Romi Londre, a dietitian with the Mayo Clinic Health System based in Wisconsin, in the United States, describes the benefits of having oatmeal in your diet.
Oatmeal is a nutritious, inexpensive and versatile way to incorporate whole grains into your diet and help you start your morning off right.
Oats made history when they became the first food with a US Food and Drug Administration health claim label in 1997. This claim was related to heart health and showed that eating whole oat products lowered blood cholesterol levels . Why oats are so healthy
US dietitian Romi Londre says oats make you feel fuller longer, slow the release of blood glucose, and are a great source of many minerals. Photo: Mayo Clinic Health System Oats contain a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes . Beta-glucan also promotes healthy gut bacteria and intestinal health.
Eating oatmeal regularly can have weight-management benefits, too. Half a cup of rolled oats cooked in a cup of water has 165 calories, 4 grams of fibre and 6 grams of protein.
Oats’ fibre and protein content contribute to feeling full longer and slowing the release of blood glucose.
Oats are also an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, copper, thiamine and zinc. Know your oat types
Explainer | Why oats and oatmeal make a healthy breakfast, and 2 ways to prepare them
