Oats with Milk | What’s the Healthiest Breakfast? Here’s What the Experts Say | TIME.com (2024)

Cristina Rivera, a registered dietician and president of Nutrition In Motion PC, relies on breakfast for training recovery. “I work long hours and I am training for a marathon, I rely on this meal to provide me with the energy I need to get me through days jam-packed with work and intense training regimes,” says Rivera.

According to Rivera, ourmuscles and brain need fuel immediately upon waking. Neglecting to eat breakfast will force your body to break down glycogen — stored energy in muscle used during exercise — so it can fuel up. This results in less available energy and can lead to sugar cravings later in the day.

(MORE: Eating a Big Breakfast Doesn’t Cut Daily Calories)

“For an athlete, this translates into an inability to perform to your potential and an increased risk of injury. For those who are weight conscious, eating within an hour of waking up stimulates metabolism, which means you burn more calories throughout the day,” says Rivera.

After eating a small snack and going on a run, Rivera cooks herself a breakfast of a half-cup of oats with 1 cup of skim milk. “Raw oats are minimally processed, contain energy producing B vitamins and are a great source of carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen after a run. I make it with milk instead of water so that I have the added benefits of calcium, vitamin D and protein to aide in muscle growth and recovery.”

(MORE:5 Ways to Get Oatmeal in Your Diet, Deliciously)

For flavor, she addscinnamon, 2 tablespoons of dried cranberries and 2 tablespoons of sliced raw almonds to her oatmeal. “The cranberries are loaded with antioxidants, which counteract oxidative stress that happens to your body during an intense workout,” says Rivera. “Almonds are high in omega-3s, which is a heart-healthy fat known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Adding foods rich in omega-3s to your recovery meal decreases muscle soreness and decreases your risk of injury.”

Next Sprouted Grain Toast with Almond Butter

Oats with Milk | What’s the Healthiest Breakfast? Here’s What the Experts Say | TIME.com (2024)

FAQs

Oats with Milk | What’s the Healthiest Breakfast? Here’s What the Experts Say | TIME.com? ›

“Raw oats are minimally processed, contain energy producing B vitamins and are a great source of carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen after a run. I make it with milk instead of water so that I have the added benefits of calcium, vitamin D and protein to aide in muscle growth and recovery.”

Is oats and milk a healthy breakfast? ›

Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.

What is wrong with eating oatmeal every morning? ›

Is oatmeal safe to eat for everyone? Oatmeal is likely safe for most people, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, when consumed as food. However, it may cause gas and bloating in some. Hence, instead of eating a cup or bowl of oatmeal, start with a quarter cup and increase slowly to the intended amount.

Why oats are not good for breakfast? ›

"If you eat oatmeal made with whole milk or cream, you are making your heart-healthy bowl of oats, no longer heart-healthy. Instead, you are increasing the amount of saturated fat, which is directly linked to increasing one's bad LDL-cholesterol," says Ehsani.

What happens to your stomach if you eat oatmeal every day? ›

The Bottom Line

Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Is eating raw oats with milk healthy? ›

Though raw oats are safe to eat, it's recommended to soak them in water, juice, milk, or a nondairy milk alternative to avoid some unwanted side effects. Eating dry raw oats could lead them to build up in your stomach or intestines, resulting in indigestion or constipation.

What are the disadvantages of eating oatmeal? ›

Oats are a good source of carbohydrates and overeating may lead to an increase in your weight. As it is bland in nature, overconsuming oats may lead to an increase in sugar intake. Opting for an oats-only diet may deprive your body of getting nourishment from other healthy food sources.

Should I eat eggs and oatmeal for breakfast? ›

Should I eat eggs or oatmeal for breakfast? Both are good choices, in fact you'd do well to have them both. The protein and fat in eggs will help keep you full, just as the fibre in the oats, and the slow-release carbohydrates from the oats will give you steady energy until lunchtime.

What is the healthiest way to eat oatmeal for breakfast? ›

Additions to make it healthier
  1. a couple of spoonfuls of nut butter, nuts, or seeds.
  2. a scoop of protein powder.
  3. beaten egg whites (mixed into oatmeal while cooking) or a fried egg on top.
  4. shredded cheese.
  5. Greek yogurt.
Apr 19, 2022

Do oats cause gut inflammation? ›

Their results have outlined that oats are a valuable source of nutrients without gut inflammation, but other aspects, such as noninflammatory associated symptoms and the benefits of modulating the gut microbiome, have not been studied.

