Also known as:
Oatmeal, quick cooking oats, quick rolled oats, rolled oats
Description:
What better way to gain the strength and energy to carry you through a hectic morning schedule than with a steaming bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal. Oats are harvested in the fall but are available throughout the year and can add extra nutrition to a variety of healthy dishes. Oats, known scientifically as Avena sativa, are a hardy cereal grain able to withstand poor soil conditions in which other crops are unable to thrive. Oats gain part of their distinctive flavor from the roasting process that they undergo after being harvested and cleaned. Although oats are then hulled, this process does not strip away their bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of their fiber and nutrients.
Commonly used in:
porridge, cookies, cakes, bread, thickening agent etc.
Health benefit:
Oats have been around for centuries & a bowl of porridge has always been considered a satisfying breakfast because of the best source of soluble fiber which helps lower blood LDL cholesterol, the so-called "Bad" cholesterol. Oats absorb the extra fat & flush it out of the system and cure constipation because of the high soluble fiber & assist in regulating gastro-intestinal functions. It may also help stabilize blood glucose levels, which could help people with non-insulin dependent diabetes. Oat meal rejuvenates the endocrine systems & enriches sexual pleasure because it matures the nerves. Oats have some unique fatty acids & antioxidants which together with vitamin E slow cell damage & have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. Oats are low in fat & salt; they are a good source of natural iron. Being a good source of calcium, they are ideal for heart, bones & nails.
