Want to Feel Your Oats?

When you think about your favorite whole grains, do oats come to mind? Typically relegated to the breakfast table (and there’s nothing wrong with that!), oats are actually versatile in sweet and savory dishes–and they’re economical, too! But why are we pushing oats…? …Because we push plants as the way to eat if you care about animals, the environment, and your health. Whole grains are a part of that equation. Evidence of the health benefits of whole grains is widespread. Published studies from the Lancet, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Harvard University, and many other institutions confirm that if we want to add years to our life and life to our years, we had better belly up to the table for three servings a day. Yes, all other lifestyle factors aside, we can live significantly longer and reduce our risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke by eating whole grains. Tastes Great… Who doesn’t love a bowl of hot oatmeal with cinnamon, spice, and everything nice? We sure do, but we also love to sow our oats in all kinds of recipes. A quick round up of recipes on our blog is a testament to our oat-love. Make one…or all of these and see for yourself: Banana Walnut Mini Loaves         Raspberry-Almond Crumb Bars         Macadamia Oat Truffles         Morning Glory Granola         Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies       …More Filling! Oats should also be considered friends with benefits! Not only are they delicious in all kinds of recipes, but oats are also superstars of a healthy diet. Want to lose weight? Oats contain a soluble fiber (beta-glucan) that helps you feel fuller longer. Looking for more “regularity”? Oats are high in fiber and we all know what that means, right? If you love your heart, you should know that oats are associated with powerful heart-health benefits: They can help lower your bad cholesterol and keep your arteries clear. And if you know anything about how important gut health is (research suggests certain bacteria in your gut can prevent and treat many common diseases and the strength of your immune system can be linked directly to how healthy your gut is), you might be interested to know that oats promote good gut bacteria. Oats are cool! That’s why they’re used in lotions to relieve skin itching and irritation–they relieve inflammation. If they can do that on the outside, imagine what they can do on the inside!  Oats have special compounds that can reduce chronic inflammation in the body which is linked to a whole host of diseases. An Oat by Any Other Name Steel cut, rolled, old fashioned, they’re all names for this hearty whole grain. Confused by their many names? Let’s take a look:

• Oat groats are whole oat kernels that have had the loose, inedible hulls removed. Groats contain the intact germ, endosperm, and bran. This form is the least processed.
• Oat bran is the fiber in a groat can be eaten as a cereal or added to recipes to boost fiber content.
• Steel-cut or Irish oats are groats that have been cut into two or three pieces. They are small and hard, like tiny gravel. This type typically takes the longest to cook.
• Scottish oats are groats that have been stone-ground into a meal, creating a porridge-like texture when cooked.
• Rolled or old-fashioned oats, the most common type, have been steamed, rolled, and flattened into flakes.
• And quick or instant oats have been steamed longer and rolled thinner so that they can be ready to eat by simply pouring hot water on them.