What oats. Which oatmeal is best? Cereals or cereals, what to buy

Despite the huge number oatmeal, which can be found on store shelves, in fact, there are only three of their main types. Which of them flakes belong to is determined by the methods of grain processing, and this, in turn, directly affects the cooking time of porridge and the amount of nutrients contained in oatmeal cooked from flakes.

Oatmeal Extra

Depending on the degree of processing, according to GOST, oat flakes of this type are divided into three groups. Oat flakes Extra №1 made from whole grains, they are the largest in size, they cook longer (usually about 15 minutes), but they are considered the most useful, as they contain the most vitamins, trace elements and fiber.

Oat flakes Extra №2 made from cut oatmeal, they cook faster and are smaller in size, but the amount of fiber with other useful substances decreases after “cutting”.

Oat flakes Extra №3 made from cut and flattened grains, they are the smallest and boil very quickly, in 1-2 minutes. Despite the fact that such flakes are not champions in the amount of vitamins, they are recommended for children and those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, when coarse fiber can be harmful.

Oat flakes type Hercules

For them, premium oatmeal is peeled, flattened and steamed, thanks to which herculean flakes you can not even boil, but brew, they are usually used for "instant" cereals. However, during steam processing, some of the vitamins and trace elements are also lost. To fix the situation Hercules often additionally enriched with vitamins.

Petal oatmeal

They are made according to a technology similar to hercules, but the groats are pre-treated, as a result petal flakes usually have a lighter shade, they are thinner, they have less husks - the so-called color films that can spoil the taste oatmeal porridge and irritate the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract in some of its diseases.

How to choose oatmeal

Composition of oatmeal

Pay attention to the composition: it should contain only oatmeal, without flavorings, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, salt and other additives. Flakes are stored for the longest time and best of all retain their beneficial properties in sealed opaque packaging: in cardboard packs, they easily absorb moisture and deteriorate faster, and packaged in transparent bags, if stored in light, lose nutrients faster.

Color and smell of oatmeal

Good oatmeal have a white or creamy yellowish tint, they do not have a large number of dark blotches, husks and other impurities. If, after opening the package, a moldy or rancid smell is felt - this indicates that the contents have been stored for too long or incorrectly and have deteriorated, such oatmeal will not be tasty.

Shelf life of oatmeal

On the package flakes, two dates of packaging and production are usually indicated. The expiration date is correctly calculated from the second. Oat flakes, packaged simply in a cardboard box, are stored for 3-6 months. And the shelf life of packaged in polyethylene is extended to a year.

There is, perhaps, nothing better than oatmeal for breakfast: healthy slow carbohydrates that quickly give a feeling of satiety and become a source of energy for the whole day, a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, fiber that has a beneficial effect on digestion and a whole range of nutrients that support the health of our hair, skin and bones.

By including oatmeal in our diet, we strive to get the maximum benefit from it. In order to succeed, you need to know at least something about the types of oatmeal and be able to choose the best ones from them.

In today's review, we will figure out which oatmeal is worth choosing.

Why choose oatmeal

Before understanding the advantages of some oatmeal over others, let's try to answer the question of why oatmeal is the main favorite of adherents of a healthy diet who choose it for breakfast, and not rice, for example, or semolina.

Oatmeal is a champion in protein content (on this indicator, porridge is second only to buckwheat), it is extremely rich in potassium, magnesium, iron and B vitamins. Nutritionists unanimously argue that it is oatmeal that is better than other cereals that can lower cholesterol and blood sugar .

In addition, oatmeal, due to its high fiber content, will help you normalize metabolism faster than other cereals, putting the body's metabolism in order.

In addition to these impressive advantages, oatmeal has something else to praise separately: we love it, of course, for its ease of preparation. It does not need to be cooked for a long time, follow it, and it turns out almost always perfectly. We at KitchenMag highly recommend trying this wonderful cold summer breakfast that you can eat right after you get out of bed. And by the way, it retains even more useful substances due to the cold method of preparation.

Oat flakes "Extra"

Oat flakes "Extra" are considered the most useful. They are especially rich in fiber, vitamins and trace elements. Oatmeal "Extra No. 1" is made directly from whole grains, so these flakes are very large and cook longer than others.

