Oats are the ultimate breakfast all-rounder and can be enjoyed any time. Whether you prefer crunchy granola with natural yoghurt, creamy porridge with fruit or a quick baked-oats breakfast cake.
Porridge or oatmeal, as it is called in the USA, has become an indispensable part of our breakfast tables, because the healthy breakfast is very much in vogue. Not without reason, in our opinion, because the breakfast classic has a lot to offer.
In addition to a long list of healthy nutrients that are well worth seeing, porridge also has many other health benefits.
Oatmeal from VERIVAL - discover it now!
Find out why oatmeal is the perfect breakfast and why it is so healthy.
What is oatmeal?
Porridge, oatmeal, overnight oats, oatmeal - different names for the same delicious breakfast. When we talk about oatmeal, we mean oat flakes boiled in liquid to create a wonderfully creamy porridge. You can prepare it with milk, plant-based milk, or water, honey, nuts, or fruit – anything goes with oatmeal. This is probably one of the reasons why it is so trendy.
Preparing this popular breakfast classic is quite simple: oats are either mixed with hot liquid, in which they can then steep for a while, or they are cooked traditionally on the stove. If you're in a particular hurry in the morning, you can also prepare your porridge in the microwave.
Then it's time to get creative: refine your oatmeal with toppings of your choice to get even more out of your breakfast. Particularly popular are nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, etc.), seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.) and fruit. Season your oatmeal with vanilla, raw cocoa or cardamom. Cinnamon, nut butter or turmeric are also excellent choices.
There are no limits to your imagination when it comes to refining oatmeal recipes.
If you want, you can also add a spoonful of protein powder to your oatmeal, but remember that the meal will then be much richer and could lie heavy on the stomach for some people. It's best to simply try it out and listen to your body!
But there is an easier way. If you don't want to worry about toppings, try out the wide range of porridges from VERIVAL. In our product development, we try to cover the different preferences and tastes of our customers. There is a lot to discover, from fruity to chocolaty. What's more, our breakfast porridge is prepared in no time and ready to enjoy.
Nutrient-rich power breakfast
One of the main reasons why oats are so healthy lies in their oat flakes main ingredient. As a regional superfood, the nutrient-rich grain has long since conquered breakfast tables across the country and has become a lasting breakfast trend. Oats are considered to be both low in calories and high in nutrients. The perfect combination. Depending on how they are made, they are also either low in gluten or even completely gluten-free.
A portion of oats provides a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins B1, B6 and E, as well as magnesium, phosphorus, iron and calcium, are at the top of the list.
On top of that, the grain is high in protein and healthy fibre. For example, oats contain beta glucans (a type of fibre) that prevent a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. Unlike simple carbohydrates, the long-chain carbohydrates are broken down much more slowly. This makes oatmeal a suitable breakfast for people with type 2 diabetes.
Oatmeal keeps you healthy and full
Dietary fibre and long-chain carbohydrates, which are abundant in porridge, are considered true fillers. This is despite the fact that oats are relatively low in calories compared to other types of grain. So with a bowl of porridge for breakfast, you can easily last until lunch without a snack. This makes it easier to avoid unhealthy snacks.
Incidentally, porridge for breakfast can also prevent afternoon hunger pangs. How? Once again, we have the high fibre content of oatmeal to thank. This prevents your blood sugar levels from taking a wild rollercoaster ride, which in turn reduces cravings.
Healthy with sugar-free oatmeal
Porridge is naturally sugar-free. Although sugar is considered harmless in moderation, the sweet fattening agent likes to creep into our daily eating habits without us noticing. Many conventional mueslis, yoghurts, drinks and the like contain a lot of sugar. This makes you sick in the long run.
All the better that sugar-free oats are available. However, if you miss the sweetness in your breakfast, you can use natural sweeteners such as honey, agave syrup or maple syrup to help. And the good news is that if you otherwise eat healthy food, you can also sweeten it with chocolate shavings from time to time (it's best to use dark chocolate).
A healthy and warm breakfast for your well-being
In addition to the numerous ingredients that make oatmeal so healthy, the way it is prepared also has health benefits. In short, a warm breakfast simply does you good.
If your food is already at body temperature, it takes the strain off your stomach and intestines. Your body has to expend less energy on digestion and you simply feel better. What's more, the healthy ingredients in warm meals are absorbed better than in cold ones.
Warm VERIVAL breakfast according to TCM – discover it now!
Warm breakfasts have many health benefits, according to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). According to TCM nutrition, it strengthens the immune system and warms the body from the inside. This is a particularly welcome side effect during the colder months.
Another way of preparing oats is to make baked oats. Similar to overnight oats, the ingredients are first mixed together and then simply baked in an ovenproof dish for about 20 minutes at top and bottom heat. You can also top your baked oats with bananas or apples. Just find simple recipes that suit your taste.
By the way: soy flakes are suitable as an oatmeal substitute in a low-carb diet.
Frequently asked questions
How healthy is oatmeal?
The fact that oatmeal is so healthy is mainly due to the oats themselves. Its ingredients, complex carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and fibre, are absolutely ingenious and a real power combination. What's more, oatmeal keeps you full for longer, reduces cravings and keeps your blood sugar level constant.
What is the difference between oatmeal and porridge?
It means the same thing: cereal made from oats! Oat porridge, oat meal, porridge, overnight oats, oatmeal – different names for the same delicious breakfast. When we talk about oatmeal or porridge, we mean oat flakes boiled in liquid, which become wonderfully creamy porridge due to the way they are prepared. Whether with milk, plant-based milk or water, honey, nuts or fruit – anything goes with oatmeal. This is presumably one of the reasons why it is so trendy.
Is oatmeal good for losing weight?
Yes, porridge can help you lose weight. The porridge phenomenon: unlike bread and butter or yoghurt, porridge keeps you full for a really long time – you usually don't feel hungry until lunchtime. This effect has been scientifically proven. Oatmeal keeps you fuller for longer and prevents cravings!
Why is oatmeal so healthy?
One of the main reasons why oatmeal is so healthy is its main ingredient: oat flakes. As a regional superfood, the nutrient-rich grain has long since conquered breakfast tables across the country. Oatmeal is considered to be both low in calories and high in nutrients. The perfect combination, in other words. Depending on how it is made, it is also either low in gluten or completely gluten-free. A portion of oats provides a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins B1, B6 and E, as well as magnesium, phosphorus, iron and calcium, are at the top of the list. On top of that, the grain has a lot of proteins and healthy fibres. For example, oats contain beta-glucans (a type of dietary fibre) that prevent a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Unlike simple carbohydrates, the long-chain carbohydrates are broken down much more slowly. This makes oatmeal a suitable breakfast for people with type 2 diabetes.
How many tablespoons of oats for breakfast?
Do you want to incorporate oats into your breakfast? As a guideline, 5 to 6 tablespoons of oats are enough for the first meal of the day. That's a serving of about 40 to 50 grams. You can make a delicious porridge with the oats.
What is healthier, oats with milk or with water?
In principle, both are good options. However, combining the oats with milk makes it somewhat more difficult to absorb the iron. The reason for this is the calcium in the milk, which inhibits the absorption of iron. For some people, preparation with just water is generally more digestible.
