The Goodness of Oats
Oats is widely accepted as being healthy and providing great health benefits for those who consume it on a regular basis. If you are someone who is working hard on reducing your weight, this great ingredient can make it ever easier to accomplish your arduous mission. Many recent studies have shown that oats contain soluble fiber which absorbs a significant amount of water to reduce the process of digestion to a great extent. In other words, having oats increases your satiety or your feeling of “fullness”. The end result is that you feel full a lot longer and thereby less tempted to eat more than is necessary. Oats are also proven to be very good for heart health as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, folate and potassium. These essential minerals and fatty acids can help in the reduction of LDL (or bad) cholesterol to clear arteries and help maintain a healthy heart.
Oats come in many different forms. So, it is essential to know the basic differences between some of the main forms. The ‘bran” or the outer layer of the oat grain is where much of the fiber and nutrients are stored. Then there are “whole oats” which is something we don’t need to worry as they are used as animal fodder and are not meant for human consumption. Oat Groats, which are similar to whole oats with only the hard hull removed, are still not suited for us. The most nutritious form of oats is the “Steel-cut” oats (the cut version of oats groats). This is due the fact that they are unprocessed at this form. Rolled oats are more popular and range from less to more processed. Quick oats, instant oats and oats flour are the more processed types and are made so to enable simpler and faster cooking. With so many varieties to choose from, you must be thinking, ‘which one of the oats should I choose?” Well, the choice is yours! You could choose one of the varieties based on your needs. If you are super busy and feel that you won’t have enough time and energy to spend on cooking, choose quick oats or instant oats to make your life healthier and easier. But if you feel your body requires plenty of fiber or your health awareness just simply overweighs the time and effort you have to put into preparation, go for the Steel-cut oats or oats bran which contains the most nutrition and fibre. Now Of course you don’t have to be either of these two extremes but could just be one of those people who like to try different varieties. Whichever oats you choose, keep in mind that you are giving a healthy treat for your body and enjoy this wonderful and versatile ingredient!
Article Written by: Mona Saikumar
Dated: 15 March 2012