Oat flakes "Extra No. 2" are less useful, but they also cook a little faster, because after a preliminary special treatment they become smaller in size.

Very small flakes that cook quickly - "Extra No. 3": they are made from chopped grains and are recommended to be included in the diet for those who, suffering from certain gastrointestinal diseases, avoid eating coarse fiber.

Petal oatmeal

Just like "Extra" type oat flakes, petal flakes are made from premium oatmeal. Their main difference from their "oatmeal counterparts" is their small size and fast (no more than 10 minutes) cooking time.

Small oatmeal is flattened after sifting: this production scheme determines the cooking speed of oatmeal flakes. The fact is that this process facilitates the access of water to the kernel during cooking (the surface of the kernels that have undergone such processing has a slight corrugated impression on both sides).

Thanks to additional processing, petal flakes look lighter, thinner, contain less husks and films. It is quite possible to choose them for everyone who likes to cook quickly and does not want to irritate the gastric mucosa with coarse unprocessed food.

Hercules

"Hercules" - instant flakes, as a rule, additionally enriched with vitamins. This name appeared a long time ago and was applied to the thickest, largest oatmeal, which was cooked the longest, because it was subjected to minimal processing and retained a maximum of nutrients.

It is Hercules flakes that today undergo maximum processing (separation of bran from the kernel, steaming, rolling), because of this they contain less vitamins and nutrients than Extra-type oatmeal.

Their main advantage is "instant" cooking: you can not even boil porridge, but simply pour boiling water over the flakes. If you are ready to sacrifice the benefits for the sake of 20 minutes of free time - this variety of oatmeal is ideal for you, besides, you still get the benefits of this porridge.

Evgeny Shumarin

Reading time: 10 minutes

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Oatmeal is flattened grains of oats. Both adults and children know about this food product. Oatmeal for breakfast is the most common dish, it is very healthy and nutritious. Many women use it for weight loss.

Consider which oatmeal is better, what it is useful for, whether it can harm our body, and also answer the main questions.

The main types and varieties of oatmeal - which one is tastier and healthier?

There are 40 types of oats in the world, which are further processed and oat flakes or Hercules are produced from them.

In Russia, the most famous are:

• Oat flakes "Extra" №1
  They are made from whole grains. In size, they are large and the most useful, as they have useful qualities and contain the largest amount of fiber.
• Oat flakes "Extra" №2
  They are smaller than the previous ones. They are made from cut cereals.
• Oat flakes "Extra" №3
  These flakes are small and fast-cooking. They are also made from chopped cereals. They are less useful. These cereals are suitable for children.
• Oat flakes "Hercules"
  They have a smooth surface and are not suitable for microwave cooking. They take longer to cook. In addition, they have been pre-steamed and are not as healthy as previous types of oatmeal. And they are not recommended for daily use.
• Flattened oatmeal
  These are the same Hercules flakes, only for their manufacture corrugated rollers are used, which flatten the oats and form a corrugated pattern on it. They have a difference from Hercules - they cook faster. But note that they did not become more useful from steam treatment.
• Uncrushed groats
  This product is almost impossible to find on the shelves of Russian stores. It is the most useful and converges in properties with whole grains. It is used for medical nutrition.

Composition, calorie content, nutritional value of oatmeal

Consider the energy value of different types of oatmeal:

• 100 g of dry oatmeal or cereal contains 305 kcal.
• In the same amount of oatmeal boiled in water - 88 kcal.
• In oatmeal cooked in milk - 102 kcal.
• Whole grain oatmeal has 108 calories.

100 g of oatmeal contains:

• 11 g of proteins.
• 6.1 g fat.
• 65.4 g of carbohydrates.
• 12 g of water.
• 6 g of dietary fiber.

It also contains vitamins:

• PP - 4.6 mg.
• E - 3.2 mg.
• Biotin (N) - 20 mcg.
• Folic acid (B9) - 23 mcg.
• Pyridoxine (B6) - 0.24 mg.
• Riboflavin (B2) - 0.1 mg.
• Thiamine (B1) - 0.45 mg.

