Oatmeal is considered one of the healthiest, it is suitable for quick satiety and for those who wish to lose weight. Oatmeal helps to flush out toxins and calm the nervous system, and many healthy dishes are prepared from it.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 342 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 12.3 |
| Fat in 100 g, (g): | 6.1 |
| Carbohydrates per 100 g, (g): | 59.5 |
| Glycemic index: | 55 |
The composition and calorie content of oatmeal, vitamins and minerals
Oatmeal contains a lot of fiber, it is rich in protein compounds. The fats present in it are easily absorbed and do not allow you to feel hunger for a long time. It contains a lot of vitamins A, PP, E, K and B vitamins. The mineral composition is also varied. These are sulfur, nickel, manganese, phosphorus, fluorine, iodine and iron. Oatmeal is considered a real dietary product. The calorie content of boiled porridge is 88 units, in milk – 102 kcal.
Why oatmeal is good for you
In addition to the fact that oatmeal allows you to lose weight and not feel hungry, it is useful:
- as a food that lowers blood sugar levels;
- it lowers cholesterol levels through dietary fiber and polyphenols;
- reduces the risk of heart disease;
- due to the high content of vitamin B6, it helps the amino acids to be absorbed better and faster;
- reduces the risk of asthma several times;
- stimulates the digestive tract;
- improves mood thanks to vitamin B6.
And the most interesting thing is that oatmeal works like a kind of sponge, which removes food debris from the gastric mucosa and removes them.
Benefits of oatmeal for women
The beautiful half of humanity respects this product for its dietary qualities. Indeed, porridge allows you to lose extra pounds, and not feel hungry for a long time. In addition, it allows you to establish the work of the endocrine system and cope with urinary diseases. Oatmeal has a low glycemic index and normalizes metabolic processes in the body.
Benefits of oatmeal for men
For the male half of humanity, porridge is useful as a product that allows you to build muscle mass and at the same time not stock up on fat. For this reason, porridge is often consumed by bodybuilders.
Oatmeal can also improve erectile function. It contains arginine, which helps to activate the circulatory system and relax the muscles. Porridge improves sperm quality and stimulates sperm motility.
Oatmeal during pregnancy and breastfeeding
The chemical composition of oatmeal allows it to be consumed without any restrictions during preparation for childbirth and during lactation. It helps to improve immunity and purify the blood. During pregnancy, a woman who consumes this porridge will be able to get rid of the manifestations of toxicosis, drowsiness and improve mood. Oatmeal can help relieve heartburn and prevent the flatulence and bloating that often occurs during pregnancy. Doctors are sure that with regular use of oatmeal, women can tolerate pregnancy much easier and do not suffer from stomach problems.
Is it possible to oatmeal for children
For the first time, the baby begins to feed with oatmeal from 8-9 months. However, porridge is not one of the first to be fed; buckwheat or rice should first appear in the diet. Oatmeal contains gluten, which can cause allergic reactions.
Porridge is introduced gradually, starting literally from a teaspoon, with the obligatory observation of the reaction to oatmeal. If there is no individual intolerance, then you can gradually increase the amount of porridge. Initially, it is recommended to give it without any additives and even without milk.
Is oatmeal good for weight loss?
Due to its low calorie content, oatmeal is recommended for inclusion in the diet. However, the calorie content increases depending on the ingredients added. Therefore, if sugar, jam, dried fruits, butter are added to it, then such a dish can no longer be called dietary.
You should also not get carried away with this product, since oatmeal is primarily carbohydrates, from an excess of which, often excess weight appears. It is best to alternate porridge with other cereals: buckwheat, rice, millet.
Oatmeal for diabetes
Due to its low glycemic index, oatmeal can be included in the diet of diabetics. It also helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces the body’s need for insulin.
Scientific studies have been able to confirm that with a monthly daily consumption of oatmeal, the sugar level decreases, as does the need for insulin by 40%.
What oatmeal treats. How to take it medicinally
Oatmeal is widely used for medicinal purposes, with its help you can cleanse the stomach without any fear for your own health. To do this, natural oatmeal is ground in a blender, bringing it to the state of flour. Pour boiling water over three tablespoons of oatmeal so that all of it is covered with water. Leave to swell for a few minutes. Then they are consumed before breakfast in 30 minutes. It is allowed to add dried fruits or honey to the porridge, but in no case should it contain sugar or salt. It’s also best to drink a cup of green tea 30 minutes in advance of your oatmeal. The full course of treatment is 30 days.
You can cook oatmeal jelly, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and allows you to effectively cope with constipation, reduce the manifestations of gastritis. To prepare a drink, 2 cups of flakes are poured with 1 glass of cold water and left to swell for 12 hours. After that, water is added to the mixture so that it completely covers the flakes and put on fire. Boil for 1.5 hours, adding a little water so that the dish does not burn.
The use of oatmeal in cosmetology
Oatmeal is widely used for cosmetic purposes, as it moisturizes, cleanses the skin and acts as a natural analogue of most expensive cosmetics.
You can wash your face with oatmeal, this method will eliminate flaking, relieve irritation and unclog pores. For cooking, you need 1 glass of flakes, which are ground in a coffee grinder and add a little water to make a gruel. Every day, one tablespoon of the mixture is diluted with water or milk, you can use kefir and applied to the face and neck area. After a few minutes, the mask is washed off with plain warm water.
It can even be done much easier. A small amount of flakes is mixed directly in the palm of your hand with water and applied to the skin of the face with light massaging movements. Then they are washed off with water.
Masks are made from oatmeal. The most common for normal skin type – boil oatmeal for 30 minutes over low heat. Remove the resulting foam in a volume of 2 tablespoons and mix it with sour cream and egg yolk. Apply the mask for 20 minutes on the face and neck area. After this procedure, the skin becomes very soft and smooth.
You can use oatmeal to make cleansing scrubs. One tablespoon of flakes is mixed with pumpkin (previously grated) and a teaspoon of vegetable oil is added. Peeling of the face is done with light movements for 1 minute and the composition is left on the face for another 15 minutes, after which it is washed off with cool water.
A good effect can be achieved if you use oatmeal for hand care. Baths can be done only 2 times during the week, after which the rough skin will disappear, the cracks will disappear, the skin will become smooth and clean. Two tablespoons of oatmeal is mixed with warm milk and some fish oil is added. The resulting mixture is applied to the hands for 20 minutes. To cope with the manifestations of wilting and aging of the skin, honey is used instead of milk.
Oatmeal harm and contraindications
Australian scientists argue that an excessive enthusiasm for oatmeal can cause the leaching of calcium from the body and, as a result, the development of osteoporosis. In addition, it contains a lot of phytin, which tends to accumulate and which interferes with the absorption of calcium. For this reason, it is not recommended to eat porridge more often than 3 times a week.
Individuals who have a gluten intolerance or tendency to do so should be careful. Oatmeal contains a lot of this substance. In principle, for this reason, if gluten is not absorbed by the body, then there is increased gas production and diarrhea. It is not uncommon for porridge to cause allergies, especially in childhood. Allergies are usually caused by gluten.
Oatmeal is a healthy natural product, provided that it is consumed in moderation. The product also has high dietary characteristics, provided that it is not mixed with high-calorie foods such as butter or jam.