As the main ingredient of muesli or porridge, oat flakes have become an indispensable part of many breakfast tables. They are also an important component in sports nutrition, for example in muesli bars. Oat flakes are considered as a superfood and because they don’t have to be transported halfway around the world, they are more sustainable than other so-called superfoods, such as the exotic chia seeds, goji berries and acai.
But while it is quite clear that oat flakes have no exotic origin and have been used as food for centuries in our latitudes, the question remains: What exactly is oatmeal and where does it come from?
What are oat flakes?
As a cereal
product, oat flakes belong to the staple foods, which in addition to
cereals also include tubers, legumes and fruits. Since they are obtained from
the whole grain of seed oats, they are also considered whole grains.
During production,
the outer layers as well as the inedible parts of the oats are removed and what
remains is a high-quality kernel with a high proportion of carbohydrates,
protein, unsaturated fatty acids and soluble fibre. This makes oatmeal
particularly suitable for a healthy start to the day and as a nutritious
alternative to a snack between meals.
Incidentally,
oat bran is obtained from the outer layers of the oats, which differs from the
oat flakes in appearance and properties.
Where does oatmeal come from?
As the name
already suggests, oat flakes are made from oats.
For this
purpose, the raw grain is mechanically “freed” from straw, any
inedible elements and the so-called husks, a kind of protective skin, before it
is treated with steam and then with dry heat.
The dry
heat in the production process is important for a typical nutty flavour. It
inhibits the activity of certain enzymes, which could lead to a bitter taste if
the oat flakes are stored for a long time.
The oat flakes finally get their typical shape when the oat kernels are flattened between two rollers. There are different types of oat flakes, which differ depending on the production process. Large leaf flakes, such as those found in muesli, are made from the whole grain, while small leaf flakes are made from oats that have already been crushed and swell more quickly if you soak them – but they should not be confused with oat bran obtained from the outer layers.
Is oatmeal healthy?
Due to the gentle production process, almost all nutrients are retained in the oat flakes. This is why they are a healthy basis for muesli, porridge and other dishes like granola bars or overnight oats.
Furthermore,
oatmeal is gluten-free and vegan and is characterised by its simple
preparation, which makes it an ideal component of various nutritional plans
and diets – incidentally also for people who suffer from allergies.
In addition to a high nutritional value and quick satiation, oat flakes are healthy because of these other scientifically proven advantages:
Oat flakes are good for the stomach and intestines and support digestion
Oatmeal lowers the blood sugar level
Oatmeal helps to lower cholesterol levels
The copper and vitamin B contained in oat flakes ensure healthy hair and nails (as part of skin care products they can also contribute to a healthy and clean skin)
Oatmeal as sports nutrition
Due to
their balanced distribution of nutrients, oat flakes are ideal as food for
breakfast. Thanks to their high nutritional value, oat flakes are also an
ideal sports food. They supply the body with high-quality vitamins and
important minerals, while having a high saturation effect.
This means that even small amounts of oat flakes – whether in muesli, as porridge or in a bar – are sufficient to create a feeling of satiety that lasts for a long time without activating fat depositing thanks to the complex carbohydrates. The way in which you should prepare oatmeal before or during exercise depends primarily on how much time elapses between eating and exercising.
Oat flakes are one of the long chain carbohydrates that are ideal if you have a few hours to digest before exercise. Then dishes with a high proportion of oatflakes, such as our porridges, are a good idea.
If it has
to go faster, then short-chain carbohydrates, for example sugar (dextrose as
well as household sugar) are more suitable. After sport the body needs
carbohydrates and protein again.
Do oat flakes help you to lose weight?
When you
eat oatmeal for breakfast, you supply your body with high-quality energy
right at the beginning of the day. As they lead to a quick feeling of
satiety thanks to their long-chain carbohydrates and a multitude of fibres
and also boost fat burning, oatmeal is definitely suitable if you want to lose
weight.
However, it always depends on how consistently the diet is followed and how much you pay attention to certain basic rules, which can be applied to all diets.
A diet that is too one-sided can lead to a nutrient deficiency – you should therefore not only eat oat flakes dishes prepared differently during a diet. But you can prevent ravenous appetite attacks quite effectively with oatmeal, even if you “only” integrate it into your normal diet.
For example, oatmeal is an ideal substitute for a snack or a little treat in between. If that is not enough for you, then there is the so-called oat diet, which you can read about in detail in our blog post “Losing weight with the oat diet – is that possible”?
How many calories does oatmeal have and what are the general nutritional values?
What
is the difference between oatmeal and oat bran?
While oat flakes are the flat-rolled kernels
obtained from the raw grain, oat bran is produced from the outer layers of
the grain and the germ, which are crushed for this purpose.
Although the outer layers and germ only make up
around 30 percent of the total oat grain, around 85 percent of the vitamins,
80 percent of the minerals, 60 percent of the protein and 85 percent of the
important fibre are concentrated here – The latter are particularly good
for maintaining a healthy intestinal flora. Oat bran differs from oat flakes not only in the
extraction process and appearance, but also in taste and nutritional value.
What the flakes and bran have in common is that
they are considered healthy superfood and can be processed in a variety of
ways, whether as porridge, in muesli or as an ingredient in bread or sports
bars. You can include oat bran in
your diet just as much as oatmeal, but here too it is important to do it with
moderation and not to neglect a balanced diet.
If you would like to try oat bran as an alternative to oatmeal for breakfast, you can try this recipe for example: chocolate banana pudding with avocado.
Preparing porridge correctly
Soaking oat flakes
Oat flakes
are just as easily digestible when dry as when soaked in water or milk.
Soaking not only changes the consistency but also reduces the phytin content.
As this acid binds minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, the body
is deprived of these nutrients.
A reduced
phytin content can be achieved after only 30 minutes of soaking and allows
a better absorption of important nutrients. Above all, raw food lovers
should bear this in mind, as otherwise the body may be permanently deprived of
important nutrients due to the relatively one-sided nutrition with nuts and
legumes.
Apart from that, it is basically entirely up to your taste whether and how long you soak oat flakes before preparation and whether you use water or milk, whether cow’s, soy, almond or coconut milk.
Cooking oat flakes
In contrast
to soaking, cooking oat flakes has no influence on the phytin content.Oats for muesli or as overnight oats are not cooked. Heating is only
necessary if you like to eat porridge. For this, it is up to your preferences
whether you use water or milk.
Porridge for breakfast
Oat flakes
not only stand out because they have a long shelf life and can be prepared
quickly and easily. You can mix them with other ingredients to make your own
individual muesli or, if that’s too much trouble for you, you can buy
ready-made muesli varieties. There is a whole range of recipes that you can
prepare yourself at home.
Like
muesli, granola consists of oat flakes and various other ingredients. Unlike
muesli, however, granola flakes are roasted with honey or raw sugar until they
are brown and crunchy. Granola is often made into bars, but when mixed with
milk it also tastes great for breakfast.
Even those
who have developed a taste for porridge can choose between sweet or salty and
between water and milk. Just like the classic muesli, porridge is versatile and
knows almost no limits when it comes to its preparation.
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