7 Health Benefits of Oatmeal (+ Our Favorite Oatmeal Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What happens to your body if you eat oatmeal every day? ›

Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

Steel-Cut Oats

Dietitians Say: These are your best bet if you're seeking the healthiest option. Steel-cut oats are processed the least of the three oat varieties, which means they're the most beneficial for blood sugar control. Best For: Those who enjoy a more textured oatmeal with a slightly nutty flavor.

Adding nutritious toppings to oatmeal can boost its flavor and contribute to its health benefits. Try adding fruit for sweetness, veggies or eggs for a savory twist, or sources of protein and fat to make it a balanced meal.

Summary. There's good evidence that regularly eating high-quality oatmeal could help reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, and support your gut health. More processed forms of oatmeal are less healthy, and they can lead to large blood sugar rises in some people.

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.

The bottom line

Although rolled and steel-cut oats have a lower glycemic index, quick oats have a similar nutrition profile. However, packaged instant varieties can contain a lot of added sugar, so it's a good idea to choose plain, unsweetened oat varieties whenever possible.

Quinoa. With its nutty taste, quinoa can provide you with plenty of protein and flavor in an oatmeal alternative. In addition to its impressive protein content, quinoa is loaded with fiber, iron, magnesium, and folate ( 3 ). Best of all, quinoa oatmeal can be super easy to make.

Are instant oats still a healthy breakfast option? A: Absolutely! As I said, the benefits really don't differ between the three types of oats. Also, we know that there are health benefits to eating breakfast, especially when it comes to diet quality and weight management.

Think Beyond Water. For a boost of calcium and creamy flavor, make oatmeal with low-fat milk or plant-based milk instead of water. Or try making it with apple cider instead for a boost of flavor. The ratio of liquid to oats stays the same, so you can easily make this switch.

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. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.

Is it better to eat oatmeal in the morning or at night? ›

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.

Because of the fiber content, oatmeal can help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar levels and even lower high blood pressure—all of which play a significant role in minimizing risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Oats are high in soluble fiber, which is good for digestion, but it may also cause bloating, increased gas, and abdominal cramps for some people. As with other fiber-rich foods, this is more likely to happen if you aren't used to consuming a high-fiber diet.

There is no exact number of oatmeal servings that is considered too much for a healthy person. If you have chronic medical conditions that are affected by your diet, you may want to check with your medical provider on how much oatmeal is a good amount for you.

Since oatmeal is a complex carb, it's digested slower than foods containing simple carbs. However, oatmeal also contains dietary fiber, which helps with digestion and absorption. When these two factors are combined, the digestion time of oatmeal is relatively fast and takes about two to three hours.

When combined with milk or yoghurt, overnight oats can be a source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The fibre and nutrients in oats are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.