If you are like most people, having a healthy, low-calorie breakfast is difficult because mornings can be very hectic. Fortunately, there is a healthy breakfast that you can eat and you can prepare it in just a few minutes. It is oatmeal. Oatmeal has been trendy with foodies and celebs for a while now, thanks in part to its rep as a low-fat, high-protein superfood.
What if we told you that you could lose weight, lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes for as little as 13 cents per day? You probably wouldn’t believe it, but thanks to oatmeal—which costs less than a quarter per serving—it’s totally possible.
There’s nothing like a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold morning. And now, new research says having a serving oaty goodness may even actually aid in weight loss. Upward of 20 percent of Americans regularly skip breakfast. If you’re looking to lose weight, that’s a bad idea.
There are some people who think that oatmeal is bad for them because of its thick texture and the fact that it fills you up. This is not the case. Oatmeal is actually really good for you. A cup of instant oats served plain contains:
- 3 Grams of Fat
- 28 Grams of Carbohydrates
- 5 Grams of Protein
- 160 Calories
Starting Your Day With Oatmeal Can Help You Lose Weight
Starting the day with a healthful breakfast fills you up, making it easier to avoid high-fat and sugar laden snacks later in the day. As a whole grain, oatmeal is one of the healthiest choices you can make for breakfast. The energy you get from eating breakfast boosts your metabolism and can make you more physically active during the day and better able to burn more calories.
There are three primary reasons that oatmeal is the go-to breakfast choice for those who want to shed pounds.
First: It’s filling. Oatmeal is low in calories but high in fiber, which keeps you feeling full and less likely to snack all morning long. it is filled with refined carbs, which the body digests at a slower rate than it doescarbs like those found in sugary breakfast cereals. Results include a suppressed appetite and an energy boost.
Second: Oatmeal is incredibly versatile. Even the most bland brand of oatmeal is easily jazzed up with additions like cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin spice,fresh berries, apple chunks, banana slices or a spoonful of flavored yogurt.
Third: The best time to consume carbs is in morning when your body is better able to burn carbs more efficiently, assuring they’ll get used throughout the day rather than stored as fat.
The Fiber In Oatmeal Promotes Weight Loss
The major benefit of oatmeal when it comes to weight loss is its fiber content. Oats have more soluble fiber than any other whole grain. Some people believe that since fiber is a carbohydrate that it is bad for you.
This isn’t true. Fiber doesn’t break down to sugar like the typical carbohydrate does. Instead, it will absorb the water in your stomach, helping you feel fuller longer. It also prevents constipation. A cup of oatmeal contains about 4 grams of fiber. This is 13 percent of the recommended daily amount.
Best of all, some of the fiber in oatmeal comes from soluble fiber, which can combat belly fat. This is great for many people because stubborn belly fat is a very common problem.
Meal Replacement
Regardless of the health and weight loss benefits of oatmeal, some people does not to eat it because it tastes too plain. Fortunately, there are a few healthy ways that you can make your oatmeal taste better.
To dress up your oatmeal, you can add:
- Chopped apples
- Chopped bananas
- Chopped pears
- Fresh or frozen berries
- Pureed pumpkin
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Pecans
Throw them in a Smoothie
f your morning smoothie typically leaves your stomach growling you may want to consider adding some ground oats to your glass. After grinding up a handful of raw oatmeal in the blender, add the rest of your smoothie ingredients and blend until well combined. The result is a thicker, more fiber-filled smoothie, that’s sure to keep you feeling full well until lunch time.
Oatmeal or Cereal
Many people eat cereal for breakfast because it is quick and easy. Before you make cereal your go-to breakfast, you should know this. A study performed in 2015 to see which breakfast food was better when it comes to weight loss. Half of the participants were given cornflakes and milk for breakfast, the other was given oatmeal.
The subjects who were given oatmeal reported that they felt fuller, longer. Also, they lost more weight than the subjects who were given cornflakes.
Oatmeal keeps hunger at bay, which can help you stay slim. If you are looking for a breakfast that is easy to make, healthy, and tasty and satisfying, oatmeal is an excellent option. Best of all, this is one healthy food that isn’t going to cost you a lot of money.