Is instant oatmeal as healthy as regular oatmeal?
The main difference between instant and traditional oatmeal is the amount of processing, with instant oatmeal being more processed in order to reduce cooking time. In terms of health benefits, this does not have too much effect and instant oatmeal is almost as healthy as traditional, except when it comes to glycemic index or GI.
Are instant oats the same as regular oats?
Instant oats have an almost identical nutritional profile to regular oats, except for one main difference: sugar. One package of flavoured instant oats contains approximately 12 grams of sugar, compared to 1 gram found in the same amount of old-fashioned oats. They are also lower in protein due to the extra processing. Click to see full answer.
Is instant oatmeal as good as traditional oatmeal?
While instant oats may be tasty, opt for regular oats as often as possible. With the added sugar, instant oats have a higher glycemic index, which leads to faster digestion and #hanger. Plain, unsweetened varieties do exist but they can be hard to find. Make sure to check ingredient lists for added sugars.
What is the best instant oatmeal?
#1 Bob's Red Mill Instant Rolled Oats - Best Organic Oatmeal Brand
- Contains natural rolled oats and organic cinnamon sweetened with natural can sugar. ...
- It is ideal if you are looking for organic, certified Kosher, and vegetarian oatmeal. ...
- Ensures that no fungicides, pesticides, or any other chemicals. ...
- Offers three grams of protein and fiber per serving. ...
- The best oats to make Sweet Coconut Oatmeal in the morning. ...
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Which is better instant oatmeal or regular oatmeal?
In fact, in the USDA nutrient database, instant oatmeal possesses the same nutritional profile as regular or quick-cooking oatmeal. The only difference lies in the glycemic index, which is a measurement of how quickly a food increases your blood sugar within a two-hour period.
What makes instant oats different?
Also referred to as quick oats, instant oats are the most processed of the three oat varieties. They are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled and pressed slightly thinner than rolled oats. They cook more quickly than steel-cut or rolled oats, but retain less of their texture, and often cook up mushy.
Which is healthier instant oats or rolled oats?
Are Rolled Oats Healthier Than Quick Oats? Although they are made differently, rolled and quick oats have roughly the same nutritional value because they both come from whole oat groats. This means that the decision between rolled vs. quick oats is totally up to you!
What kind of oatmeal is healthiest?
Oat Groats Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact. Oat groats take longer to prepare than other types.
What is the healthiest oatmeal to eat?
A Ranking of the 5 Healthiest OatmealsNature's Path Organic Hot Oatmeal: Original. ... Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grain Oatmeal. ... Qi'a Superfood Chia, Buckwheat, & Hemp Cereal. ... McCann's Quick & Easy Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal. ... Wildway Grain-Free Instant Hot Cereal. ... Oat Groats. ... Steel Cut Oats. ... Scottish Oats.More items...•
What type of oatmeal is best?
No matter what type of oat you choose, it's always best to choose plain, unsweetened oats. Many packaged varieties have loads of added sugar, making them an unhealthy breakfast choice.
What oatmeal is best for weight loss?
Steel-Cut Oats The minimally processed steel-cut oats have a lower glycemic response (meaning they take longer to digest), which is better for your blood sugar levels and overall energy, according to an October 2015 study in the British Journal of Nutrition. This makes them the best oatmeal to lose weight.
Is Quaker instant oatmeal healthy?
One of the healthiest instant oatmeals out there with no added sugars, colors, or artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. At only 100 calories and loaded with heart healthy whole oats and fiber, it's great to eat a few times a week to make weight loss goals. It's also very quick and easy to make for breakfast.
Are instant oats healthy?
"Instant oats are a good source of dietary fiber, and eating them helps support normal bowel movements. Oats contain both insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up your stool, and soluble fiber, which helps soften stool, to make it easier to go," explains Goodwin Dwyer.
Why are instant oats instant?
Due to the tiny fragments and thinner texture, instant oats cook quicker than any other oat varieties.
