Rolled Oats vs Quick Oats - A Dietitian Explains - Hannah Magee RD (2023)

FAQs

Which is healthier rolled oats or quick oats? ›

Rolled oats tend to be slightly higher in nutrients like fibre and protein, and have a slightly lower glycemic index compared to quick oats. This is due to the higher amounts of processing that quick oats undergo.

In terms of your morning bowl of oatmeal, yes, rolled oats and quick oats are interchangeable. However, rolled oats are better for baking and cooking because they retain their texture better than quick oats. This makes them the ideal addition to baked goods like my autumn granola breakfast cookies.

Steel-cut oats, also called Irish oatmeal, are the whole oat kernel that has been cut into two or three pieces using steel disks. This type of oats contains the highest amount of fiber, as it is least processed.

Health Benefits of Quick Oats

Although the nutrition content is similar to rolled oats, quick oats may impact blood sugar differently. Instant oats are quicker to digest and have a higher glycemic index than steel cut oats.

Contrary to popular belief, instant oats have the same nutritional benefits of regular oats. The biggest problem with instant varieties? All those flavored options can be bursting with added sugar! Many of your favorite flavored brand will set you back at least 3 to 4 teaspoons of added sugar per serving.

There aren't any major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. 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.

Metric per metric, rolled oats and steel cut oats are almost the same when it comes to nutritional value. However, steel cut oats beat out rolled oats in two areas, fiber content and density, which make steel cut oats the best bang for your nutritional buck.

If you are particularly trying to shed kilos, steel-cut oats are better as they contain a high amount of fiber. The fiber content in it can keep you fuller for a longer time and control cravings for unhealthy food items. Eating fiber-rich food also improves the count of healthy gut bacteria.

Oatmeals have a low glycemic index of about 55. It means that consuming oatmeal does not cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. In addition, oatmeals are high in fibre content and help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and fulfil the daily ideal fibre intake.

Oatmeal. Is oatmeal easy to digest? You'll want to stay away from packaged instant oatmeal because of the amount of added sugar, but oatmeal made from raw oats and flavoured with honey is one of the most easily digested foods out there. It's also one of the most nutritious whole grains.

Which oatmeal is best for digestion? ›

According to Burak, steel-cut oats are beneficial to your gut health because they act as prebiotics and contain soluble and insoluble fiber, which are both good for your gut.

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Steel-cuts and rolled oats have a lower glycemic index than quick oats, potentially making them the best choices for blood sugar control.

Choose Whole Grains: If you're buying pre-packaged oats, opt for whole grain versions instead of processed ones as they contain more fiber and nutrients which can help prevent gas after eating oatmeal.

Quick oats are steamed longer and rolled into thinner flakes, then cut into small pieces. Because quick cooking rolled oats have a greater surface area, they can absorb liquid more quickly, which makes for a faster cook time and a softer texture. Rolled oats take longer to fully cook and absorb liquid.

Benefits include lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, protection against skin irritation, and reduced constipation. In addition, they are very filling and have many properties that should make them a food helpful for weight loss. At the end of the day, oats are among the nutrient-dense foods you can eat.

"They are all actually identical in terms of their nutrition. The difference is how they are rolled and cut." However, Price added that since instant oats are the most processed option, they generally have salt and added sugars. "This puts them on the lower end of the healthy spectrum, but they're still healthy."

Another common benefit of choosing oatmeal for breakfast is that it can help you lower inflammation. It isn't a miracle food that will remove your inflammation instantly, but it can be consumed as a part of a well-balanced diet and can help contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle.

Old-fashioned oatmeal provides many nutrients, including carbohydrate, protein and a small amount of natural fat. Because it contains the oat germ, it is rich in minerals, such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Quaker® Old Fashioned Oats are whole oats that are rolled to flatten them. Quaker® Steel Cut Oats are whole oats that have not been rolled into flakes. Instead, they are cut approximately into thirds. Quick Quaker® Oats are simply cut into slightly smaller pieces so they cook faster.

Why are quick oats cheaper? ›

The Differences

Because quick oats are sold in a bulkier fashion, they're often cheaper. Instant oats often have preservatives and additives and can come in a variety of flavors, from Maple Brown Sugar to seasonal Pumpkin Spice. Quick oats have only one ingredient– oats– and don't usually come in flavored options.

Due to their density, steel-cut oats are cooked with a higher ratio of liquid than rolled oats. They yield a larger portion, meaning you can eat less oats and consume fewer calories. Steel-cut oats take longer to digest, helping you to stay full longer and causing less of a rise in blood sugar.

“Eating whole grain oats can prevent diabetes and lower cholesterol levels, which could prevent cardiovascular disease.” Some studies show that oats have anti-inflammatory effects, Sang says, “which could prevent inflammation related to chronic disease.”

Oats for weight loss

Oats are super rich in fibre content, which helps you remain full and prevent overeating and binge-eating. Proteins keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent insulin spikes that may lead to fat storage. Oats are super low in calories, making them great for aiding weight loss.

"Whole grain oats contain soluble fiber which helps to lower cholesterol," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and a member of our medical expert board. "Steel-cut oats, in particular, can help to lower cholesterol and are high in soluble fiber."

