Does It Really Matter Whether You Eat Old-Fashioned or Steel-Cut Oats? (2024)

FAQs

Are steel-cut oats better for you than old fashioned? ›

Metric per metric, rolled oats and steel cut oats are almost the same when it comes to nutritional value. However, steel cut oats beat out rolled oats in two areas, fiber content and density, which make steel cut oats the best bang for your nutritional buck.

Rolled oats and steel-cut oats are two minimally processed forms of oats. They have similar nutritional values and health benefits. Steel-cut oats may take longer to digest and therefore help a person feel full for longer. They also have a slightly lower impact on blood sugar.

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.

Consuming oats everyday will help in stabilizing blood sugar and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Beta-glucans in oats are also found to reduce blood sugar spikes and keep your blood sugar level stable.

Steel-cut oats are an excellent soluble fiber to add to the diet that also acts as a prebiotic food. These oats are beneficial to promote anti-inflammatory integrity in the intestinal bacteria.

To get steel cut oats, the oat kernel (called a groat) is cut into two or three pieces with a sharp blade. They are not steamed and rolled, like old fashioned (regular) oats. They take longer to digest and absorb than regular (old fashioned), quick, or instant oats.

Eating steel cut oats every day? Not a bad idea if you want to control your blood sugar levels. One small study found that consuming high fiber foods, like oats, might be associated with a decreased risk of diabetes. Further research also links oat intake with lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

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.

Steel cut oats are rich in protein and fiber, improving fullness and helping to provide the macronutrient building blocks of a healthy diet. They are also an excellent source of: Vitamin B Complex. Iron.

Oatmeal is a good option for breakfast because it can help a person to feel full for a long time. However, it does not provide the nutrients that a person needs on a daily basis. This makes the oatmeal diet a poor strategy for long-term weight loss.

Is it healthy to eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast? ›

Let's cut to the chase: Yes, oatmeal is good for you, despite what anyone with a fear of carbs will tell you. As a great source of whole grains, oats contain a heart-protective starch called beta-glucan that can help lower high cholesterol and potentially help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Old-fashioned oatmeal provides many nutrients, including carbohydrate, protein and a small amount of natural fat. Because it contains the oat germ, it is rich in minerals, such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

However, oatmeal can lead to high spikes in blood sugar which causes energy crashes, cravings and mood swings through out the day. Not to mention it could be the reason you aren't losing weight. Instant and rolled oats are highly processed.

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.

Since oatmeal is a complex carb, it's digested slower than foods containing simple carbs. However, oatmeal also contains dietary fiber, which helps with digestion and absorption. When these two factors are combined, the digestion time of oatmeal is relatively fast and takes about two to three hours.

Steel-cut oats have several amazing health benefits. They boost heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure, help with diabetes management and blood sugar control, keep you feeling full for longer, and can prevent or relieve constipation.

According to Burak, steel-cut oats are beneficial to your gut health because they act as prebiotics and contain soluble and insoluble fiber, which are both good for your gut.

Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. [6] Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them.

Oats can be a fantastic gut-friendly food as part of a healthy, varied diet. Here are four of their digestion-boosting benefits. Most simple of all, the high fibre content of oats helps us have regular and healthy bowel movements.

One cup of oats contains a little over 8 grams of fiber. "If you have a sensitive stomach, the fiber in the oatmeal may cause you to experience bloating and gas," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Does oatmeal cause inflammation? ›

“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.

No More Worrying about Calories

A cup of oats delivered 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber to help lower body weight, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It also provided health-building minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium.

Whole-grain oats: Best bet for lowering cholesterol.

Cons of oatmeal for diabetes

Eating oatmeal can spike blood sugar levels if you choose instant oatmeal, laden with added sugar, or consume too much at one time. Oatmeal can have negative effects for those who also have gastroparesis, which is delayed gastric emptying.

Compared with the controls, oats intake significantly reduced the concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (MD, −0.42%; 95% CI, −0.61% to −0.23%), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD, −0.39 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.58 to −0.19 mmol/L), total cholesterol (TC) (MD, −0.49 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.86 to −0.12 mmol/L), low- ...

While you may want to lower your A1C levels overnight, that can't happen. It took months for your A1C to get where it is. It will take months to lower. Instead of looking for a quick fix, eat healthily and exercise regularly.

Steel-cut oats are less processed and can bring down sugar and cholesterol levels faster, say dieticians.

They are low in calories and have only 1.5 grams of fat. The benefits of eating oatmeal include lowering your risk of heart disease and colorectal cancer. Whole grains like oats can also help reduce blood pressure and aid in digestion. Oatmeal can definitely be part of a healthy diet.