Is it OK to eat uncooked instant oatmeal?
The good news, as Healthline points out, is that eating raw oats is perfectly fine and shouldn't put you at risk for foodborne illness. The benefits include a robust dose of the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has been shown to help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
What is instant oatmeal made of?
Instant oatmeal = rolled oats that are cut into small pieces and pre-cooked by steaming.
What is the consistency of instant oatmeal?
As a consequence, prepared instant oatmeal has a mushier consistency. To make up for the mushiness, instant oats come in a variety of tasty flavors. You've got the classics like apple cinnamon, maple brown sugar (my fav), and mixed berry and seasonal varieties such as pumpkin spice.
How much sugar is in instant oats?
One package of flavoured instant oats contains approximately 12 grams of sugar , compared to 1 gram found in the same amount of old-fashioned oats. They are also lower in protein due to the extra processing.
What is groat oats?
Oat Groats. All oatmeal starts off as groat oats—the whole unbroken oat grain. After being milled (harvested), the oats go through a cleaning phase to remove impurities. Next, the hull (outer shell) is removed from the groat (inner kernel).
How long does it take to cook oats?
On the stove, regular oats take just 10 minutes to cook from start to finish. They can also be cooked in the microwave in about three minutes.
What is rolled oatmeal?
Also called old-fashioned oats, this is the classic oatmeal. It is steamed and rolled to be pressed into thinner flakes —hence the term "rolled oats." Since the husk has been removed, protein content is decreased compared to the steel-cut variety. On the plus side, regular oats have a longer shelf life.
Is oatmeal a good breakfast?
Oats are the perfect breakfast option. They're naturally gluten-free, vegan, full of fiber, and are low on the glycemic index, they easily fit into any diet. With oatmeal popularity growing, so are the varieties of oatmeal available at the grocery store. From oat groats and steel cut to old-fashioned and instant, ...
Is instant oats good for you?
Like all foods, instant oats can be incorporated into a healthy diet. After a long day of classes, labs, and extra-curricular, sometimes all you need is a bowl of hot instant oats.
How long does it take for instant oats to cook?
The only difference is in the size of the flakes. As should be immediately obvious from the picture above, the instant oats are ground into finer flakes, almost like a powder. This allows them to cook marginally quicker, at least from my experience. From pouring boiling water on them the instant oats take about 40 seconds to be ready, with the regular oats at about 60 seconds. So what else is different?
What is the GI score of rolled oats?
As you can see above, Rolled Oats and Oatmeal are Low GI foods, scoring 50 and 55 respectively.
Is it better to start the day with rolled oats?
This is particularly important for sufferers of diabetes, who have to keep their blood sugar levels in check, but for the general population it might also be better to start your day with rolled oats. While the sachets are no doubt more convenient to some, the trade off is a much more aggressive rise in blood sugar levels and possibly feeling hungry well before lunch time.
Is oatmeal a high GI food?
As you can see above, Rolled Oats and Oatmeal are Low GI foods, scoring 50 and 55 respectively. Instant Oatmeal on the other hand is a High GI food, scoring a whopping 83! Well, what difference does that actually make?
What is the difference between instant oatmeal and rolled oatmeal?
Although quick-cooking rolled oats and instant rolled oats are both designed to provide a shorter cook time, there are some differences between the two types of oats. Quick-cooking rolled oats are quick, but instant oatmeals are intended to be quicker. This means that they are rolled extra thin and milled finer than quick-cooking rolled oats for faster preparation. Another way instant oats are generally created for shorter prep time is that they are pre-cooked. Please note that neither Bob Red Mill’s Quick Cooking Rolled Oats nor Bob Red Mill’s Instant Rolled Oats are precooked, which means you can enjoy fresh oatmeal no matter how much time you have in the morning, and you don’t have to sacrifice time.
What is the difference between instant rolled oats and quick cooked rolled oats?
