Health Benefit

January is National Oatmeal Month

Oatmeal is a preparation created from oat groats. It is also referred to as stirabout, Oatmeal cereal and porridge. The oat plant, Avena sativa, is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed. The oat seeds are crushed or rolled in to Oatmeal, or ground fine into oat flour.

According To The American Cancer Society

1. Insoluble fiber's cancer-fighting properties are due to the fact that it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity.

2. Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is good.

Rolled Oats vs. Steel Cut

Rolled oats

If you've ever eaten Oatmeal cookies, instant Oatmeal or old fashioned Oatmeal, chances are you've had rolled oats. They are the most popular due in part to their fast cooking time.

Weight Loss With Oatmeal

One of the main benefits of the Oatmeal diet is weight loss. If the diet is followed properly, one can expect to lose up to 10 pounds in one month. There are two types of this diet. The first is a more drastic version and requires eating Oatmeal during every meal---including snacks. Low fat fruits can be implemented to provide variance. For other variations of the diet, Oatmeal would be eaten for breakfast followed by a low fat lunch and dinner option of lean meats and vegetables.

Oatmeal Help Lower Cholesterol & Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It is also found in foods we eat that come from animals, such as poultry, seafood, beef and dairy products. Cholesterol has a number of important jobs, including the production of certain hormones as well as the breakdown and digestion of fat. However, sometimes our bodies have too much cholesterol, and this becomes a problem. The extra cholesterol can eventually damage and clog arteries.

Stabilized Blood Sugar

With a low glycaemic index Oatmeal is assimilated slowly, keeping sugar levels stable. The American Diabetes Association recommends a daily fiber intake of 20 - 35 gms. One cup of cooked Oatmeal supplies 4 gms.

Oatmeal Reduce The Risk For Type II Diabetes

There are numerous foods that are good for diabetics. One such food is Oatmeal. Several health experts advice Oatmeal as an integral part of the diabetic diet and as a part of a daily diet has several health benefits.

Oats Are a Source of Antioxidants, Vitamins, Minerals

Oats also contain a greater proportion of protein than any other grain. They also contain all the B Vitamins in a density found in no other food, Oats are also rich in Vitamin E and contain Fatty Acids and Vitamin K. Compared with other whole grains, oats also have the highest amounts of Calcium, Manganese, Copper, Zinc and Magnesium. And this healthy cereal grain has more healthy, soluble fiber than whole wheat, corn or rice.

Enhanced Fitness Levels

Oatmeal helps in fighting obesity as its soluble fiber slows down digestion, thus increasing the sense of fullness. Athletes and their trainers credit the ingredient as a source of a lot of strength and stamina. The content of beta-glucan is capitalized on by athletes and those in support of weight training.

Oatmeal Preparation

The ingredient is very easy to integrate within any meal. Oatmeal has a mild flavor and mixes readily with any other pre-mix. It is popular as an individual breakfast component called porridge; but it is also used to thicken desserts and soups. Oatmeal is very convenient to use, it can be prepared in a microwave or in the old fashioned way of boiling it to a molten mix on the stove-top.

Other Uses For Oatmeal

Did you know that Oatmeal is just as wonderful for the outside of your body as it is for your inner health? One of the best uses for Oatmeal is to treat overworked, tired, and dry skin all over the body in the wake of skin conditions such as windburn, sunburn, poison ivy and acne.