightly lower at 55.
In general, 55 and lower on the glycemic index is recommended for sustained energy and increased fat burn.
Plus, it’s an easy breakfast switch to keep youslimand fit in the long run.
Tip:Due to their fast cooking time, quick oatmeal is super versatile.
Plus, its awesome nutrition profile makes it easy for you tolose weight with oatmeal.
That was until you found yourself exhausted and reaching for another cup of coffee about two hours later.
Instant oats (Quaker is a great example) are the most processed form of oats.
They’re steamed until they are fully cooked, rolled even thinner, then dehydrated.
But the worst part?
The result is a sugar rush-and-crash, which will leave you ravenous and tired.
