How Healthy Is Oatmeal?
Oatmeal is nature’s perfect energy source. Add fresh berries, crunchy nuts or maple syrup for an amazing breakfast loaded with fiber and nutrients to kick start your day off right!
Oatmeal is gluten-free and an excellent source of protein. Additionally, its whole grain components help lower heart disease risk.
Good source of fiber
Breakfast doesn’t get much healthier than Quaker oatmeal – packed with complex carbs and fiber, plus vitamins and minerals! A bowl of Quaker oatmeal makes an excellent way to improve heart health, immunity, blood sugar regulation and nutritional toppings all while remaining cost effective and easy to make! Plus it’s inexpensive too – perfect!
Oatmeal is a nutritious whole-grain cereal packed with soluble fiber that can promote regularity and help keep a healthy digestive system. According to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this fiber helps promote regularity as it helps slow digestion time; ultimately extending feeling full for longer. For optimal results when enjoying oatmeal as part of a breakfast routine, pairing it with unpeeled berries, nuts or apples as sources of soluble fiber is recommended for maximum benefits.
Quaker Oats are an excellent source of dietary fiber, helping to prevent constipation. Additionally, these cereals are high in vitamin B6 and iron which have been found to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol while increasing blood flow to the brain and muscles, according to research from the American Heart Association. Incorporating more fiber-rich foods can also lower high blood pressure risks as well as type 2 diabetes risks.
Oatmeal may provide some health benefits, but it still contains plenty of sugar – for instance, Apple Cinnamon flavor contains over 12 grams per serving and many artificial flavors and colors which could cause inflammation.
Quaker Oats have long been a part of American diets for generations and can be found at every grocery store across the nation. Not only are oats a good source of fiber and other important vitamins and minerals like B6, potassium and iron but Quaker offers instant oatmeal options as well.
Good source of protein
Quaker oatmeal provides 4 grams of protein and is an excellent source of energy, as well as being an excellent source of soluble fiber that can improve digestive health and lower cholesterol. Plus, this gluten-free whole grain product boasts essential vitamins and minerals and allows you to easily customize it by adding fresh fruit, toasted nuts, maple syrup or cinnamon! Enjoy breakfasting on this nutritious treat to start the day right if you are trying to lose weight!
Quaker Oats was founded in Ohio in 1877 by Robert Stuart and Henry Parsons Crowell, when they acquired the American Cereal Company, which manufactured oat and wheat cereals, hominy meal, corn meal, and animal feed. By 1901, however, the name changed to Quaker Oats Company with production expanding further – even creating instant oatmeal! Today it is owned by PepsiCo as one of its global food manufacturers.
Quaker Oats Company was an industry leader when it comes to corn chips and Frito-Lay salty snacks in addition to oatmeal production, pioneering instant flavor oatmeal formulation. Wilford Brimley featured prominently in Quaker ads promoting consumption.
Quaker oatmeal can be enjoyed most deliciously when served with fresh berries, which also offer additional protein and calcium benefits. To boost its soluble fiber content, try chia seeds or ground flax for additional soluble fiber content; or for an added splash of flavor add some swirled nut butter or drops of chocolate!
Oatmeal with B vitamins is packed full of benefits for heart and bone health, plus potassium is vital to heart function and bone maintenance. Furthermore, vitamin A provides both visual clarity and immune support.
Quaker oatmeal may seem less unhealthy than its competitors due to its higher fiber and lower oil usage; however, this version still packs plenty of saturated fat that’s bad for heart health.
Good source of potassium
Quaker oatmeal’s oats are an excellent source of potassium. A single serving provides 130 milligrams, which helps maintain blood pressure and heart health while simultaneously supporting digestive health and reducing cholesterol. Dietary fiber also plays an integral part in supporting digestive wellness and cholesterol reduction, so it is crucial that adults consume plenty of potassium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats – the recommended daily allowance being 4,700 milligrams.
Oatmeal contains high levels of phosphorus, which can interfere with kidney function. Therefore, if you suffer from kidney disease or are on a low-potassium diet it’s wise to opt for other sources of potassium like fruits and vegetables such as bananas, apricots, raisins or dates to add to your oatmeal for increased nutritional benefit. Furthermore, cooking it in milk rather than water will give even higher intake levels of this essential nutrient.
While Quaker oatmeal’s oats contain high levels of potassium, certain flavors contain far more sugar. For instance, Cinnamon & Spice contains over 15 grams of added sugar – more than twice what’s recommended by the American Heart Association as daily limits!
Quaker Oats with Blueberries & Spices, featuring less than 10 grams of sugar per cup, are another healthy breakfast choice. Made with quinoa, amaranth and oats as super grains along with dried blueberries, chia seeds and cinnamon; plus it also boasts Vitamin C and antioxidant benefits!
Boost the protein in your oatmeal with the help of chia seeds and berries – both are excellent sources of this essential nutrient – to stay satiated longer while the omega-3 rich chia seeds add a healthy dose of omega-3s that are good for heart and brain health.
Quaker Oats attempted to make their oatmeal more kid-friendly in the 1990s by creating products such as Dinosaur Eggs and Treasure Hunt. Although no longer sold, these popular items proved very successful at increasing sales – and even featured actor Wilford Brimley who appeared in commercials featuring Quaker Oats products!
Good source of iron
Oatmeal is an excellent source of iron, and can be combined with a variety of healthy ingredients such as fruit, nuts or yogurt for a nutritious breakfast option. Plus, oatmeal offers numerous other vitamins and minerals like potassium, manganese and magnesium! Plus it boasts high amounts of soluble fiber which may help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels; The American Heart Association suggests including at least three servings of whole grains into your weekly diet!
According to the Quaker Oat Company, one cup of instant Quaker oatmeal provides 40 percent of your recommended daily iron intake – equivalent to 40% of the RDA! In addition, Quaker oatmeal is fortified with vitamin A which promotes eye and immune health as well as calcium, phosphorus and potassium for added nutrition.
Quaker oatmeal offers another distinct advantage in the form of its dietary fiber content, which slows sugar absorption and can make you feel fuller for easier weight loss. According to WebMD, fiber also reduces risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease – one cup of Quaker oatmeal provides about 11 percent of recommended daily fiber intake!
Oatmeal’s nutritional qualities could have inspired their logo, depicting a friendly person serving up a steaming bowl. Perhaps that explains why their business has thrived for so long?
Prior to 1997, foods weren’t allowed to make specific claims about their health benefits, but this changed when Quaker Oats received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to advertise that including oatmeal in your daily diet can lower your risk of heart disease.
Oatmeal may have an excellent reputation as a healthy food, but not all oat products are created equal. Some may contain high amounts of sodium, sugar and saturated fat while others contain less of these nutrients while being higher in soluble fiber content. Furthermore, getting all your iron intake solely through oats should be avoided to prevent hemochromatosis deficiency – something many other sources cannot.