And a lot of useful and vital macro and micronutrients:

• Silicon - 348 mg.
• Potassium - 143.76 mg.
• Phosphorus - 123.3 mg.
• Magnesium - 46.79 mg.
• Calcium - 43.1 mg.
• Chlorine - 42.44 mg.
• Sulfur - 34.15 mg.
• Sodium - 13.26 mg.
• Iron - 1.879 mg.
• Manganese - 1.8 mg.
• Zinc - 1.25 mg.
• Copper - 209 mcg.
• Fluorine - 110.45 mcg.
• Boron - 95.5 mcg.
• Vanadium - 69 mcg.
• Molybdenum - 13.5 mcg.
• Selenium - 8.2 mcg.
• Chromium - 4.46 mcg.
• Cobalt - 2.7 mcg.
• Iodine - 2.6 mcg.

What is useful oatmeal on water, on milk, whole grain, instant, flakes?

Of all types of cereals, oatmeal occupies a leading position. She carries about huge benefit to the body- especially the one that is boiled in water.

This dietary product is suitable for breakfast. It can be eat and not get better. In terms of calories, it can be compared with one.

Let's list the benefits of oatmeal

• Normalizes digestion and prevents the occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its anti-inflammatory action, it has a positive effect on the gastric mucosa, saving from bloating. In addition, oatmeal should be consumed by people with gastritis or ulcers.
• Oatmeal is quickly absorbed and reduces the level of cholesterol, which is deposited in fat.
• It also has a low glycemic index. It is advised to eat for diabetics, as it does not raise blood sugar levels.
• Improves the structure of bones and teeth, containing calcium and phosphorus.
• It has a healing effect, thereby preventing dermatitis and skin diseases.
• Increases immunity and body resistance to various infectious diseases.
• Removes toxins from the body, cleansing the intestines.
• Reduces the likelihood of allergies.
• Normalizes the work of the endocrine system.
• Saves from the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Since it contains a large amount of iron, it is used in the prevention of anemia.
• Uplifting, being an excellent antidepressant.

Note that all oatmeal has these properties. Boiled porridge on the water, of course, will be nutritious and useful, but boiled in milk add calories into your diet.

Concerning instant cereal, then they are of minimal benefit to our body. After eating a bowl of porridge from them, after half an hour you will want to eat. Even the well-known flakes "Extra" are more beneficial.

Whole grain oatmeal is considered the healthiest. And all because it has a skin rich in fiber, and has undergone less processing. Such oatmeal cleans the intestines well.

Harm of oatmeal, contraindications - what is gluten?

Oatmeal can be harmful.

We list to whom it is contraindicated

• Since instant cereals contain a small amount of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates are easily digested, they can raise blood sugar levels. Hence - a sharp release of insulin and a feeling of hunger.
• To all people in excess. Do not eat oatmeal every day. We also do not recommend sticking to oatmeal diets, as it leaches calcium from the body.
• Suffering from allergies to cereals. According to the World Health Organization, only 1% of the world is allergic to a cereal protein - gluten. It is found in gluten. When consumed, it damages the villi of the small intestine and disrupts digestion.
• With heart and kidney failure, oatmeal is also contraindicated.

Oatmeal in the diet of nursing mothers, pregnant women, diabetics with allergies - SF answers all questions

Can kids eat oatmeal?

In the nutrition of infants, cereals occupy the first place. Pediatricians advise starting complementary foods with buckwheat, corn, and then switch to oatmeal. Start feeding oatmeal is advised from 9-10 months. If the baby has anemia, then you can start from 5 months. However, remember, oatmeal should not be eaten daily!

Is oatmeal good for pregnant women?

Of course it's useful. Oatmeal contains folic acid, which prevents various birth defects, as well as other B vitamins that supply the body with energy.

By the way, its iron content increases hemoglobin, relieves fatigue and reduces the risk of anemia. In order for iron to be better absorbed, doctors advise drinking oatmeal with fruit juices.

Oatmeal while breastfeeding

Oatmeal while breastfeeding is a great product. It saturates the body of mother and child with vital substances and vitamins, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the structure of milk, and gives strength.

Is oatmeal good for diabetes - hypoglycemic index
Unprocessed oatmeal is beneficial for diabetics. It has a GI of 40 to 50. Such oatmeal can lower blood sugar levels. Instant flakes have a GI of 66, which is high, so don't eat them.

