Are There Really Pesticides in Your Oatmeal? (2024)

FAQs

Are there a lot of pesticides in oatmeal? ›

Pesticide residue in oats is so common that 43 of the 45 samples studied contained the pesticide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup). Glyphosate is the most heavily used pesticide in America, and it's linked to cancer and so many other terrible health conditions.

"Steel-cut oats are the least processed [type of oats] and the best option health-wise," says Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with Within Nutrition. "The fibers in them are very healthy for the gut, hormones, satiety, and weight loss."

Oats. If you love a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast with some fresh fruit and nuts, go with organic if you can. “Oats can contain glyphosate which is an herbicide that has been linked to cancer. Buying organic oats can help decrease the exposure to this herbicide,” Schapiro says.

Even if you eat all organic, many oat-based foods such as cereal, granola, instant oats, and bars contain glyphosate, the toxic weed-killer in Roundup.

Kale, collard and mustard greens, as well as hot peppers and bell peppers, had the most pesticides detected, 103 and 101 pesticides in total, respectively. A single sample of kale, collard and mustard greens had up to 21 different pesticides.

Although, whole, steel-cut, and rolled oats should all be sugar and additive-free it's always a good idea to double-check the label. Instant or quick oats, on the other hand, often have added sugar and other artificial flavoring added to them.

In the first round of EWG tests, Quaker Old Fashioned Oats cereal was found to have the most glyphosate per sample, with more than 1,000 ppb in two of three samples tested.

Oat Groats

Groats are the purest form of oatmeal. They are made from hulled grains, which are then toasted to make them more edible. Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact.

“Eating whole grain oats can prevent diabetes and lower cholesterol levels, which could prevent cardiovascular disease.” Some studies show that oats have anti-inflammatory effects, Sang says, “which could prevent inflammation related to chronic disease.” Fiber is oatmeal's main health attribute.

Do all oats contain glyphosate? ›

Some oats and oat cereals contain traces of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide. Government groups say these levels are safe, but science shows some potential risks that may make glyphosate free oats a better choice.

When buying oatmeal, always check the ingredient list. No matter the type, there should only be one ingredient listed — whole-grain oats. Be wary of flavored instant oatmeal, as it can pack added sugars, extra sodium, and artificial ingredients.

Types of Oats

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. Oat Groats: The whole oat kernels that have been cleaned, with only the loose, inedible hulls removed. Groats contain the intact germ, endosperm, and bran.

In response to our customers, we worked with our oat suppliers to put an end to their use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant for all varieties of Bob's Red Mill oats.

For example, while Bob's Red Mill organic rolled oats averaged 12.5 ppb of glyphosate, Bob's Red Mill conventional rolled oats averaged more than ten times that much (150 ppb, which is still slightly below EWG's limit for safety).

Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, a chemical that can cause death if a human consumes between 5.7 and 11.7 pounds of rhubarb leaves, depending on the specific leaves and the individual's weight, according to Healthline.

First, conventional coffee is among the most heavily chemically treated foods in the world. It is steeped in synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides – a real mouthful with a bad taste. Not only does the environment suffer from this overload, but so do the people who live in it.

Unfortunately, domestic blueberries rank a fairly high 16 on the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, a list EWG created to single out produce with the highest loads of pesticide residues. (Here's a list of pesticides commonly found on blueberries.)

Should you rinse off oatmeal? ›

Following an oatmeal bath, it is best to rinse off the body with lukewarm water. Once this has been done, you can quickly dab yourself dry using a towel. Avoid rubbing yourself dry with a towel as the rubbing motion can cause friction and further irritation to the skin.

Make sure that you are rinsing them well. People tend to skip this step, but from my personal experience, I find rinsing them well omits this. It also helps in washing away the sticky starch that can make oats gummy.

One can find wide varieties of oats in the grocery stores or supermarkets such as whole grain oats, rolled oats, oats flour, steel-cut oats and Scottish oats. All these assortments in multiple brands and flavours are available in the market in the form of organic as well as inorganic.

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Buy organic food whenever possible. Or prioritize purchasing organic for the most heavily sprayed crops such as berries (and many other fruits with peels that we consume), leafy greens, potatoes, and celery. When eating conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, wash them thoroughly.

Quinoa is a great oatmeal alternative as it has rich protein and fiber contents, which help keep you satiated and slow the rise of your blood sugar post-meal. One cup of cooked quinoa packs about 40 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of healthy fats.

Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

On Quaker Oats' website, the company says it does not add glyphosate during any part of the milling process, but that it is commonly used by farmers who apply it pre-harvest.

Which oats are least processed? ›

Types of Oats

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. Oat Groats: The whole oat kernels that have been cleaned, with only the loose, inedible hulls removed. Groats contain the intact germ, endosperm, and bran.

So, are organic foods pesticide-free? Not always. However, organic farming only allows for the use of organic pesticides that avoid man-made chemicals at all costs, unless there is no other option. And farmers must use other methods of non-chemical pest control first before using any man-made pesticides.

Conventional farmers spray glyphosate on genetically engineered corn, oats, soybeans and wheat before it is harvested. Consumers also use glyphosate on their lawns and gardeners. Both the nature and severity of human health impacts following exposures to glyphosate herbicides are unknown.

The main pesticide found in eggs comes from the insecticide family. The presence of pesticides in the environment is highly toxic to environmental and human health, (SciELO).

Thiabendazole is the most common pesticide residue found in bananas, occuring in 48.1 percent of the bananas tested, according to the Pesticide Action Network North America.

Regular consumption of oatmeal can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Oats are packed with fiber and antioxidants which can help lower cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar control and regulate hunger hormones.

Is glyphosate in oats safe? Whether glyphosate residue is harmful to humans is still up for debate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the “tolerable limit” for glyphosate in oats at 30 parts per million (ppm); the EU's limit is 20 parts per million.

In the first round of EWG tests, Quaker Old Fashioned Oats cereal was found to have the most glyphosate per sample, with more than 1,000 ppb in two of three samples tested. In the second round of EWG tests, the highest level of 2,837 ppb was found in one sample of Quaker Oatmeal Squares breakfast cereal.

A 2018 study by the Environmental Working Group found levels of glyphosate in oatmeal breakfast cereals to be between 0.5 and 1 parts per million. It is unlikely that consumption of these cereals causes any significant health risks.