The Benefits of Oatmeal

Photo By Claudia Piu

High in carbohydrates, protein and fat oatmeal is a nice warm breakfast for the cold days during the fall and winter seasons. As an adaptogenic food, oatmeal naturally improves resistance to stress and helps relieve anxiety and calm down the mind.

Oatmeal can also be a healthy choice for those affected with high cholesterol or any heart disease because of the oats high content of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps lowering the levels of low-density lipoprotein, also known as LDL cholesterol by diminishing the re-absorption of cholesterol from the digestive track into the blood stream, therefore eliminating it from the body...

Oat is the grain that most people consumed in its whole state. Most other grains, specially rice and wheat are consumed after being refined and therfore having their most nutritious part removed. Oats can be usually found for sale in 4 different forms:


- Instant or quick oats: oats are precooked in water, dried and rolled super thin. This process reduces the nutrition content and flavor and makes the flakes more vulnerable to rancidity. 

- Rolled oats: the oats are steamed then pressed between two rollers.

- Steel-Cut oats or Irish Oats: the oats are also steamed to remove their inedible outer hulls, then cut into 2 or 3 pieces. This oat requires less cooking time than whole oats.

- Whole oats or Oat Groats: also steamed to get rid of the outer hull, but retains the bran and germ. It stored well and takes the longer to cook.

Here's a great recipe for an delicious oatmeal done with steel-cut oats. 

-->

Steel Cut Oatmeal 

yield: 4-6 portions 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole grain oats
• 4 cups filtered water
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• 1/3 chopped nuts (almond, pecan, walnuts)
• Goji Berries to Garnish

Procedure:

Wash oats under cold water. Soak them overnight to reduce the phytic acid. If you don't have the time, you can simple toast them in the pan before adding water. The phytates are also reduced by the toasting process. 

Place the oats in a pot over high heat. Add water and bring it to a boil. Add the salt and lower the heat to simmer for 45min uncovered. Stir frequently to avoid the oats to stick to the pot. When it’s done add the nuts and coconut, stir well and garnish with goji berries to serve.