If we are thinking about taking care of ourselves and maintaining a healthy diet, surely we have considered starting to include in our diet a superfood that has been taking center stage for years: oats. This super cereal is a source of fiber with dozens of properties that not only favor digestion, but also favor the proper functioning of our organs, the elimination of toxins and control our weight.
However, because its use is not yet as widespread as other cereals, many people wonder how to prepare oatmeal and what is its best version. In this article we will answer all these questions and answer the most common question: Can you eat raw oats? Keep reading!
What is better to eat raw or cooked oatmeal?
One of the most popular and delicious recipes with oats are the famous porridge (or porridge). This dish is prepared hot with toppings, such as fruit or dried fruit. This breakfast is full of nutrients and vitamins, it is also comforting and gives you energy for the whole day. However, many people who are interested in consuming fiber and taking advantage of the benefits of oats wonder how it will be best to consume it to take full advantage of its nutrients: raw oats or cooked oats? And… What if I eat raw oatmeal?
Well, sometimes you may have consumed the oats directly from the bag soaked in water or milk, thinking that this way you were consuming it better, but you should know that any type of oats that is marketed as food is already pre-cooked so that it can be consumed. Completely raw oats are indigestible for our digestive system, all the flakes that are sold have a cooking process.
When it comes to cooking oatmeal for breakfast or dessert, we are giving the cereal a different texture and consistency, but beyond that, we are not taking away many more benefits than it had fresh out of the bag. It is, therefore, a matter of taste and you must also take into account the type of dish you are going to prepare with it, although the raw version would preserve all of its properties somewhat better.
Benefits of oatmeal
As we said, oatmeal is one of the most complete and nutritious foods. If you want to have a good diet, you must include it in your diet on a frequent basis throughout the week. Here we leave you a list of some of the great benefits of oats, all of these you will obtain with its consumption:
- Blood control: in addition to being a food that does not provide any sugar, its soluble fiber composition helps reduce the sugar content in our blood, creating a gel in our stomach that slows down digestion and reduces the percentage of sugar , making it a perfect food for people with diabetes.
- Weight loss: Precisely because of this type of soluble fiber, our stomach continues to work more slowly and the feeling of satiety is prolonged, causing us to have less appetite and helping us control our weight.
- Energy: oatmeal is an ideal food to take in the morning, since it gives us a lot of energy and many nutrients with which to last until lunchtime. It is also a great option if you have to do some sport or physical effort.
- Cholesterol: its high fiber content makes it an antioxidant food that, in turn, cleanses us from the inside, preventing or lowering the cholesterol in our arteries.
- Digestion: Insoluble fiber is also included within oatmeal. We emphasize that it is the ideal one for the digestive system, since it is capable of collecting water from our body, making our digestions lighter and our digestive system better lubricated.
Oatmeal, therefore, is a highly prized food full of benefits that make it worth including in our diet. Of course, we must do it with measure and common sense, since if we eat oatmeal every day or in large quantities, we can run the risk of consuming more fiber than necessary and that it ends up being counterproductive.
How to prepare oatmeal
This cereal is very versatile and can be used in the form of flour for desserts or can also be used for pancakes. However, the most common way to prepare it is like porridge or porridge, in addition, its preparation is very simple:
- In a saucepan put milk or water to heat.
- When it starts to boil, add the whole oat flakes and let them cook for 5 minutes, moving them so they don’t stick to the bottom.
- At this point, we can add more milk to give it creaminess, a tablespoon of sugar or sweeteners and a few drops of vanilla essence.
- Once served in a bowl, add banana pieces, nuts and cinnamon to taste.
Well, if you didn’t know how to eat oatmeal, with these simple steps we will get one of the most basic recipes with oatmeal, but there are many more. If you are determined to include oats in your diet and you are interested in the world of cooking, do not hesitate to continue on our website.
