Eat All-Natural Oatmeal for Good Cholesterol
In the earlier part of the twentieth century, people ate all-natural oatmeal because it was inexpensive, readily available, and satisfied the appetite. Families had the time to indulge in a warm bowl of creamy oatmeal because mom was home to prepare it as part of her motherly responsibilities.
As sugared cereals began to take over the shelves in supermarkets, natural oatmeal got pushed to the end of the aisle. It quickly became forgotten as colorful plastic toys attracted the eyes of young children who clamored to their mothers for Rice Honey Cereal with the toy premium inside the box. What small boy or little girl would still want homemade oatmeal when they could have the chance to see a red, yellow, blue, green, purple, or orange Winnie the Pooh slide-on-pencil-topper toy shake out of the box along with the cereal?
What Do Instant Oatmeal Packets Have That All-Natural Oatmeal Does Not?
Even instant oatmeal packets filled with approximately 170 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of saturated fat (in a single packet of Apples & Cinnamon flavored oatmeal) began to take over and replace the steamy bowl of all-natural oatmeal. Yes, it does taste good, but is instant oatmeal as good for you as all-natural oatmeal? Does it offer the same benefits?
While they do provide dietary fiber (approximately 3 grams), instant oatmeal packets offer salt and sugar that you won’t find in all-natural oatmeal, and they contain approximately twice as much saturated fat.
Eat All-Natural Oatmeal in the Morning and Get These Benefits
According to many sources, including the Mayo Clinic, natural oatmeal contains soluble fiber (beta-glucan fiber) that lowers bad cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein) in the body. Excessive levels of LDL are responsible for increasing an individual’s risk of developing heart disease.
Eating all-natural oatmeal boosts your immune system. Its fiber content enables your body’s system to fight off infections by strengthening your non-specific immune cells.
All-natural oatmeal stabilizes blood sugar because it is so rich in fiber. Therefore, eating a huge bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal in the morning gets your blood sugar off to a good start that lasts all day long. It prevents the mid-morning dive in your energy level that is experienced so often when you choose to eat foods containing refined sugar. As a result, eating all-natural oatmeal nearly every morning can help to prevent type 2 diabetes. In particular, since it contains high levels of magnesium, a substance the body uses to regulate the secretion of insulin and glucose, it reduces your risk considerably. If you enjoy milk in your oatmeal, use fat-free milk and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes even more.
Eating all-natural oatmeal helps to protect your good cholesterol levels. It contains antioxidants (avenanthramides) that protect your good cholesterol from the ravages of free radicals. This also helps to prevent the development of heart disease.
If you are like most people who hate cleaning the pot after cooking oatmeal on the stove, just follow the directions for microwaving it. Add a few dried cranberries and you have a nutritious breakfast that keeps you heart healthy.
Comments (5)
Thank you for this great reminder about a time-honored way to start the day with a fiber-filled favorite. When time permits, I like to top oatmeal with chunks of sauteed apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I once had oatmeal creme brullee for breakfast at a fancy restaurant.
I have oatmeal made with coconut milk, cinnamon and honey, delishhhhhhh!!!!!
I eat my oatmeal with ground flax seed, cinnamon, honey, walnuts and blueberries. Yum!
I eat my oatmeal with cinnamon, honey and blueberries every morning! The rewards in nutrition far outweigh the cooking time!
I use the old fashion oatmeal, cook it in the microwave - quick as the packets. I only put marg. & sugar on it and it is wonderful. Have lost weight and am now off of bloodpressure meds and colesteral meds too. Simple, fast and delis. Think of my grandparents when I eat it.
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