Oatmeal: Health Benefits and Recipes

Oats are a type of cereal grain from the Poaceae grass family of plants. Oats are most prized for their nutritional value and health benefits.  The Food and Drug Administration allows the use of a health claim on food labels associating a reduced risk of coronary heart disease with the consumption of beta-glucan soluble fiber from whole grain oats.

Oats are a source of:

• Fiber (insoluble and soluble)
• Phosphorus
• Thiamine
• Magnesium
• Zinc

Types of Oats:

Oats are available in a variety of forms, based on how they are processed.  The least processed oats, like groats or steel-cut, generally take longer to digest so they have a lower glycemic index than rolled or instant oats.  The following list shows the types of oats in order of least to most processing. 

• Oat Groats
• Steel-Cut or Irish
• Scottish Oats
• Rolled or Old-Fashioned
• Quick or Instant

Health Benefits 

• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Weight Control
• Digestive Health

Learn more from Harvard Chan School of Public Health!

Time to get cooking!  Need some inspiration?  Here are: 

12 Ways to Eat Oats for Breakfast

Have questions about nutrition, or do you think you could benefit from Medical Nutritional Therapy at Inspired Health Group?  Message our care team through your patient portal.  Our Dietitian Nutritionist team treats and manages conditions and diseases through diet.  Learn more!