Enjoying a tasty bowl of oatmeal every morning is an excellent way to get your day started. Keep reading to learn more about the many health benefits to be gained from eating oatmeal, also the ways that you can implement it into your diet to help lose those extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight.
How oatmeal can help you lose excess bodyweight
Most likely, you have heard that oatmeal is a great way to add more fiber to your diet, which is extremely beneficial to your health. However, many people may not be aware that eating oatmeal can actually help you on your quest to lose excess weight.
Traditionally, oatmeal was very popular when our grandparents and parents were growing up on porridge for breakfast. Today, children have so many different options for breakfast, including cereal, toaster pastries and pre-cooked meals, that oatmeal has fallen off the charts of top breakfast foods. When compared with the breakfast foods of today, oatmeal may seem a little tasteless and boring.
However, oatmeal is actually more effective as a weight loss food and surprisingly more helpful than many other breakfast options. Oatmeal is packed full of valuable minerals, as well as both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Oatmeal may also help lower bad cholesterol levels
When soluble fiber goes through the digestive tract, it is broken down and turned into a sort of gel, which works effectively to trap “bad” cholesterol. In fact, it only takes one-half to one cup of oatmeal every day, according to research, to take advantage of this amazing cholesterol-lowering effect.
In addition, soluble fiber digests slower. The carbohydrates and sugars that are in oatmeal need an extended amount of time to get into the blood stream. This means that the rise in the blood sugar is more spread out over a longer period of time.
The fiber within oatmeal helps you feel fuller for longer
Therefore, the fiber that is found in oatmeal not only keeps you feeling fuller longer, but it also slows the release of sugar into the blood, which prevents the pancreas from becoming excessively stimulated and releasing too much insulin. This means you will be less likely to experience cravings that may keep you snacking all day long.
Adding oatmeal to your diet
If you are not crazy about the flavor of oatmeal, there are many tasty ways to improve the taste so you can implement it easily into your regular diet. One way is to add a little spice. For subtle sweetness, add a little cinnamon or nutmeg for a spicy punch. Experiment with your oatmeal to determine the spices that taste the best to you.
Another healthy way to add a little more flavor to your oatmeal is by adding fruit, such as blueberries, figs, strawberries and bananas. Not only will your taste buds dance from natural sweetness, but also your whole body will benefit from the additional fiber.
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