To make the taste more flavorsome, oatmeal is normally eaten with fruit and honey. These additions sweeten oatmeal.
While oatmeal is considered to be a healthy food, it may surprise you to learn that oatmeal is not as healthy as you may originally assume.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the nutritional value of oatmeal so that you can have a delicious and balanced diet.
Benefits Of Eating Oatmeal
To properly determine whether or not oatmeal is a healthy food, we must weigh up the pros and cons. There are lots of advantages to consuming oatmeal, such as:
It Is A Good Source Of Fiber
Oatmeal is incredibly rich in fiber. It is important to have good levels of fiber in your diet because it allows you to maintain bowel movements and keeps your bowel healthy.
This is the main reason why it is recommended that you eat more fiber when suffering from bowel problems, such as constipation.
Moreover, fiber can regulate blood sugar. It has also been found to reduce cholesterol. The reason for oatmeal’s richness in fiber is its high grain and oat content.
Since most adults do not consume sufficient levels of fiber, this can seriously benefit their diet.
Oatmeal Is Rich In Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a group of compounds that prevent free radicals, which damage certain cells.
As a result, antioxidants help stop diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. Since these diseases are quite common, antioxidants can be incredibly beneficial to your health.
It Is Simple To Prepare
One of the reasons why oatmeal is so widely consumed is because it is quick and convenient to make.
This makes oatmeal particularly useful in the morning when you have limited time. You simply need to make the oatmeal and can quickly eat it. Many oatmeal packets have a long used-by date.
Consequently, you can keep a pack of oatmeal in your cupboard and use it whenever you want a quick and easy meal.
Loads Of Customization Options
You can add tons of different toppings to a bowl of oatmeal to make it a more interesting meal. Some of our favorite toppings include:
Don’t you hate it when breakfast just isn’t filling enough?
This usually results in people snacking on unhealthy foods. Thankfully, oatmeal is a filling meal. This is especially true when it is eaten with your favorite fillings.
Downsides Of Eating Oatmeal
While there are certainly advantages to consuming oatmeal, you should also be aware of the disadvantages. These include:
It is High in Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the basis of many meals. They are known for containing many essential nutrients. On the other hand, having too many carbohydrates in your diet can lead to weight gain.
If you are trying to shed a few pounds of weight, you may want to avoid high-carbohydrate foods such as oatmeal.
Most People Cover It With Sugary Toppings
While fruits are nutritious and make for great oatmeal toppings, not everyone opts for them alone.
In fact, a lot of people will combine fruits with less healthy toppings, such as chocolate, honey, and, worst of all, sugar.
These foods are all high in sugar, which is bad for the human body when consumed in excessive quantities. Sugar leads to obesity, tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, and diseases such as cancer.
Because of this, studies have found that many people struggle to lose weight when they eat oatmeal. Instead, they are more likely to increase in weight, which is likely a consequence of these unhealthy toppings.
If you want to avoid this fate, you should opt for healthier toppings, namely fruit and nuts. While fruits are high in sugar, these natural sugars are fine when consumed in moderation.
It Lacks Flavor
Most people think that oatmeal is a bland food. That is not to say that it tastes bad, just that it has minimal flavor. Often, people compensate by adding scrumptious toppings.
This results in the aforementioned problem of unhealthy toppings. What is the point in eating food with a dull flavor if it isn’t that nutritious?
Should I Eat Oatmeal?
The decision of whether or not oatmeal is worth it is up to you. To us, it has lots of benefits, most of which outweigh the disadvantages.
On the other hand, you should be wary of these downsides when eating oatmeal, especially if you consume it often.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Oatmeal Toppings?
There are loads of different flavor combinations you can try to spice up your oatmeal. The next time that you have oatmeal, you should consider adding:
One of the best things about oatmeal is that you can experiment with lots of different toppings, as it is a versatile food. If you are looking for a healthy option, we recommend apples, bananas, pumpkin, and berries.
Can you Eat Oatmeal On The Keto Diet?
No, you cannot. Since the ketogenic diet is designed to minimize carbohydrates, oatmeal should not be eaten while on the diet. As mentioned, it is very rich in carbs.
Is Oatmeal Okay For IBS Sufferers?
Yes, many IBS sufferers will benefit from having oatmeal due to its high fiber content.
Final Thoughts
While there are lots of reasons why people think oatmeal is healthy, there are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of. Therefore, we do not recommend having oatmeal for breakfast every day.
If you want to have a healthy bowl of oatmeal, you should pair it with mouth-watering fruits, such as bananas and berries.
Hi, my name is Brett White, and I have a passion for cooking, and following a raw diet. Eating raw has completely changed how I view food, and has led me down a much healthier and happier path in life over the last three years.
Through Addicted To Veggies, I want to share with you my favorite raw recipes. From brownie recipes, to recipes containing pumpkin, my site is full of delicious and wonderful options to consider.
