Why You Should Never Cook Oatmeal In Milk - Tasting Table (2024)

Why You Should Never Cook Oatmeal In Milk - Tasting Table (4)

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ByJen Peng/

Having a good breakfast is important, providing you with the energy and focus you need to tackle your day, explains the Cleveland Clinic. After all, you're literally breaking your fast, and you should make it count with something that is nutritious yet delicious. For many, oatmeal fits the bill. Naturally gluten-free and packed with nutritious vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, oatmeal is also a good source of carbs, protein, and fiber, which will keep you feeling full for longer, explains Healthline. It also offers a wealth of health benefits, including improving gut and heart health and helping with cholesterol, blood sugar and weight control, according to WebMD.

And although it's somewhat plain on its own, you can dress up oatmeal in many different ways — try adding some fruit for flavor and texture, some nuts for crunch, some honey or maple syrup for sweetness, or even savory ingredients. Oatmeal comes in varieties like steel cut, rolled, and instant and can be prepared in a microwave, slow cooker, in a jar overnight, or in a pot on the stovetop. Most people use water to cook their oats, though other options are available. What you should never use, though, is milk.

Cooking oatmeal in milk leads to an unpleasant texture

Why You Should Never Cook Oatmeal In Milk - Tasting Table (5)

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According to The Kitchn, cooking oats in milk will result in oatmeal that is "gluey, sticky, and thick," in other words, all the things most people want to avoid when it comes to their oatmeal. That doesn't mean you need to avoid milk entirely, you just don't want to use milk to cook the oats in. Instead, Bon Appétit recommends adding a splash of milk to your bowl, after your oatmeal has been cooked. That way, you will get the extra creamy flavor from the milk, without the unpleasant stickiness.

What you should alsoadd to your oatmeal is a pinch of salt, at the start of the cooking process to really bring out the nutty flavor of the oats. For a more custardy texture, tryelevating your oatmeal with an egg, whisked and slow-cooked together with the oatmeal once the liquid has been absorbed by the oats. Or, trytransforming the flavor profile of your oatmeal with tea, and adding different ingredients to enhance the subtle flavor of whichever type of tea you used for cooking the oatmeal instead of water.

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Why You Should Never Cook Oatmeal In Milk - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Never Cook Oatmeal In Milk - Tasting Table? ›

Cooking oats in milk will result in oatmeal that is gluey, sticky, and thick --- in other words, all the things most people want to avoid when it comes to their oatmeal. Instead, adding a splash of milk after the oatmeal is cooked will add its extra creamy flavor without the unpleasant stickiness.

Is it better to cook oatmeal in milk or water? ›

Simple tip #1: Make oatmeal with milk (or a non-dairy alternative) versus water. Not only does oatmeal made with water taste way less delicious, but you're also missing out on the extra protein staying power that milk will add to the breakfast. Water will also make the oats more gummy instead of creamy.

Is oatmeal cooked with milk healthy? ›

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.

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

Blood sugar spikes

This can be a concern for people trying to manage their weight or those with diabetes since oats can quickly raise blood sugar levels if eaten in large amounts.

Does oatmeal with milk taste good? ›

Oatmeal is usually tastier with milk than water because milk adds creaminess and flavor.

How to make oatmeal with milk without burning it? ›

Cook until the water evaporates/reduces down and the oats are partially cooked. Add the milk and raise the heat to bring it to a boil (or allow it to come to simmer on its own). Then lower the heat and allow it to simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir every so often so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

Should I microwave oats with milk or water? ›

Pour in the milk of your choice or water and, with the help of a spoon, quickly mix the oats. Microwave on high for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Stop, stir and restart the microwave if the oats flood while cooking. Enjoy with your favorite toppings.

Why do cardiologist say not to eat oatmeal? ›

Dr Wolfson went on to say oatmeal has 'no nutritional value' and 'contains a lot of anti-nutrients' but did not provide any examples. Instead, he urged viewers to opt for eggs at breakfast rather than oats.

Why is it not good to eat oatmeal everyday? ›

Oats contain phytic acid, an antinutrient that is known to interfere with the absorption of the vitamins and minerals from oats into your body. So, you need to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet to make up for the possible nutritional loss.

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.

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

What is the healthiest way to eat oatmeal? ›

The bottom line

Adding nutritious toppings to oatmeal can boost its flavor and contribute to its health benefits. Try adding fruit for sweetness, veggies or eggs for a savory twist, or sources of protein and fat to make it a balanced meal.

What milk is best for oatmeal? ›

You can cook oatmeal with just water. The taste is about the same but with less calories. If you still want to use some kind of milk, try soymilk, oatmilk or nutmilk. I do it all the time.

Is it better to soak oats in water or milk? ›

Can I use water instead of milk in overnight oats? Yes, but the results may be pretty bland in flavor. Milk adds a creaminess as well. But water will work if you prefer to use it in place of a milk option.

Can I substitute water for milk in oatmeal? ›

Some people might disagree with me but yes, you can! The addition of milk to overnight oats creates a creamy texture whereas water won't add any creaminess but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

What dish of oatmeal or cereal boiled in water or milk? ›

Porridge is a thick sticky food made from oats cooked in water or milk and eaten hot, especially for breakfast.

Is water with oatmeal healthy? ›

Oats water can prove beneficial in keeping the heart healthy. Several studies have shown that oats water can help improve the good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. Along with this, it lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL). Its regular consumption can reduce the risk of heart diseases.

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