Lately, exotic grains like quinoa, freekeh and spelt have gotten a lot of attention. (Psst—this is the right way to say quinoa.) But let’s not forget about oatmeal, the easy-to-pronounce breakfast staple that’s just as nutritious.
In 1877, Quaker Oats was registered as the first trademark for breakfast cereal. Since then our love for oatmeal has not slowed down. In fact, if you search #oats and #oatmeal on Instagram, you will find that there are more than five million posts tagged. The images range from quick breakfast recipes to desserts and even savoury dishes.
Don’t let trendy exotic grains trip you up; oats are still wildly popular because they’re versatile, inexpensive, packed with nutrition.
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A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that oats help stave off hunger. Study participants experienced longer periods of fullness compared to a breakfast of ready-to-eat cereal with the same calories.
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Oats can act as probiotics, which help feed the growth of helpful bacteria in our gut. These healthy bacteria can help boost the immune system and promote gastrointestinal health, especially in people with GI disorders. Find out 10 more easy ways to improve gut health.
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The soluble fibre in oats creates a gel when it comes in contact with water, which helps guard against constipation and diarrhea. To help relieve constipation, increase fibre intake slowly so that you will avoid bloating, gas and diarrhea.
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The high fibre in oats helps slow down the rate that carbs are absorbed into the blood. That’s good new for people with diabetes, since this high-carb food won’t cause blood sugar to spike the same way refined carbs can.
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Polyphenols in oats are antioxidants that can help slow the aging process by protecting cells from damage.
7 / 8Including whole grains as part of a healthy diet is just one way foods can help reduce blood pressure, which is important because high blood pressure can lead to strokes.
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Studies have shown that oats can help to lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and may also boost levels of HDL cholesterol (the good, protective kind). If this is something you’re monitoring, make sure you avoid the 10 worst foods for cholesterol.
When it comes down to it, don’t let the hype around “new” ancient grains keep you from good old oats. That humble bowl of oatmeal that our grandparents ate for breakfast every day was a superfood long before superfoods were a thing!
Now that you’re familiar with the benefits of oatmeal, find out the 50 best foods for your heart.