Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about the reasons to eat oatmeal. Long before I knew about the benefits of oatmeal, I made it every morning for my family. Not only is it tasty and filling but recent research shows that the benefits of oatmeal go beyond weight loss. If you are not aware of the reasons to eat oatmeal then keep reading and let me expand your knowledge.
We've all heard the rumors that oatmeal lowers cholesterol, but we are never sure if these diet fads are true. Well, it is ladies! Oatmeal lowers the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. In fact the Mayo Clinic says it is one of the top 5 foods people with high cholesterol should eat to help stabilize lower it. Amazing, right? So why don't you consider adding oatmeal to your daily menu? It's one of the reasons to eat oatmeal, for sure!
The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a significant amount of water, which slows down the digestive process, therefore you stay full longer. This is especially important if you're dieting to lose weight.
If you have tried oatmeal before and didn't like it, you should really consider trying it again. Oatmeal is very versatile and you can add almost anything to it. I make oatmeal almost every morning and it's never the same. You can choose to make it with water or milk, thin or thick... You can even add fruit, nuts, cinnamon, honey, liquid agave, vanilla or coconut extract, chia or flax seeds - pretty much anything you have in your pantry. You can even add it to a smoothie!
Oatmeal is a good source of protein, with about 5 grams per serving. Protein is an energy source that is difficult for the body to break down, therefore it lasts longer than other sources of energy that are quickly broken down, like carbs. Protein is also essential for daily functioning, like muscle repair. This is why it is an essential part of a body builder's diet. If one does not take in enough protein their muscles would become achy with just a little work. So if you're going to work out, go have some oatmeal!
Oatmeal slows the absorption of sugar which can improve blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes are told to add oatmeal to their daily menu for this reason.
Oatmeal is a whole grain, and eating whole grains can lower your risk for several diseases, including high blood pressure. Oatmeal also contains lignans, a plant chemical that has been found to prevent heart disease. The food label on your package of oats should list one ingredient: whole grain oats!
Oatmeal is a low calorie food that keeps you full! Sounds like the perfect combination for you dieters out there. One cup of uncooked oats is about 130 calories! That's amazing especially considering after cooked it expands to about double or 2 cups!
Everyone loves a quick meal. Oatmeal takes only minutes to complete and can be made on the stove top or in the microwave. Instant oats are even easier... hot breakfast in just over a minute! Incredible!
Although research is not conclusive, there is evidence that eating oatmeal in your regular diet can help fight cancer. Eating oatmeal does not completely prevent cancer, but adding this fiber-rich food to your diet could lessen your risk.
Whether it's instant or old fashioned, the nutrition in a serving of oatmeal is unbeatable and the flavor is only limited by your imagination... it tastes so good!
Now that you know all the benefits of eating oatmeal I hope you continue to eat it, and if you haven't started yet, I hope I've convinced you to start right away, like right now! How do you like your oatmeal? Do you know any other very good reasons to eat oatmeal?