If you're a regular reader of my column, you'll know that I'm a big fan of breakfast. Not only does it keep you fueled for the day ahead, but also gives your metabolism an early boost to help burn fat and build muscle. However, it can be hard to make yourself eat breakfast if you're not in the habit. This is where oats come into play: they're easy to cook up and can be turned into anything from porridge to healthy cookies! And this isn't just good for your waistline; oats are also packed with essential nutrients that will help you stay healthy throughout the day (and beyond). So let's take a closer look at some reasons why oats should be your breakfast champion!
Oats are low-GI food.
Oats have a low-glycemic index (GI). The GI is a measure of how quickly our bodies digest food. Foods with a low GI are digested slowly and don't cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly, which means they're good for people with diabetes or who are trying to lose weight.
Eating foods with a low GI is healthier for you because it helps maintain stable energy levels throughout the day, keeps your appetite in check, and reduces cravings for sugary foods that make you feel tired later on in the day when you've burned through all those calories!
Foods with high GIs are metabolized quickly, causing an energy spike shortly after eating them followed by feeling tired soon after because their quick rise in blood sugar causes insulin levels to drop rapidly; this leads many people into eating more carbs than they need at mealtimes just so they can keep going through their day without passing out from exhaustion!
Oats are a natural source of soluble fiber.
Oats are a natural source of soluble fiber, which means they're good for your digestion. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and can help you feel fuller for longer. It also has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, making it an excellent choice for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Oats are also rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, and folate), vitamin E, and selenium - all nutrients that support good health by boosting energy levels as well as strengthening the immune system against disease-causing free radicals that damage cells in the body.
Oats can help manage blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
Oats are a great source of fiber and can help you to feel full for longer. This makes them ideal for managing blood sugar levels and cholesterol, as well as weight loss. Oat bran is rich in antioxidants that protect against free radical damage, which may lower your risk of developing some cancers or cardiovascular diseases.
The glycaemic index (GI) is a measure used by dietitians and nutritionists to show how quickly different foods raise blood glucose levels after eating them compared with pure glucose (which has a GI value of 100). Foods with a low GI value cause less rapid rises in blood glucose than high GI foods do; this means they're less likely to contribute towards the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and heart disease.*
Oats have been shown to be helpful when it comes down to regulating blood sugar levels because they contain soluble fiber - these types tend not only to slow down digestion but also increase feelings of fullness after eating.*
Oats are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and selenium.
Oats are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and selenium.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate oatmeal every day had higher levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind) than those who didn't consume oats at all. This means that eating oats regularly can help lower your risk for heart disease.
Oat bran has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent in individuals with high blood pressure or diabetes. Additionally, regular consumption could help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol by 5 percent or more compared with other grain products like wheat bran or corn meal.*
In addition to lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, oats may also help protect against diabetes by stabilizing blood sugar levels after meals.*
Studies show that eating oats regularly may help you lose weight and keep it off.
Oats are a good source of fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer. Studies show that people who eat more fiber tend to weigh less than those who don't.
In addition to being low-calorie and filling, oats are also slow-release carbohydrates that release energy slowly over time. This helps keep your blood sugar steady while reducing cravings and overeating later in the day--two factors that can lead to weight gain in some people (1).
Oats contain soluble fiber that may lower cholesterol levels (2). They're also rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium--both important nutrients for heart health (3).
There are many reasons why oats should be your breakfast champion!
- Oatmeal is a great source of fiber.
- Oatmeal can help you lose weight.
- Oatmeal can help lower cholesterol.
- Oatmeal is a good source of B vitamins and vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, and zinc--all important nutrients that keep your body running smoothly!
Conclusion
There are many reasons why oats should be your breakfast champion! They're low-GI food, which means they won't spike your blood sugar levels. They also provide a natural source of soluble fiber that can help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Oats are also rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and selenium - all nutrients that are essential for good health. Finally, studies show that eating oats regularly may help you lose weight and keep it off!
