The Six Benefits of Eating Oatmeal
Eating a bowl of oatmeal each morning is the perfect way to
start your day off right. This article will explain the six
benefits of eating oatmeal and ways to make it taste delicious.
First off, the oatmeal discussed here is not the instant kind
that comes in the different flavors- these are full of sugar.
The real stuff is the plain oat flakes from Quaker Oats or a
similar brand.
The benefits of oatmeal are due to the fact that it's made from
oats and oats are a good source of both soluble and insoluble
fiber.
According to the American Cancer Society:
1. Insoluble fiber's cancer-fighting properties are due to the
fact that it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their
toxicity.
2. Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL
cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is good.
3. Soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch. This may be
beneficial to diabetics because, when you slow down the
digestion of starch, you avoid the sharp rises in your blood
sugar level that usually occurs following a meal.
4. It has been found that those who eat more oats are less
likely to develop heart disease, a disease that is currently
widespread in the United States.
5. The phytochemicals in oat may also have cancer-fighting
properties.
6. Oats are a good source of many nutrients including vitamin E,
zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are
also a good source of protein.
The difference between insoluble and soluble fiber, besides the
foods that they come from, is what they do in your body.
Insoluble fiber's main role is that it makes stools heavier and
speeds their passage through the gut, relieving constipation.
Soluble fiber breaks down as it passes through the digestive
tract, forming a gel that traps some substances related to high
cholesterol, thus reducing the absorption of cholesterol into
the bloodstream.
Oatmeal has a pretty bland taste which makes it hard for the
average person to consume every morning. Here are ways you can
make it taste better.
1. Make the oatmeal with milk instead of water. This will also
add calcium and more protein.
2. Add Stevia powder to the oatmeal. It will naturally sweeten
up the taste without adding sugar.
3. Stir in your favorite-flavored protein powder to it after
it's been cooked. This gives the oatmeal a pretty good taste
plus it adds protein. Combine this with using milk and you'll
have a meal that is high in fiber, calcium and protein!
4. Add fruit such as blueberries to the oatmeal.
You should aim to eat roughly 1 cooked cup of oatmeal each
morning for optimal health benefits. And play around with the
above preparation suggestions until you find a taste that you
fall in love with.
Your heart and body will thank you for it!