Oatmeal is high in fiber, low in fat, and contains protein and iron. It is a very inexpensive alternative to cold cereal for a healthy breakfast. But how do you know which kind of oatmeal is best? Learn about the different types of oatmeal and whether or not that package of instant oatmeal is really a good choice.
Shouldn't I just eat those packages of instant oatmeal?
Instant oatmeal contains oats that are already cooked and dried before rolling. Instant oatmeal comes in the convenience of single serving packages. Easy, fast and with fun flavors. But when you read the label, you see that many instant oatmeal varieties contain lots of sugar, up to several teaspoons in one package. The individual packages can be very expensive.
In locating a good choice, some varieties of instant oatmeal target children, women, or calorie counters. Some of the oatmeal marketed as "lower sugar" has artificial sweeteners, and some childrens' oatmeal with the fun shapes contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Even the "all natural product" can contain too much sugar, so check the nutrition label carefully.
But you can still make oatmeal quickly without the expense and sugar of the individual packets.
What are the best healthy oatmeal choices?
Instead of the expensive instant oatmeal packages, there are three healthy oatmeal choices:
Quick Cooking Oats, Rolled Oats, and Steel Cut .
To understand the choices, here's how oatmeal is made: oat grains are hulled and steamed. These whole grain "groats" are the inner part of the oat kernel and are cut in different ways to make the different kinds of oatmeal.
1. Quick Cooking Oats
Quick cooking oats are groats that are cut into pieces and rolled finer to reduce cooking time. They take about one minute to cook on the stove and one minute in the microwave.
2. Old fashioned Oats or Rolled Oats:
Old fashioned or rolled oats are oat groats that are steamed and rolled flat. Rolled oats cook in five minutes on the stove and three minutes in the microwave.
3. Steel Cut Oats:
Considered by some to be the tastiest oatmeal, steel cut oatmeal contains groats that are cut into pieces using steel blades. They take about an hour to cook from start to finish and are best made on the stove top. Try making a pot on the weekend and refrigerating individual portions to eat during the week.
For healthy oatmeal recipes using all three of the good oatmeal choices, visit http://www.healthy-diet-mom.com/healthy-oatmeal-recipes.html
From Mary Rentoumis, the Healthy Diet Mom. Adventures in healthy eating for the whole family, http://www.healthy-diet-mom.com
