8 Reasons You Should Be Eating Oatmeal
Mmmmm….oatmeal! What could be better on a chilly autumn morning than a nice, hot bowl of gluten-free oats? Nothing, especially if you consider these 8 amazing health benefits that oatmeal offers.
1. Lower Cholesterol
Oats contain a very specific type of fiber that has proven over the last 50 years to improve cholesterol levels. Just one bowl a day can lower cholesterol by 8-23% - that’s huge!
2. Promote Heart Health
Scientists studying the effects of consuming oats on cholesterol have also found that these same properties also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. By increasing the amount of good cholesterol as well as helping to prevent the attachment of monoctyes (immune cells) to the walls of blood vessels and arteries, oatmeal and oat bran can have a lasting impact on the health of your heart and circulatory system.
3. Help Prevent Cancers
Studies have shown that a diet high in whole-grain fiber and fruit can offer protection against breast cancer for pre-menopausal women. Those who consume more than 30 grams of fiber daily can cut their risk of breast cancer of 52%. That might seem like a lot of fiber, but one cup of cooked oatmeal plus one sliced pear in the morning will get you 1/3rd of the way there.
4. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
As with most fiber-filled foods, oatmeal is a great way to start your day off by offering superior blood sugar management. The slow metabolizing, slow digesting oatmeal offers your body a steady supply of energy, rather than the high and crash of refined foods and simple carbohydrates.
5. Diabetes Management
Magnesium is a key factor in helping the body produce enzymes, many of which help the body utilize glucose and produce insulin. Incorporating foods that are whole grains and low in fat and cholesterol can drastically reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes as well as helping to manage blood sugar levels.
6. Boost Immunity
When it comes to battling bacteria, nothing beats oat bran. Beta-glucan in oatmeal helps to fight bacteria more quickly by assisting immune cells in finding the source of infection. The result is faster healing and possibly increased energy levels.
7. Aid Digestion
Adding more fiber to your diet is a great way to help digestion. Gluten free oats are easy on the stomach and digestive system, while the fiber content in oatmeal helps to slow digestion so your body can absorb more nutrients.
8. Control Blood Pressure
Several recent studies have indicated that a diet high in fiber can help to control blood pressure, even reducing the need for blood pressure medication. Starting the day of with a hearty bowl of oatmeal can go a long way towards helping to manage blood pressure levels.
Easy Steel Cut Oats
While reaching for the instant oats might be the easiest, steel cut oats offer the best nutritional value. Preparing steel cut oats overnight in a slow cooker is a great way to have breakfast ready for the whole family first thing, without the hassle of having to cook. All you need is two cups of oats to six cups of liquid (water, coconut milk, etc.) plus any additions (nuts, cinnamon, dried fruit). Place on low heat for eight hours overnight. Now that you know how healthy oatmeal is, perhaps it’s time to add it to your breakfast line-up!
Breakfast at Your Doorstep
When you sign up for our Vegan Meal Planner, you can be sure to find oatmeal on the breakfast menu! Our meals include not only hot oatmeal, but also our freshly prepared granola so you get to enjoy the benefits of oatmeal in so many delicious ways. Learn more about Vegan Meal Delivery and select a plan today >
