Oatmeal...Rolled Oats

Here's some info on how oatmeal is good for you:

~ Studies show that eating oatmeal may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

~ The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a considerable amount of water which significantly slows down your digestive process. This result is that you'll feel full longer, thus oatmeal can help you control your weight.

~ New research suggests that eating oatmeal may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes eat grains like oats. The soluble fiber in these foods help to control blood glucose levels.

~ According to recent studies, a diet that includes oatmeal may help reduce high blood pressure. The reduction is linked to the increase in soluble fiber provided by oatmeal. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn.

~ Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron.

~ The fiber and other nutrients found in oatmeal may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers.

~ Oatmeal is quick and convenient. Every type of oatmeal can be prepared in a microwave oven. Even when cooked on the stovetop, both old-fashioned and quick oats can usually be made in less than 10 minutes.

Here's recipes using oatmeal ~
http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/rec...=

Go with steel cut oats. It's the oat before the roll out the seed and refine it (ie: retains some nutrients).

You can cook them up on the stove or in a crock pot. I cook them and have them ready for a whole week. You can just slice/scoop out your morning serving.
Try them with:
-syrup
-mix a tsp of vanilla in while you cook them, and add cinnamon when you prepare
-mix in a handful of walnuts or almonds
-mix in your favorite yogurt to add flavor
-agave nectar

all of these are considered "clean" in the eating world. Meaning, low fat, low cholesterol and will keep you full until lunch time.

I know that steel cut oats are supposed to be the best.

In the 'Paleo' world, oats are not good for you. Grains are known to cause inflammation in the body, which can set you up for a whole host of diseases from heart disease to autoimmune diseases :/

Oatmeal is excellent for you. It is low in fat, has excellent slow releasing carbs, has great fibre, is great for reducing cholesterol reabsorption and is a wonderful, wonderful source of energy. My dietician raves about it. She says it's best to eat full oats rather than quick oats (although these are pretty good too), as the full oats help 'cleanse your system' better.

I eat them for breakfast with cinnamon (also great for you) and sliced banana. I also mix them into muffins with fruit, and into fruit smoothies.

Cook's Thesaurus on Oats: http://www.foodsubs.com/GrainOats.html

I would not reccommend the flavored packaged instant oats, if you are looking for healthy - go with whole grain rolled or steel cut/irish oats and add your own flavor with fresh or dried fruits, berries, spices and even pureed squash, sweet potato or pumpkin! Rolled oats can be baked (mixed with liquid in a cake pan) or boiled, steel cut do better being boiled, as they are even less processed, and need the liquid to really soak in and soften the grain.

Don't let the people saying they are bad for you scare you away, unless you have celiac disease or some other health issue which makes your body react badly to grains, in moderation, whole grains can be a great part of your daily diet.

I have some great recipes....

http://www.beckybakes.net/2010/05/25/blueberry-baked-oatm...

http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2010/12/baked-banan...

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/03/22/banana-bread-...

PEACH BAKED OATMEAL

from Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook: All-Purpose, Welcome-Home Recipes

Makes 8-10 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 35 minutes

½ cup oil

4 eggs

1-1½ cups sugar, depending on your taste preference

3 cups dry rolled, oatmeal

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 pint fresh, or canned, peaches, chopped (if canned, reserve liquid)

2 cups milk

1. In large mixing bowl, combine oil, eggs, and sugar. Blend together well.

2. Add dry oats, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Blend thoroughly.

3. If using fresh peaches, stir into batter, along with 2 cups water.

If using canned peaches, drain peaches, reserving juice. Add water to peach juice to make 2 cups. Add both peaches and 2 cups liquid to batter.

4. Add milk to batter.

5. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm with milk. This will serve a family of 6 at least! Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated later!

.
PUMPKIN OATMEAL on the stove

2 C milk

1/4-1/2 C (to taste) cup packed brown sugar

1/2 C canned pumpkin or sweet potato puree ( or more to taste)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

1 C craisins or raisins

2 C old fashioned oats

Put all ingredients except oats in a saucepan, wisk together, as you bring to a soft boil. Stir in Oats, lower heat, and simmer for 3-4 minutes till oats are soft and creamy.

Serve with applesauce and or apple butter for cooling off and/or sweetness, and to get another food group in, or be boring and just pour milk on it! Serves 4.

.

I love the flavor of cooked oats with butter and brown sugar and a little milk, but they make me bleed, sooo.... I can't enjoy things like oat bran muffins or even the Aveeno bath soak made with oats. I've always been a grains-and-nuts kind fo girl...whole wheat.... It wreaks havoc on my innards. What's healthy for one isn't necessarily healthy for all. Do research for your own body.