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markjeffr... markjeffr...
 
M$2 January 09, 2009 06:12 AM

Why is 'steel cut' oatmeal supposedly 'better' for you?

I don't get it. What does the cutting implement have to do with anything? How can that affect the nutritional value of the actual food itself? What am I missing?

http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/B000FH19D0.01._AA280_PIbundle-4,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

~~~~ VERSUS ~~~~~

http://www.quakerinfo.com/images/oatmeal.jpg

??? Please explain
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cyberangel cyberangel
 
 January 09, 2009 06:21 AM
Steel-cut oats are whole grain oats (the inner portion of the oat kernel which have been cut into only two or three pieces) and have a lower glycemic index than instant oats. (meaning they're slowly digested and gradually released as sugar into the bloodstream)

The health benefits of whole grains go beyond fibre. Whole grains contain a package of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fibre and hundreds of phytochemicals, natural compounds that have health benefits. The individual components of whole grains are thought to work together to guard against disease.

Research show that eating oats, oat bran and oatmeal helps lower elevated blood cholesterol level thanks to their special type of soluble fibre, called beta-glucan. This soluble fibre also helps stabilize blood sugar levels by reducing spikes and dips, especially in people wth type 2 diabetes.

In addition to their high soluble fibre content, oats are also a good source of vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin E.

Source(s):
http://www.lesliebeck.com/ingredient_index.php?featured_food=81

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel-cut_oats

http://itsallgouda.blogspot.com/2009/01/float-your-boat-oats-steel-cut-oatm...



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kreicher kreicher
 
January 09, 2009 06:27 AM
Steel cut oats not only provide many nutrients beneficial to one’s body, there’s also another reason that they can aid in fat loss and general improvement in body composition. Enter the glycemic index.

Anyone serious about nutrition and looking their best should be aware of the glycemic index. The glycemic index is basically a ranking of carbs based on their effect on blood sugar levels. Carbs that break down quickly will have a higher GI, causing blood sugar to spike. On the flip-side, carbohydrates that break down slowly will have a lower GI, gradually entering the blood stream and avoiding that dreaded blood sugar spike.

These quick spikes in blood sugar levels lead to fat storage, obviously an unwanted byproduct. Eating steel cut oatmeal and other low GI foods will help keep blood sugar levels stable, decreasing fat storage and increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

In addition, rolled oats have a glycemic index of 50, whereas steel cut oats has a GI of 42.
Source(s):
http://ezinearticles.com/?Steel-Cut-Oats-and-the-Glycemic-Index&id=1569...


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elly2222 elly2222
 
January 10, 2009 03:54 PM
It's not just the way that are cut, but the other pre-processing that makes a difference. "Rolled oats" or regular oatmeal is pre-steamed to make it softer and flaked, which gets rid of some of the good healthy stuff, but steel cut oats are just cut - nothing else usually.
http://www.foodsubs.com/GrainOats.html#steel_cut

A good article on oats and nutrition/health (it explains that both rolled and steel cut are good for you, even if steel cut is better, so it doesn't treat regular oatmeal like it's a bowl of butter and candy or anything).http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=54

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