Eating oatmeal 3 times a day may help you lose weight. Oats are filling and low in calories, so they can be beneficial for those trying to lose or maintain their weight. Additionally, oats contain soluble fiber which helps to reduce cholesterol levels and inflammation in the body.

Risks of the oatmeal diet

While oats and oatmeal are very filling and may help you lose weight, it is a very restrictive eating plan and does not provide the nutrients that a person needs on a daily basis. The oatmeal diet is a very low-calorie diet that may not be safe for everyone to maintain a healthy diet.

Which brand oats is best? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

Rolled oats (old fashioned oats)

They are still good from a blood sugar perspective, but some people will see more of a blood sugar increase. Since they have been processed, it only takes 2-5 minutes to cook oatmeal with rolled oats. You can also use rolled oats in a variety of other dishes as a replacement for flour.

Rolled oats tend to be slightly higher in nutrients like fibre and protein, and have a slightly lower glycemic index compared to quick oats. This is due to the higher amounts of processing that quick oats undergo.

Oatmeal contains a healthy mixture of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and plant-based protein that makes it beneficial for weight loss. A half-cup of dry Old Fashioned Quaker Oats contains 150 calories, three grams of fat, 27 grams of carbohydrates, five grams of protein, and one gram of naturally occurring sugar.

Oatmeal can cause digestive issues for some, including gas, bloating and abdominal discomfort. This may be due to the presence of gluten or not digesting oats properly. Additionally, oatmeal is high in calories and carbohydrates so people who are trying to lose weight should be careful how much they consume.

And while it's a great whole grain offering, oatmeal can be a problem if you have stomach issues, especially individuals with certain gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel disease. One cup of oats contains a little over 8 grams of fiber.

Oats may also contain gluten, the sticky substance found in many grains. Gluten-related issues are on the rise. And gluten sensitivity can lead to over 100 different symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and brain fog.

Interactions. Oat bran may decrease absorption of medications. There are reports of decreased absorption of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and iron with oat bran ingestion.

Go With the Grain

Whole grains lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. CRP is a marker of inflammation associated with heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Foods like oatmeal, brown rice and whole-grain cereals are excellent sources of whole grains.

Which oats is best for weight loss? ›

If you are particularly trying to shed kilos, steel-cut oats are better as they contain a high amount of fiber. The fiber content in it can keep you fuller for a longer time and control cravings for unhealthy food items. Eating fiber-rich food also improves the count of healthy gut bacteria.

Oats contain lots of fibre. Fibres are carbohydrates you don't break down and absorb. This makes fibre good for your gut because it feeds your gut bacteria (instead of you). But too much fibre might cause gas and bloating.

Drink Plenty of Water: Drinking lots of water while eating oatmeal is essential for proper digestion and can help prevent gas after eating. Staying hydrated will also ensure that your oats are fully cooked so they aren't too hard or chewy, which can trigger gas-producing bacteria in the stomach.

When soaked overnight, the starch present in the oats is naturally broken down and more nutrients are absorbed by the oats through the period of soaking, the acid present in the oats also breaks down overnight and this results in better digestion. Due to its soggy texture, it is much easier to consume in the morning.

If you are particularly trying to shed kilos, steel-cut oats are better as they contain a high amount of fiber. The fiber content in it can keep you fuller for a longer time and control cravings for unhealthy food items. Eating fiber-rich food also improves the count of healthy gut bacteria.

Steel cut oats are particularly rich in resistant starch and fiber, both of which may support weight loss, heart health, blood sugar control, and digestion. They're also a good source of iron and plant protein.

Eating steel cut oats every day? Not a bad idea if you want to control your blood sugar levels. One small study found that consuming high fiber foods, like oats, might be associated with a decreased risk of diabetes. Further research also links oat intake with lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Try steel-cut oats.

"Choose minimally-processed oats such as steel-cut or old-fashioned types for the most fiber and least amount of sodium," says Brenda Braslow, MS and Registered Dietitian with MyNetDiary. "You can cook them to eat hot or making overnight oats by preparing the night before.

Oats are super rich in fibre content, which helps you remain full and prevent overeating and binge-eating. Proteins keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent insulin spikes that may lead to fat storage. Oats are super low in calories, making them great for aiding weight loss.

And it's chock-full of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. Yes, we're talking about oatmeal. It's no wonder it's often recommended as a go-to breakfast option for weight loss, and more specifically, shrinking belly fat.