If you’re looking for a way to kick-start your day and improve upon your nutrition, you should not overlook the benefits of Quaker oats. Many people are in the habit of turning to cold cereals to fit their nutrition bill but cold cereals are often high in sugar, low in dietary fiber, and it’s very easy to consume more than a standard serving of this variety.
If you were to actually measure out how much cold cereal you’re eating in a sitting, you might be surprised to find out that it’s 2-3 times as much as you thought – which means you need to multiply your calorie intake for that cereal by two to three times as well.
It adds up quickly and if you’re on a fat loss diet plan, calorie counting is a must.
Oatmeal on the other hand is a nice change of pace from the ‘everyday’ and as long as you go for the unsweetened variety, you can get your day started off right.
You do need to make sure that you are choosing the unsweetened variety however otherwise it’s highly likely that you’ll end up taking in more calories and sugar than you were prepared for.
Let’s take some time to go over the six big benefits of Quaker oats for breakfast.
1) They’ll Fill You Up Fast
The very first reason to go for Quaker oats first thing in the morning is because they’ll fill you up fast. With just a third of a cup serving (raw measurement to be cooked), you will definitely feel like you’re eating a good amount of food.
This third cup serving is only going to provide you with around 120 calories total, so nothing that is going to put a big dent in your daily calorie budget.
Since they are higher in volume than cold cereal, you’ll get more food for far fewer calories, making them very diet-friendly.
2) They’re High In Fiber
Second, the next reason to go for Quaker oats in the morning is because they’re very high in fiber as well. It’s imperative that you do focus on taking in a breakfast cereal that is high in fiber first thing in the morning because this will help you more easily reach your daily fiber intake requirements and because it will help to promote more stable blood glucose levels throughout the morning.
Those who shun fiber first thing in the day are far more likely to be hitting up the vending machine during their mid-morning coffee break.
Fiber is going to help the entire meal ‘stick to your ribs’ longer, so that you aren’t as tempted to snack when you shouldn’t.
3) They’re Fast To Prepare
Moving along, another great thing about Quaker oats is that they’re fast to prepare as well. You can easily cook up a batch in about four minutes if using the instant variety, or fifteen if not. While instant oats are going to break down and digest slightly faster than the steel cut variety, they still will not spike blood glucose levels nearly as much as that sugar-laden cold cereal will.
If you’re often in a rush in the morning and don’t feel as though you have time to whip up an elaborate breakfast meal, Quaker oats is the perfect selection.
You also have the versatility of either preparing them in the microwave or preparing them on the stove instead.
4) They’ll Lower Cholesterol
Moving along, the next thing to keep in mind is that Quaker oats are going to lower your overall cholesterol levels as well. If you are at risk for heart-health problems or already suffer from high blood cholesterol, it’s imperative that you’re taking a look at what you can do to treat and manage this.
High cholesterol levels are one of the leading causes of heart problems as well as metabolic syndrome X.
The high amount of dietary fiber in the Quaker oats, as mentioned above, will further help make this a very heart-healthy food.
5) They Can Be Used Many Different Ways
Another excellent benefit of Quaker oats for breakfast is that they can be used in a number of different ways. If you aren’t a fan of eating them plain on their own, not to worry because there are plenty of ways that you can boost the flavor of them and make them all that more enjoyable.
First, consider mixing in your favorite flavor of protein powder after they’re cooked. This will make them a more complete breakfast meal since you’ll already have that protein in there.
Additionally, you can also add in some natural nut butters for healthy fats, either with the protein power or on its own to help round out the carb source as well.
If you need a hint of sweetness, try stirring in some cinnamon or a touch of honey. While honey does contain calories, it’s a more natural form of sweetener, so better for the body than pure table sugar.
Another fast way to liven up a bowl of oatmeal is to add in some unsweetened applesauce or some canned pumpkin. Both are also great sources of nutrients that will provide almost no added calories.
Finally, you can also prepare the oatmeal with milk instead of water, adding a more creamy taste to the bowl while increasing the protein and calcium content.
6) They’ll Provide A Lasting Source Of Energy
The last reason to go with Quaker oats for breakfast is because they’ll also provide you with a long lasting source of energy that stands the test of time. Oatmeal is going to break down and digest very slowly, so if you have an active day ahead of you, they are a great fuel source to get you through.
So keep these quick points in mind and realize for yourself the true benefits that Quaker oats have to offer. They are one of the best breakfast foods that you can turn to in order to get your diet off on the right track.
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