Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a product of ground oat groats, cornmeal, peasemeal or a porridge made from this product. In the United States and Canada, 'oatmeal' can also refer to other products refined from oat groats, such as steel cut oats, crushed oats, and rolled oats. "Instant" oatmeal is pre-cooked and dried cut oats, usually with sweetener and flavor additives. Oatmeal is also used in some alcoholic drinks, cosmetics, soaps, external medical treatments and is sometimes an added flavor in canned animal products. These results cover Oatmeal as both a breakfast porridge and the use of processed oats in baking, as in bars and cookies.

Fast Facts

1. Regular intake may help lower cholesterol
2. High in fiber
3. Vermont has highest rate of consumption in the United States

Health Benefits

After reports found that oats can help lower cholesterol, an "oat bran craze" swept the U.S. in the late 1980s. The popularity of oatmeal and other oat products again increased after the January 1997 decision by the Food and Drug Administration that food with a significant amount of oat bran or rolled oats can carry a label claiming it may reduce the risk of heart disease, when combined with a low-fat diet. In addition to the heart benefits, oatmeal's high content of complex carbohydrates and water-soluble fiber encourages slow digestion and stable blood-glucose levels. Oatmeal porridge also contains more B vitamins and calories than other kinds of porridges.

Nutrition Facts

Cereals, oats, instant, fortified, plain, prepared with water Serving Size: 1 cup

• Calories: 159
• Total Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0g
• Sodium: 115mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g
• Protein: 6g

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