Why is instant oatmeal not as healthy?

Because instant oatmeal has been processed to cook more quickly, it is also broken down and digested more quickly by your body, giving it a higher glycemic index. Eating a lower glycemic index diet may help improve your cholesterol ratios.

cnn.com - Is instant oatmeal just as healthy as traditional? - CNN.com

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Expert answer

Hi, Andrew. This is an excellent question that I get asked quite often. Oatmeal is a terrific source of heart-healthy whole grains, and I commend you for making the effort to include oats in your diet on a regular basis. To answer your questions, slow-cooked oatmeal can be reheated without losing any nutritional benefits, so that is certainly a good approach if you like the taste of slow-cooked oats. According to Cynthia Harriman, director of food and nutrition strategies for the Whole Grains Council, instant oatmeal, which is often portrayed as nutritionally inferior, is also a whole grain. 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. Because instant oatmeal has been processed to cook more quickly, it is also broken down and digested more quickly by your body, giving it a higher glycemic index. Eating a lower glycemic index diet may help improve your cholesterol ratios. To lower the glycemic index of instant oatmeal, all you have to do is combine it with a little lean protein (add low-fat or fat-free milk or a half-scoop of protein powder after cooking) or healthy fat (top with a tablespoon or two of chopped nuts, which are also good for lowering cholesterol). In addition, if you go for instant oatmeal, make sure to check out the ingredient list and nutrition fact panel; many flavored instant oatmeals are loaded with sugar and salt, making them a nutritionally inferior choice. Here is a fun instant oatmeal recipe from Good Eats, a free book produced by the University of New Hampshire Health Services.

For more whole grain recipe ideas, visit the Whole Grains Council.

Dorm room apple crisp

1-2 apples, washed and chopped (no need to peel)

1 package instant oatmeal (cinnamon or brown sugar flavor)

2 teaspoons butter (consider substituting a butter spread with plant sterols for added cholesterol reduction)

1. Put the apple pieces in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Sprinkle oatmeal over apples and dot with butter.

3. Microwave for a minute.

4. Enjoy!

Variations:

Substitute ½-cup rolled oats, one or two tablespoons brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon for the oatmeal packet.

Top with vanilla yogurt.

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What can I add to oatmeal to make it better?

Dried fruit like mulberries, goji berries, jujube, and dates lend chewy texture in addition to fruity flavor. Top with nuts and seeds for an extra crunchy, extra hearty bowl of oats. We like hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, and toasted coconut.

bonappetit.com - All the Ways to Make Oatmeal Taste Actually Amazing - Bon Appetit

This story is part of the 2018 Feel Good Food Plan, our two-week mind-body-belly plan for starting the year off right. Oatmeal is one of the great "healthy" breakfasts for good reason: It's cheap, quick, and full of the nutrients you need to start the day off right. Unfortunately, oatmeal can also be super underwhelming. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day, especially when it's a bowl of sorta-gluey beige mush. Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way. With the right choice in cooking liquid, plenty of toppings, and a bit of technique, oatmeal can be straight-up dreamy. Here are some of the BA staff's favorite ways to make oatmeal live up to its fullest, most delicious, potential. Soak your oats—even if it’s just on your way to work. Soaked oats cook faster and won’t boil over in the microwave as quickly. Use an unexpected, savory cooking liquid like chicken stock, vegan broth or dashi for a warming, umami-packed breakfast. Drizzle some of your morning chai into the oats (or use a premixed concentrate like Dona Chai) for nuanced, aromatic oats. Or, replace your usual cooking liquid with herbal tea for a perfumed flavor. Add other grains like millet, amaranth, and buckwheat for textural interest.

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