Whole-grain oats: Best bet for lowering cholesterol - Harvard Health.

Eating oatmeal can spike blood sugar levels if you choose instant oatmeal with added sugar or consume too much at once. Oatmeal may negatively affect health in those with gastroparesis, a health condition that causes delayed gastric emptying.

But this convenience means your body breaks down both types of oats quickly, which means the carbohydrates in the oats are more rapidly converted to glucose and absorbed. That can lead to a spike in blood sugar.

Steel-cut oats are best for type 2 diabetes because they are the least-processed version of oat groats. “Rolled oats have a higher GI than steel-cut oats as they actually have been partially cooked, making them increase your blood sugar faster,” says Kaufman.

What is the purest form of oatmeal? ›

Groats are the purest form of oatmeal. They are made from hulled grains, which are then toasted to make them more edible. Groats are considered the healthiest oatmeal because they go through very little processing. Because the grains are still whole, nutrients stay intact.

Steel-cut oats have a GI score of about 53, and rolled oats — of about 57. Steel-cut oats may take longer to digest, reducing spikes in blood sugar. Both oat types are better choices than other forms, such as instant oats, which have a GI of about 83.

The most porridge/oatmeal eaten in one minute is 557 g (1 lb 3.64 oz) and was achieved by Andre Ortolf (Germany), in Augsburg, Germany, on 4 August 2021.

Every time you eat a bowl of oats, they get busy feeding your body fiber, and fiber can help keep things moving through your colons and intestines. And that's great – because you definitely want to make sure that colon is chugging along.

Certain grains: Gluten-free oatmeal and brown rice are usually well-received by people with IBS and provide soluble fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.

"Oats contain a special type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan," says Michalczyk. "Beta-glucan forms a gel-like consistency in the gut and helps to keep things moving in your digestive tract and keep you regular." This helps with bulking up your stool, making it easier for your bowel movement later.

Salt brings out the nuttiness in oatmeal, and as it cooks it develops a warm, toasty flavor.

People should start with oatmeal two to four times a week and work their way up to daily servings, he says. It may be beneficial to have a large glass of water with oatmeal to help move the fiber through the GI tract to reduce bloating and stomach pain.

Steel-cut oats are a power food. Packed with protein, a bowl of this wholesome oats can help in giving you extra energy to sustain throughout the day.

Steel cut oats are rich in protein and fiber, improving fullness and helping to provide the macronutrient building blocks of a healthy diet. They are also an excellent source of: Vitamin B Complex. Iron.

Should steel-cut oats be rinsed before cooking? ›

Cover and leave in a warm area of your kitchen for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.

Oats can be a fantastic gut-friendly food as part of a healthy, varied diet. Here are four of their digestion-boosting benefits. Most simple of all, the high fibre content of oats helps us have regular and healthy bowel movements. To a nutritionist, this means at leastone easy bowel movement a day…

Whole grains such as wheat and oats contain fiber, raffinose, and starch. All of these are broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, which leads to gas.

If quick-cooking oats are used in a recipe in place of old-fashioned rolled oats, the texture will be different, but that will probably matter very little in most recipes. You can also make oat flour, or ground oats, from oats.

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

According to Burak, steel-cut oats are beneficial to your gut health because they act as prebiotics and contain soluble and insoluble fiber, which are both good for your gut.

Phase 1: Eat oatmeal for three meals for one week. Eat whole oats instead of instant oats. You can add some fruits to oats during this phase. Phase 2: During the second week, you need to eat oats for at least one or two meals in a day with healthy low-fat options for the rest of the meals.

Eating oatmeal 3 times a day may help you lose weight. Oats are filling and low in calories, so they can be beneficial for those trying to lose or maintain their weight. Additionally, oats contain soluble fiber which helps to reduce cholesterol levels and inflammation in the body.

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

Are quick oats too processed? ›

Also referred to as quick oats, instant oats are the most processed of the three oat varieties. They are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled and pressed slightly thinner than rolled oats. They cook more quickly than steel-cut or rolled oats, but retain less of their texture, and often cook up mushy.

Protein or healthy fat: Enjoy oats with a protein or healthy fat such as eggs, nut butter, or Greek yogurt. Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add protein and healthy fat, which can help stabilize your blood sugar.

A modified diet with β-glucan from oats was reported to be superior to the American Diabetic Association's diet in improving metabolic and anthropometric profiles in well controlled type 2 diabetic patients: larger decreases in glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), weight and body mass index (BMI); greater increase in ...

Make sure that you are rinsing them well. People tend to skip this step, but from my personal experience, I find rinsing them well omits this. It also helps in washing away the sticky starch that can make oats gummy.

Oatmeal. Is oatmeal easy to digest? You'll want to stay away from packaged instant oatmeal because of the amount of added sugar, but oatmeal made from raw oats and flavoured with honey is one of the most easily digested foods out there. It's also one of the most nutritious whole grains.

Oatmeal and Banana Combination

Both oatmeal and bananas contain soluble and insoluble fiber, each of which helps you maintain proper bowel health. Soluble fiber also helps lower your cholesterol level, so increasing the amount in your breakfast by adding a banana to your oatmeal is a healthy choice.