The main difference with these oats is that they’re made smaller so they can be prepared faster. Quick-cooking rolled oats are great for when you want to cut down on time, but if you’re really pressed, instant rolled oats are even better.
What is Bob's Red Mill instant rolled oats made of?
Unlike many other instant oat brands, Bob’s Red Mill Instant Rolled Oats are made from whole grain oats, including all of the wholesome germ, bran and endosperm from the oat groat—none of the nutritious bran has been removed.
What is rolled oatmeal?
Your usual oatmeal is made of oat groats that have been removed from their outer hull. These oats are then lightly steamed and sent through a roller mill, where they are flattened to various thicknesses.
How long does it take to cook rolled oats?
For comparison, regular rolled oats take about 10-20 minutes on the stove top, while quick-cooking rolled oats can be cooked on the stove in 1-5 minutes, depending on the consistency you desire. You can also add hot water to a bowl of these quick-cooking oats and let sit for 5 minutes, or zap them in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Is rolled oatmeal thicker than quick cooked oatmeal?
Regular rolled oats tend to be thicker than quick-cooking ...
Is oatmeal the same as steel cut?
Although most oatmeal is pretty similar, different types of oatmeal take different amounts of time to prepare. Whether you go for the classic old fashioned rolled oats or the chewier steel cut variety, all types of oats will require different cooking times.
Why are instant oats inferior to less processed oats?
As Jampolis points out, some packaged instant oats are “nutritionally inferior” to less-processed varieties because they’re flavored with high-sugar and high-salt ingredients.
Why does oatmeal have a higher GI rating?
Melina Jampolis, instant oatmeal has a higher GI rating because it is more processed, meaning the body breaks it down more rapidly.
How many carbs are in rolled oatmeal?
Both have 165 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3.5 fat grams, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber and 0.6 grams of sugar in a 1-cup serving. In comparison, a 1-cup serving of cooked steel cut oats, ...
How many calories are in steel cut oats?
In comparison, a 1-cup serving of cooked steel cut oats, made from 1/4-cup dry cereal, has 170 calories, 7 grams of protein, 3 fat grams, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber and no sugar.
Is oatmeal a whole grain?
Cooked Oatmeal. No matter what kind of oats you buy, its nutrition level will be high. Oatmeal is a whole grain, meaning it keeps bran, germ and endosperm intact. Together, those three components offer soluble and insoluble fiber, plant-based protein and complex carbs to keep you full with fewer calories, sugar and fat grams.
Do instant oatmeal oats break down?
Because instant oats have been pre-cooked, they are softer and finer, making for a creamy final texture. Cooked rolled oats do not break down as much and tend to preserve their structure, so you’ll enjoy a nuttier texture and more toothsome mouthfeel when you eat them. Steel-cut oats are roughest of all, since they haven’t been steamed. While they do soften during cooking, they never achieve the creamy consistency that instant oatmeal offers.
How many carbs are in oatmeal?
Regular and quick oatmeal are nutritionally similar. A 1/2-cup serving of each contains 27 grams of carbs, 5 grams of protein, 3 grams of fat and 150 calories. It also contains 4 grams of fiber, a good amount of which is soluble fiber. This indigestible substance forms a gel in the stomach when consumed, which helps block the absorption of cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 10 grams of soluble fiber a day to reap the cholesterol-lowering benefits. Add bananas to your bowl to boost the soluble fiber content in your breakfast even more.
How long does it take for oatmeal to cook?
This makes them good breakfast options if you are in a hurry in the morning. Regular oats can take 15 minutes or more to prepare, while quick oats cook in about four or five minutes. Instant oats take even less time.
Why are oats better for energy?
Because regular oats have a lower GI score, they’re a better choice for sustained energy. Another way to determine how a food affects your blood sugar levels is through its glycemic load, which is determined by multiplying its GI score by the amount of carbs it contains per serving, then dividing by 100.
What is the glycemic index of oatmeal?
