Is eating OATMEAL every day good for you?
I would have to say yes.
There are a lot of folks out there who think you have to be an old guy to start eating it.
Nope.
I’ve been eating it for over 30 years and am still not sick of it.
It’s easy to prepare and tastes pretty good if you fix it right.
I saw this video where a medical doctor is stating that eating oatmeal is bad for you.
Well that got me interested, because I eat oatmeal every day.
In fact, if I miss a day, my bowel movement sometimes changes.
I’ve noticed not too many people want to talk about that, but if you are over 60, it can mean a difference in how your day goes.
I have found enough information to keep me eating it every day.
Even Mayo Clinic has recipes for it. Mayo Oatmeal Recipe
Eating oats every day will also promote healthier skin due to the vitamins and minerals it contains.
Minerals
Zinc helps remove toxins and cleanses the skin.
Zinc is also one of the main ingredients in cold remedies, such as Zicam.
Iron keeps moisture in your body’s cells.
Manganese reduces inflammation of the skin.
Magnesium promotes skin cell repair.
Phosphorus – this helps with calcium balance in your body.
Building Blocks
Protein
1 cup of Original Oatmeal has 150 calories and 6 grams of protein.
As you get older, you need more protein for muscle growth.
Throw in a couple of eggs and you have decent amount of protein for that meal.
Carbohydrates
Yes, your body does need carbs for energy, especially if you are on an exercise routine.
I realize low carb diets are popular, but you still need some to function.
And by the way, weight loss gets down to burning more calories than you consume…simple math.
Fats
Fats are also an essential calorie source found in oatmeal.
After being broken down into fatty acids, they provide energy.
Loaded with antioxidants, oatmeal helps lower blood pressure.
It dilates blood vessels which increases blood circulation.
Weight Loss
Oatmeal makes you feel full, so you can go longer between eating your next meal.
You’ll eventually lose weight if you eat oatmeal every day, since it is filling and helps you stay at normal blood sugar levels.
This will also give your metabolism a jump.
Intermittent Fasting is an eating lifestyle I follow to keep my weight at a neutral balance.
Check out my link on Intermittent Fasting.
Also, a good exercise program is essential and this can be as easy as walking every day.
You should drink plenty of water throughout the day also.
This will cleanse your system and help take away the hunger cravings.
Fights Disease
Eating oatmeal every day will eliminate bad cholesterol in your body which in turn lowers your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
It protects you from the disease called atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque on your artery walls.
They have the healthy fats that protect your heart and circulatory system.
Digestion
Oatmeal has 20% of your recommended need for daily dietary fiber.
Constipation can happen to anyone who is not following a good diet.
It can lead to a possible build up of toxins in your body.
A lot of older folks will get constipated and take laxatives to take care of the problem.
They sometimes become dependent on the laxatives which is not healthy in the long run.
This happened to my father when he was in his 90’s and the doctor finally told him to stop and eat more oatmeal.
Oatmeal has Beta-Glucan, which is a good thing.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble gel like substance that is formed in your intestine and promotes good bacteria which helps in digestion.
Affordable
You can get a canister of oatmeal for under $3.00 if you buy the store brand.
I recently bought a 10 lb. box of Quaker Oats at Sam’s Club for about $10.00.
It should last a while.
Healthy
Reduces Type 2 Diabetes
Eating oatmeal every day for 2 months will lower your insulin levels.
It also controls your blood sugar, by slowing the absorption into your blood stream.
High Fiber Content
Heart Disease
Oats have a high fiber content and according to research, we need over 3 grams of soluble fiber a day to fight against heart disease.
High Cholesterol
Oatmeal every day will lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) and maintain the good cholesterol HDL.
The Center for Disease Control recommends oatmeal as one way to prevent high cholesterol
Types Of Oatmeal
Instant Oatmeal
These are 100% whole grain and usually come in some kind of presweetened package.
Since companies will add different sweeteners, I would suggest trying some of the other types first.
That way, you know what is being added.
Steel Cut
They are cut across the grain and have a nutty texture.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had these.
Quick 1-minute Oats
These are rolled thinner for faster cooking.
They tend to form a paste like texture to me so I stay away.
These are good for applying to the skin if you don’t grind your own for that purpose.
More on that later.
Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
My favorite style of oats.
These are fuller body and don’t clump up and are easy to prepare.
How to prepare.
You can fix Old Fashioned Oats on the cooktop or microwave.
I use the microwave because it’s easy and quick and works just as well for me.
Most people measure out their portion, but I just eyeball it since I’ve been doing it for years.
It’s probably about a half a cup.
I add water to cover the oats and put it in the microwave.
Microwaves have different power settings, so mine goes for 1 minute and 10 seconds until it is bubbling up.
You want to watch to make sure the oatmeal doesn’t overflow the bowl.
If you have a microwave, you can prepare any style of oatmeal.
The traditional way is stove top, but it’s a lot easier in the microwave.
Even the Old Fashioned rolled oats come out looking good.
Fruit Added
I like to add blueberries, strawberries, and a banana.
I buy fresh strawberries and blueberries and then put them in the freezer.
When you cook the oatmeal, remove the berries from the freezer and rinse them.
Throw some on top of the cooked oatmeal with a sliced banana.
I then scoop the oatmeal over the berries, because the heat will helps them thaw quicker.
It really sweetens the deal, but you may want to check with your doctor before adding anything.
I know brown sugar is popular, but that can add on the pounds and spike your insulin levels.
Another Use For Oatmeal
Skin Irritations are sometimes treated with oatmeal.
Check out the labels on some of the skin care products.
They usually have oatmeal listed as a source which have been approved by the FDA.
An oatmeal paste can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Use about a half a cup of finely ground oatmeal and add water.
You may want to use distilled water since the tap may contain contaminates that might bother your condition.
Mix it into a paste and apply it to the area that has the condition.
Cover it with a damp towel to keep it moist.
Oats are also used to treat acne, because of the antioxidants, which cleanse the skin of dead cells and remove oil and dirt from the pores.
Conclusion
So here is my take on the whole oatmeal thing.
Try eating oatmeal every day for a month.
See if you notice a difference in your physical condition.
If you don’t notice anything different, try it for another month.
If you do notice a positive outcome, keep up the practice.
When it’s all said and done, it’s just a good healthy habit to get into and your body will benefit from it.
Oatmeal is naturally gluten free, but sometimes can get stored with other grains which are not.
So if you have gluten issues, you may want to check the ingredients panel on the container.
If you have any side effects, check with your doctor or dietician.
Click this link to have Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Oatmeal delivered to you.