Who likes oatmeal? I confess that I haven’t always like oatmeal. Mainly because the texture always seemed too thick and gloppy.
But because oatmeal is so healthy, I knew I had to figure out a way to make it that was not only edible, but actually yummy!
There are several kinds of oatmeal – steel cut, rolled, and quick-cooking oats. All of them have a slightly different texture, cooking time, and flavor. My favorite of these is quick-cooking oats. I realize they are more processed, but I prefer the flavor and texture, and they still have numerous health benefits.
And I like to eat both sweet and savory oatmeal! If you’ve never tried savory oatmeal, you’re in for a treat! Keep reading for some recipe ideas below.
So, what makes oatmeal so healthy? Here are just a few reasons to add humble oats to your healthy eating repertoire:
1. It Can Help Stabilize Blood Sugar
Oats are in the whole grain family, and they are considered a complex carbohydrate. It takes your body longer to break down complex carbs, so they are considered slow burning carbohydrates. This means that you will feel fuller longer, and they will not cause your blood sugar to spike. This makes oatmeal a wonderful choice for breakfast to keep you satisfied all morning long!
2. It Can Help you Stay Regular
Americans don’t get nearly enough fiber in the standard American diet. Oatmeal contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are extremely important for overall health. One cup of oatmeal can contain up to 4g of fiber. Just imagine fiber being a tiny broom that whisks away old debris and food particles from your small intestines. We don’t want that stuff fermenting or putrefying in our guts (yuck!). Foods like oatmeal can help you clean out your colon and maintain a healthy gut!
3. It Can Help Lower Cholesterol
Because oatmeal is so high in fiber, it can help lower your cholesterol levels. Fiber helps to reduce the absorption of bad cholesterol from entering your blood stream by binding to it and eliminating it when you go to the bathroom. Adding oatmeal to your diet can help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels!
4. It Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Weight
Because oatmeal is a complex carb and full of fiber, you’re likely to feel fuller longer after consuming it. It can help curb your cravings for unhealthy food and keep your metabolism humming throughout the day, thereby reducing your overall caloric intake. Oatmeal can be an incredibly important part of losing or maintaining your weight.
5. It Can Help Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer
As we’ve already mentioned, oatmeal is full of fiber, which is a boon for maintaining a healthy colon. Fiber is essential for whisking away old food matter and toxins from the body, which is critical for protecting the body against certain cancers, such as colon cancer. The more fiber you can eat, the better it is for you! Oatmeal is also rich in beta glucan, which are natural sugars found on the cell walls of certain plants (such as oats) that studies show are highly protective against cancer!
Again, you can get all these benefits from all forms of oatmeal! Simply give each one a try to see which you like best, and experiment with different recipes to jazz it up! Below are a few ideas to help you get started incorporating this inexpensive superfood into your diet!