Can you be allergic to oatmeal?

Allergy to oatmeal can be only in one case - if you have an allergy to cereals, and to be more precise, to the protein of cereals, gluten.

Does oatmeal really deplete calcium from the body?
Yes, you shouldn't eat oatmeal every day. It flushes calcium out of the body and prevents it from being absorbed.

Oatmeal in our menu - the right choice and preparation, storage

Oatmeal Dishes

Of course, you can cook not only from cereal, but also from oatmeal or grains.
Here are some examples of delicious and healthy dishes:

• Whole grain oatmeal porridge
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Kissel from oatmeal
• Oatmeal
• Oatmeal
• oatmeal bread
• oatmeal pancakes
• Oatmeal cake
• Diet gozinaki with nuts, candied fruit and oatmeal
• Smoothies with oatmeal and fruits or vegetables

How to choose oatmeal when buying?

To choose this cereal correctly, housewives must remember:

• Oat flakes extra do not contain impurities. But of the three varieties, the most useful is large oatmeal at number 1.
• Hercules contains the skin that remains after processing oats. These flakes more useful. But you will spend more time preparing them.
• Whole oat porridges should be purchased, looking at the name of the package. It may say: "whole grain" or "whole grain". These are the two most common titles that justify the content. The color of oats should be light and have a pleasant aroma.
• Cereals must have a solid, dense and rounded shape.
• Moisture must not get into the product, so the packaging must be sealed.
• good cereal have a white, pale yellow or cream color.
• From unpacked product doesn't smell like mold or other substances.
• On the packaging you will definitely find two dates of packaging and production. It is from the second that the expiration date is considered.

How to cook oatmeal in water?

1. Pour 4 tablespoons of oatmeal into a saucepan, add 1 cup of water.
2. Be sure to stir the dish so that it does not burn.
3. After 10 minutes, as the porridge is cooked, close the pan with a tight lid, turn off the stove and let it brew.
4. Optionally, you can add salt, sugar or butter, candied fruits, nuts and seeds to the dish.

How is oatmeal cooked in milk?

1. To cook oatmeal for, it is worth pouring the same amount of cereal with water.
2. Once the porridge is cooked, add half a glass of milk to it and stir.
3. After 2 minutes, leave the dish under the closed lid and let it brew for about 5 minutes.

Quick oatmeal recipe in a jar

If you find it difficult to prepare this dish, we present to your attention a quick recipe for oatmeal in a jar. This dish is called "lazy oatmeal".

Cooking it is even easier than cooking porridge:

1. In a glass jar or other tightly sealed container, pour 2 tablespoons of oatmeal (not instant
2. Add 50 ml of yogurt, 70 ml of water and any fruit.
3. Mix all the ingredients, close the jar with a lid and leave it overnight in the refrigerator.

Optional with oatmeal add sour cream, honey with cinnamon and apple or banana with cocoa. This is an excellent low-calorie and nutritious breakfast dish.

How and how much to store oatmeal at home ?

• In order for oatmeal not to spoil, it must be stored in a container that can be tightly closed.
• By the way, there should be no moisture in the storage place, and the temperature should not rise above 15 degrees.
• So oatmeal can be stored for up to 6 months.

Oatmeal in diets

• Adhering to a diet of oatmeal, you can lose weight up to 7 kg per week. This is despite the fact that you will only eat porridge, and drink water, green tea or herbal infusions. Nutritionists say that you can lose weight if you do not eat anything else.
• In other diets, less strict, oatmeal can make you fat, as it is nutritious, it has quite a lot of calories, a storehouse of nutrients.

Before you “sit down” on an oatmeal diet, you should consult a doctor!

Oatmeal is not only a healthy cereal. Porridge from it can become a real medicine if the dish is properly prepared and consumed. There are a lot of recipes. In skillful hands, porridge turns into the most delicious and favorite dish. There are practically no contraindications for oatmeal, the body reacts positively to it, the intestines are cleansed, due to which the skin becomes healthy and radiant.