The glycemic index, or GI, is a chart that runs from 0 to 100, measures the effects of carb-containing food on blood sugar levels. Regular oats have a GI score of 55, which means they have a relatively low impact on blood sugar levels. With a GI score of 66, quick oatmeal is considered a medium-impact GI food.
Is instant oatmeal the same as instant oatmeal?
This type of oatmeal often gets confused with instant oats, but they are not one in the same. Instant oatmeal is finely pressed, which can cause it to take on a powdery consistency.
Is oats a good ingredient in cookies?
It also works well as an ingredient in cookies, muffins, scones and granola bars. Regular and quick oats are two closely related types that have subtle differences. Choosing between them revolves around how you want to incorporate them into your diet.
Is instant oatmeal good for baking?
Since regular oats are thicker, they give cookies a lumpy, rough appearance. Instant oatmeal should not be used for baking because it does not hold up well.
What is the difference between instant oats and quick oats?
In essence, instant oats are already cooked, dehydrated oats. Instant oats are steamed for longer and rolled thinner than quick oats, which is why they take less time to cook compared to quick oats.
Is oatmeal a good breakfast?
Oatmeal is a quick, healthy breakfast staple with ample room for experimentation and creativity. Overnight oats are a protein-filled breakfast you can grab as you run out the door, healthy oat cookies mean you can have dessert for breakfast, and there are endless ways to spice up ordinary oatmeal. Instant oats and quick oats make enjoying ...
Does instant oatmeal have iron?
Instant oatmeal can also be fortified with additional vitamin A, calcium, and iron (the exact amounts vary from flavor to flavor). Quick oats have negligible amounts of Vitamin A and calcium and only 8% of your daily recommended iron. PIN IT.
Is instant oats cheaper than quick oats?
Quick oats are typically sold in a container, while instant oats are usually purchased in a box of individual packets. Because quick oats are sold in a bul kier fashion, they're often cheaper . Instant oats often have preservatives and additives and can come in a variety of flavors, from Maple Brown Sugar to seasonal Pumpkin Spice.
Is instant oatmeal high in sodium?
While instant oats may be higher in sodium, they still contain less than 5% of the daily recommended value. Alternatively, quick oats can be made more nutritious by adding fruit or peanut butter. So cheers to whichever speedy oatmeal you prefer–you really can't go wrong with either. SHARE.
How long does it take to cook instant oatmeal?
On the other hand, instant oatmea l is essentially the most heavily processed version of oatmeal ( excluding oat flour I suppose?) , requiring as little as 60 seconds to cook.
How long does it take to cook oats?
The original oat kernel is cut once or twice with a steel blade to create them ( also known as Irish Oats). They take 25-30 minutes to cook, which may deter some people from purchasing them. They also tend not to be as visible or well represented on grocery store shelves.
Does steel cut oatmeal raise blood sugar?
Steel Cut oatmeal has a low glycemic index score because it is digested and absorbed slowly and does not raise your blood sugar quickly nor very high.
Is instant oatmeal the same as steel cut oatmeal?
Your body does too, even if on the surface different types of oatmeal may appear nutritionally similar. The one critical difference between Steel Cut and Instant Oatmeal is how rapidly they are broken down and absorbed into your bloodstream ( and how much/how quickly they raise your blood sugar as a result).
Is oatmeal good for cholesterol?
A whole grain packed with a soluble fibre known as beta-glucan, oats are exceptionally useful for lowering blood cholesterol levels. If elevated cholesterol is concern, oatmeal of any type is a great choice. And so is my brand new cholesterol lowering cookbook, which includes a number of oat-based recipes. Oatmeal, however, also happens ...
Is instant oatmeal a whole grain?
The calorie, fibre and vitamin/mineral values remain very similar between steel cut and instant oatmeal. This is essentially why instant oatmeal, despite significant processing, can still be referred to as a whole grain.
Is oatmeal bad for you?
If you eat a strongly balanced diet and choose instant oatmeal out of convenience, it’s unlikely to have any great negative consequences on your health.