What are the side effects of too much oat milk? ›

Oat milk may cause side effects like gas and bloat. Additionally, it may also interact with medications used for diabetes and may cause the blood sugar levels to go too low.

Why do cardiologists say not to eat oatmeal? ›

According to Cardiologist, Dr Wolfson, oats hold no nutritional value and contain anti-nutrient properties. He says, "I never recommend eating oatmeal, certainly not every day as so many people do."

Why do some doctors say oatmeal is bad for you? ›

Rather, the science overwhelmingly shows that oats can be beneficial for your health in many ways. One line of reasoning used to argue oats aren't healthy is that eating them can lead to spikes in blood sugar (glucose). This seems to be linked to the rising use of glucose monitors by people who don't have diabetes.

What is the healthiest breakfast? ›

The healthiest breakfast foods include a protein, healthy fat and source of carbohydrates, according to Smolen. For a healthy breakfast, consider eating foods like oatmeal with nut butter, avocado toast with an egg, chia seed pudding or a greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries.

What does oatmeal do to your bowels? ›

Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, particularly soluble fiber. As a result, it helps add moisture to the stool, which makes it softer and easier to pass. Other high-fiber foods like fruits, nuts and seeds pair well with oatmeal and could increase the meal's or snack's constipation-relieving benefits.

How many times a week is it safe to eat oatmeal? ›

People should start with oatmeal two to four times a week and work their way up to daily servings, he says. It may be beneficial to have a large glass of water with oatmeal to help move the fiber through the GI tract to reduce bloating and stomach pain.

Is Quaker oatmeal healthy? ›

Whole Grain is the #1 ingredient in this product

Whole grains provide a good source of fiber, B vitamins and iron. They may also reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes and are linked to lower body weight.

Is it better to eat oats with milk or without milk? ›

Instant oats don't require water. You can simply cook them in milk. Rolled oats and steel cut oats require water so they soften and give a creamy texture.

Can you eat cold oatmeal? ›

If you want to eat them cold, give it a good stir once you take it out of the fridge and enjoy! Making overnight oats in a big bowl with a lid is a pretty cool way to do them. This is if you don't want to make individual servings like when using the mason jar.

Are Quaker old fashioned oats rolled oats? ›

Quaker® Old Fashioned Oats are whole oats that are rolled to flatten them. Quaker® Steel Cut Oats are whole oats that have not been rolled into flakes. Instead, they are cut approximately into thirds. Quick Quaker® Oats are simply cut into slightly smaller pieces so they cook faster.

What to avoid in oatmeal? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  • Chocolate chips or other candy.
  • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes.
  • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

What is the 7 day oatmeal diet? ›

To follow this 7-day diet, people start off with eating just oatmeal for all three meals of the day for the first two days, followed by eating oatmeal for at least two meals of the day for the next two days. Finally, dieters consume oatmeal for just one meal of the day for the remaining three days.

Can I eat oats with milk for weight loss? ›

Helps In Weight Loss: Oat milk is low in calories and fat, making it a great choice for people who are trying to lose weight. Oatmeal for weight loss is also high in fiber, which can help keep you feeling full for longer periods. It reduces the need for snacking, supporting weight loss.

Can I eat oats with milk in morning empty stomach? ›

It helps you lose weight: For that reason, you should eat it on an empty stomach or with breakfast, along with skim or soy milk, orange juice, or nuts. ... It is a huge ally in beauty treatments: You can take advantage of the properties of oat meal besides just eating it.

Are oats a good breakfast for weight loss? ›

Research shows that beta-glucan can help balance blood sugar levels, working to prevent spikes and crashes that may drive up your appetite. This means that eating oats may help you manage your appetite and avoid overeating, which in turn can support weight loss.

Is oatmeal with oat milk healthy? ›

Oat milk contains a good quantity of fatty acids, protein, minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and a variety of micronutrients and provides several health benefits, as it reduces blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and prevents cancer (Jeske et al., 2018). Therefore, oats are a promising alternative to traditional milk.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6423

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.