1. Favorably affects the functioning of the digestive organs. It is oatmeal that is the first to be introduced into the diet after undergoing surgical interventions, starvation diets, and long abstinence from food.
2. Contains coarse fiber. In ¾ cups of dry cereals - the daily norm of dietary fiber (for an adult). Therefore, with regular use of oatmeal, you can forget about clogged intestines, constipation and all the ensuing problems.
3. Oatmeal proteins help build muscle mass.
4. Reduces the risk of blood clots. The dish is useful for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
5. Slow carbohydrates are the right breakfast, which will give satiety until lunch.
6. It is recommended to use dishes from this cereal for schoolchildren, students and other people involved in mental work. Porridge will relieve drowsiness, cheer you up, help you concentrate.
7. Oatmeal is often an element of diets and fasting days. Water-cooked porridge has a low calorie content and high nutritional properties, so it can be used for weight loss.

The benefits of oatmeal for the body are obvious. The product is actively used in dietary and clinical nutrition. The porridge tastes good and is affordable. Using additives, you can give the dish different tastes.

Oatmeal: how to choose a healthy product

Store shelves are full of packages of different types of oatmeal. Cereals differ in appearance, the size of flakes and grains, the method and time of cooking. Main types:

• instant oatmeal does not require heat treatment, or cooking lasts no more than 2 minutes;
• hercules - the thickest and largest flakes, require cooking for 10-15 minutes;
• oatmeal - flattened whole grains that require a long boil, which usually takes about 30-35 minutes.

Instant oatmeal contains the least nutrients and valuable substances. Whole grain cereals and rolled oats are considered the most useful. They retain the maximum amount of fiber, valuable vitamins and minerals.

How to cook healthy porridge

Oatmeal dishes always turn out viscous, slimy. When cooled, the consistency becomes much thicker than after cooking. Basic rules for preparing healthy porridge:

1. Porridges are boiled in water or milk. Groats are always poured into a boiling liquid.
2. For a viscous dish of water, at least 150 ml is added per 50 g of cereal.
3. If the dish is not intended for weight loss or cleansing, then salt is added to improve the taste.
4. Refined sugar can be replaced with dried fruits, honey, berries and fresh fruits.
5. Oil dramatically increases the calorie content of the dish, you need to add fat in doses.
6. If the dish is prepared in advance, then the amount of cereal is reduced by a third.

To keep the maximum amount of benefit in the dish, you can not heat-treat the cereal. It is enough to put oatmeal in a thermos, pour boiling water or milk, leave for 3 hours. In this way, breakfast is prepared the day before.

Oatmeal for weight loss

Complex carbohydrates, which are contained in oatmeal, are digested slowly, do not allow blood sugar levels to rise sharply. One serving of the dish will give the body satiety for 3-4 hours. At the same time, the energy value of cereals cooked in water or skim milk is only 88-100 kcal.

The main benefits and properties of oatmeal:

• suppresses cravings for sweets;
• the product is widespread, accessible, inexpensive;
• goes well with various additives, which allows you to make the diet varied and healthy;
• even porridge with long cooking does not require much time to cook;
• improves skin elasticity, which is very important when losing weight.

For weight loss on oatmeal, they arrange mono-diets, spend fasting days, and include them in the proper nutrition system. Mono-diets do not require thinking through the menu, you do not need to cook several different dishes, the set of products is minimal: oatmeal and water. To taste, add cinnamon, pepper, ginger to the porridge. A significant disadvantage of such a diet is the difficulty of endurance. Not everyone can eat the same food for a week. As with other mono-diets, lost weight often returns rapidly.

It is much more useful to make porridge a daily breakfast on a proper nutrition system. The dish is supplemented with fruits, seeds, honey. Effective and useful unloading day on oatmeal. It helps to cleanse the body, remove excess water, relieve 400-800 g of weight.

Unloading day on oatmeal

For a fasting day, porridge is cooked on water without the addition of salt and sugar. It is allowed to add spices for a change. You can also pour unsalted spices: ginger, black pepper or paprika.

porridge recipe

Pour 1 cup of cereal with 3 cups of water, cook an ordinary viscous porridge. Divide the resulting dish into 5 equal parts according to the number of meals. Recommended to use every 3 hours. The last dose is 3 hours before bedtime. In between meals, clean water is required. For a day you need to drink at least 2 liters.

