The #1 Best Oatmeal to Eat, According to a Dietitian — Eat This Not That (2024)

FAQs

What is the best and healthiest oatmeal to eat? ›

Oat Groats

Groats are the purest form of oatmeal. They are made from hulled grains, which are then toasted to make them more edible. Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact.

Choose old-fashioned or steel-cut oats. These choices contain a higher amount of soluble fiber, which helps better regulate blood sugar and are minimally processed to slow digestion.

There aren't any major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. All forms of oats are 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber and have the same nutritional information – same calories, fiber and protein per serving.

The Bottom Line. Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

No More Worrying about Calories

Now the scale looked a lot less menacing. A cup of oats delivered 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber to help lower body weight, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It also provided health-building minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium.

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

Whole-grain oats: Best bet for lowering cholesterol.

Quinoa is a great oatmeal alternative as it has rich protein and fiber contents, which help keep you satiated and slow the rise of your blood sugar post-meal. One cup of cooked quinoa packs about 40 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of healthy fats.

What is a good replacement for oatmeal? ›

In fact, in the USDA nutrient database, instant oatmeal possesses the same nutritional profile as regular or quick-cooking oatmeal. The only difference lies in the glycemic index, which is a measurement of how quickly a food increases your blood sugar within a two-hour period.

One of the healthiest instant oatmeals out there with no added sugars, colors, or artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. At only 100 calories and loaded with heart healthy whole oats and fiber, it's great to eat a few times a week to make weight loss goals. It's also very quick and easy to make for breakfast.

Many people with celiac disease are told to avoid eating oats because they might be contaminated with wheat, rye, or barley, which contain gluten. But in people who haven't had any symptoms for at least 6 months, eating moderate amounts of pure, non-contaminated oats seems to be safe.

"Although oatmeal helps promote weight loss by suppressing your appetite, too much of it can lead to malnutrition and muscle mass shedding," says Dr. Eng Cern. "This is because oatmeals keep you fuller for longer, so you often lose your body's ability to signal you to eat more throughout the day.

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day actually improves heart health. As with anything, moderation is important, especially if you enjoy eggs daily.

Peanut butter is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Consuming oats everyday will help in stabilizing blood sugar and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Beta-glucans in oats are also found to reduce blood sugar spikes and keep your blood sugar level stable.

Should I eat oatmeal at night? ›

Oatmeal is one of the best foods to help get your body ready for bed. It's full of melatonin, the sleep hormone and its complex carbohydrates will help get the boosted tryptophan to the brain.

There's no best time to eat eggs. Some people prefer to eat eggs for breakfast because they are a good source of protein and can help to regulate blood sugar levels. Others prefer to eat them later in the day or as part of a post-workout meal because they are a good source of protein and can help to boost metabolism.

Eating oatmeal first thing in the morning or on an empty stomach has several advantages. First it provides a coating on the lining of the stomach which prevents irritation from your bodies naturally occuring hydrochloric acid (HCL). Oatmeal also contains soluble fiber which aids in digestion and lowers cholesterol.

When making your oatmeal, the recommended serving size is 1/2 cup. For breakfast and lunch, oatmeal is your main entrée. It does allow for a small amount of skim milk and some fruit to be added or eaten on the side, as well as low-fat yogurt. Cinnamon is also a great addition for flavor.

Here are some of the best instant oatmeal brands you can get today. These rolled oats from Nature's Path are great because they don't contain guar gum, a thickening filler used by other oatmeal brands. Quaker Oats is one of the most popular oatmeal brands out there, and for good reason.

Oats refer to whole grain oats which are cylindrical in shape and are in raw and unprocessed form. They are often fed to livestock. Oatmeal is typically rolled oats and is cut thinly so that they can be cooked within a few minutes.

There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

But besides just being an Instagram-worthy bowl of goodness, oatmeal offers a particularly impressive benefit. Eating just one and one-half cups of cooked oatmeal a day can lower your cholesterol by 5 to 8%. Oatmeal contains soluble and insoluble fiber – two types that your body needs.

6. Oats. Oats significantly improved blood cholesterol levels over a period of 4 weeks in a small 2017 study . Participants with mildly elevated cholesterol levels ate 70 g of oats per day in the form of porridge.

Are Cheerios as good for you as oatmeal? ›

A bowl of Cheerios has more fiber (4 grams) than a packet of instant oatmeal (3 g), though both are made of whole oats. Just like oatmeal, whole-oat cold cereals whittle down your LDL cholesterol because they contain beta-glucans--soluble dietary fiber that traps cholesterol-laden bile in your intestines.

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.

Fresh Fruit

Bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, melons, apples, peaches and pears are all tasty and healthy fruits you can mix with oatmeal for added sweetness. Most fruit is rich in vitamin C, fiber and other essential nutrients.

Eggs = More Protein

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.

Steel-cut oats are best for type 2 diabetes because they are the least-processed version of oat groats. “Rolled oats have a higher GI than steel-cut oats as they actually have been partially cooked, making them increase your blood sugar faster,” says Kaufman.

Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.

Grapes are adored, nourishing fruits and are safe for diabetics. People can eat them and add them to their diabetic diets as they do not harm or spike glucose levels. Consuming grapes help to reduce the susceptibility to developing type 2 diabetes.

"Oat groats are the healthiest way to eat oats. Quick oats, rolled oats and steel-cut oats all start out as oat groats," says Gentile. "Oat groats are whole oat kernels that have been cleaned and treated with heat and moisture. This increases shelf life, flavor development, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity.

Let's cut to the chase: Yes, oatmeal is good for you, despite what anyone with a fear of carbs will tell you. As a great source of whole grains, oats contain a heart-protective starch called beta-glucan that can help lower high cholesterol and potentially help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Is Quaker oats oatmeal healthy? ›

One of the healthiest instant oatmeals out there with no added sugars, colors, or artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. At only 100 calories and loaded with heart healthy whole oats and fiber, it's great to eat a few times a week to make weight loss goals.

Millet. Naturally gluten-free and rich in vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and folate, millet may be the most nutritious substitute for oatmeal ( 2 ).

Although, whole, steel-cut, and rolled oats should all be sugar and additive-free it's always a good idea to double-check the label. Instant or quick oats, on the other hand, often have added sugar and other artificial flavoring added to them.