are steel cut oats healthier than old fashioned oats

Are instant oats still a healthy breakfast option?Ī: Absolutely! As I said, the benefits really don't differ between the three types of oats. Q: It sometimes seems as if, when it comes to food, convenience comes at the price of health. You wouldn't want to put steel-cut oats in an energy bite, for instance! Otherwise, all three are great options. If you're using oats in a non-oatmeal recipe, it is important to use what's called for so that the recipe comes out right. For other people, texture is important, and they find the delicious bite of steel-cut oats more desirable. There are also culinary and personal preferences! For some people, that preparation time is a huge deciding factor. Q: Besides shape, texture and cooking time, are there any other important differences between these three popular types of oats?Ī: You hit on the major differences –shape, texture and cooking time. All forms of oats are 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber and have the same nutritional information – same calories, fiber and protein per serving. There aren't any major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. Q: Are there major differences in the health benefits of steel-cut, rolled and instant oats? If so, what are they?Ī: Great question, and one that we get a lot. Manager, Nutrition Sciences PepsiCo Global R&D Doing this may help curb her curiosity about these foods without undermining the values of good nutrition you have instilled in her. It would be better to allow her to sample these foods on occasion than to ban them entirely.

It is unrealistic to expect your child to never eat sweets or other unhealthy snacks.

Expert InsightĪ Quaker nutrition expert weighs in on the different oats, and reveals her favorite savory oatmeal recipe.

What's The Difference Between Steel Cut and Old Fashioned Oats?Ī quick breakdown of what you need to know about the two breakfast favorites. They microwave in minutes, and have a soft texture.Ĭhoosing your oat is largely about the texture you prefer and the cooking time you're willing to dedicate. Instant Great for mornings when you need a quick bite, individually packed instant oats are a thinner, more finely chopped version of rolled oats. Quick Cook: If you want stove-cooked oats but are in a hurry, these oats, which cook in one minute, are a great option. Also called Irish oatmeal, steel-cut oatmeal is chewier than rolled or instant. Steel Cut: These oats, which take about 20-30 minutes to prepare, are chopped into tiny pieces and have a tough texture before they are cooked. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats - usually in about 5 minutes - and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins. Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. So what's the difference between the four most popular types of oats? Here's a crib sheet. Related: Surprising Uses For Oats The Breakdown The variations in processing determine the type of oat that results. All oats begin as groats, or kernels of grain that are later processed into different varieties. As a daily part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, whole grain oatmeal, in any of these forms, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Thin and finely chopped grains microwave in minutes soft textureīefore we break down the difference between your four options, let's start with what they have in common. Thin grains cook in 1 minute smooth texture Steel Cut:Ĭhopped grains cook in 20-30 minutes chewy texture Instant: Flatened grains cook in 5-10 minutes firm texture Quick Cook:

Are steel cut oats healthier than old fashioned oats