Advice! If by the evening of the fasting day you feel severe hunger or the stomach begins to actively boil, you can drink a glass of kefir or eat one green apple. These products have a low calorie content, they will not allow you to break loose and eat something harmful.

Video: How to diet on oatmeal

Oatmeal for colon cleansing (oatmeal scrub)

Oatmeal, rich in fiber, will help to gently cleanse the intestines and normalize stools. Due to this, the stomach will become flatter, the complexion and skin condition will improve, and immunity will increase. Cleaning is recommended for people with acne on the face and body, suffering from oily skin. You can use boiled porridge for an oatmeal scrub, but raw cereal works much more efficiently.

Colon cleansing scrub recipe

Compound:
Oat flakes - 2-3 tbsp. l.
Water - 50 ml
Milk - 1 tbsp. l.

Application:
Scrub for the intestines should be prepared the day before. Pour oatmeal with cold boiled or purified water, add a spoonful of milk, which can be replaced with cream. Stir the mixture thoroughly, put in the refrigerator.

In the morning on an empty stomach, drink a glass of water, after 15 minutes, eat the cooked scrub. You can add a teaspoon of honey or nuts to porridge, but one thing. Salt and refined sugar are prohibited. A full breakfast is recommended 3 hours after eating oatmeal. Scrub cleansing course - 30 days.

It should be remembered: Cleaning procedures are recommended from 6 to 8 in the morning. It is at this time that the digestive tract begins to work, the body wakes up after a night's sleep.

Oatmeal for constipation

Constipation brings great harm: it disrupts the digestive system, poisons the body with toxins, and interferes with normal blood supply. Stagnation is harmful at any age. There are many medications and folk remedies to combat constipation. Oatmeal is one of the most affordable and safe. It is allowed to use it for children from 7 months of age, provided there is no allergic reaction to gluten and other ingredients of the dish.

constipation porridge recipe

Compound:
Oatmeal - 0.3 cups
Water - 1 glass
Vegetable oil - 1 tsp
Prunes - 3 pcs.

Cooking: In a saucepan on the stove, cook an ordinary viscous cereal porridge. Rinse prunes, cut into small cubes, add 3 minutes before the end of cooking. Season the finished dish with vegetable oil: sunflower, linseed or olive. It is important that the product is unrefined. Salt and sugar can be added, but in small quantities. Porridge is recommended to be consumed on an empty stomach in the morning as the main breakfast.

Oatmeal for beauty

Oat flakes contain vitamins B, K and E. When eating dishes from this cereal, the condition and color of the skin improves, elasticity increases, acne caused by problems with the digestive system and intestines disappears. Nails and hair become stronger, grow better.

Oatmeal can be taken internally and used externally. In cosmetology, only natural flakes with long-term cooking are used, containing the maximum amount of useful substances. At the same time, it is not necessary to subject the cereal to heat treatment. Usually porridge is brewed with boiling water, insisted, then used as a scrub, masks alone or with the addition of other ingredients: honey, coffee, dairy products, cosmetic oils.

Video: Oatmeal for beauty in the program "About the most important thing"

Harm of oatmeal: who should not use

Oatmeal is beneficial to the body, but you should not make it the basis of the diet. When using the product in large quantities and for a long time, the absorption of vitamin D and calcium is impaired. It is due to the accumulation of phytic acid. This leads to weakening of the skeletal system.

The main contraindication is gluten intolerance (celiac disease). But also do not forget that instant oatmeal without cooking and flavored sachet dishes do not carry any benefit, they can cause allergies, indigestion, thereby harming the body.

This is a product made by processing oats. Mongolia and China are called the cradle of healthy oatmeal. Currently, many countries are engaged in the cultivation of this cereal.

Useful cereals contain a significant amount of calcium and are so necessary for a person to create good growth and formation of bone tissue and as a preventive measure against anemia.

Besides:

• The oatmeal product has enveloping and anti-inflammatory characteristics, as a result, it is necessary for flatulence and abdominal pain.
• It does an excellent job of cleansing the intestines, removing both toxins and toxic substances.
• Based on the latest scientific experiments, it was revealed that oats have beta-glucan, an element that helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol.
• In addition, this cereal corrects the amount of sugar in the blood.
• The content of this product contains biotin, which has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and reduces the risk of dermatitis.

Healthy oatmeal is an excellent product for a person!

• Useful oatmeal activates the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, acting as a prophylactic against the formation of oncologies in this area of ​​the human body.
• In addition, porridge does not allow the development of stomach ulcers and gastritis. This product contains antioxidants - elements that help the body resist infections of various etiologies and the harmful effects of our environment.

Magnesium and methionine found in cereals are important for the proper function of the central nervous system. And the proteins and fiber that abound in this cereal help to grow muscle tissues and the proper course of metabolic processes.

How to choose cereals for good porridge?

To prepare a nutritious breakfast, it is necessary to have information which of the cereals is more useful, since the most valuable porridge containing the necessary vitamin and mineral set will be considered porridge made from natural oats.

The choice should be made in favor of whole grains, although cooking porridge from such cereals will take more time.

Oat flakes

When choosing cereals, you should carefully consider the container where the name is indicated "Extra" or "Hercules". As a rule, "Extra" flakes are divided into three grades, depending on the level of processing:

• Genuine soft oat flakes are in a container with the number 3. These flakes are prepared for children and people with a weak stomach. They do not need to be boiled, it will be enough to cover them with boiling water or milk and within five to seven minutes, it is ready.
• In the package with the name "Extra" and the number - 2, oatmeal made from chopped cereals is also stored. It takes about ten minutes to cook porridge from this type.
• "Extra 1" - differs from the previous ones, in a large composition of carbohydrates. This product will need to cook for 15 minutes.

Popular Hercules - how is it prepared?

• Hercules - flakes for instant cooking. In the process of processing, whole grains are cleaned, the upper shell is removed.
• Then the grain is subjected to hydrothermal action. Further, with the help of rollers, the oats are flattened, turning them into thin plates.
• To reduce the cooking time of porridge, during their production, the surface of the flakes is cut to break the fibers.

As a result, it will take 4-7 minutes to cook the dish, it will depend on the level of processing.

How are oatmeal and Hercules different?

1. Oatmeal is a whole, unprocessed grain, Hercules is flakes that have undergone special processing;
2. Biological significance - thanks to a special technology, oatmeal has more useful elements than cereal;
3. Cooking time - oatmeal - 45-60 minutes, Hercules - 5-20 minutes;
4. The consumption rate - oatmeal - every day, but Hercules is often undesirable to use;

Oatmeal

Oat grain is the most easily digestible cereal, which stores many useful nutrients in its composition. In addition, it refers to products with dietary characteristics.
What is useful oatmeal?
Experts came to the conclusion that the daily use of such porridge has a healing effect on the body and the life of a person.

It is advisable to eat such porridge for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, VVD and impaired heart function.

Inclusion in the diet of oatmeal porridge helps:

• Improve memory and thought process;
• Restore the activity of the thyroid gland;
• Normalize liver function;
• Get rid of colitis;
• Get away from indigestion and constipation;
• Reduce the level of stomach acid;
• Increase attention.

250 - 300 grams of oatmeal can provide 25% of the body's daily need for fiber, and the full daily need for it is guaranteed by three-quarters of a glass of dry product.

Vitamins and minerals in oatmeal

The nutritional value:

Proteins - 12.3 g;
Fat - 6.1 g;
Carbohydrates - 59.5 g;
Water - 12 g;
Dietary fiber - 8 g;
Unsaturated fatty acids - 4.51 g;
Gold - 2.1 g;
Saturated fatty acids - 1 g;
Mono- and disaccharides - 0.9 g.

The energy value of oatmeal is 342 kcal. In 1 tbsp./l. with top - 61.6 kcal.

Possible harm

The usefulness of this cereal is undeniable, but it must be remembered that it is not always good.

• Excessive consumption of oatmeal will lead to calcium loss. Its absorption is disturbed, as well as vitamin D. Their lack will subsequently serve as the basis for the formation of serious diseases: bone deformity, osteoporosis.
• It is forbidden to eat porridge from oats with a diagnosis of “gluten enteropathy”.

Storage

For better preservation of the necessary and valuable substances in cereals, it should be stored in a tightly closed container.

This will prevent the penetration of moisture and insects. Containers with cereals should be placed away from sunlight.
To prevent insects from getting inside, you can place mint next to the container.