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When it relates to breakfast food, you cannot do much better than oatmeal. At the time I lived in Great Britain it always went by the name of porridge, and I'm sure it is more popular there as opposed to within the United States. It has a long history there, as it had been the food of peasants of that area, particularly in Scotland and Ireland. When these areas weren't blessed having a wealth of good for your health natural foods such as we find within the Mediterranean area, having oatmeal as a basic became extremely critical. Dietary fiber is on the peak with the nutrient list, plus the bonus here with oatmeal is its combination of about 50/50 soluble and insoluble fibers. Both become extremely important to our health for proper digestion. It will be also considered heart-healthy due to its tocotrienols, which are antioxidant compounds that inhibit cholesterol synthesis resulting in lower blood cholesterol. Other benefits to having soluble fiber in the body is how it controls blood glucose and insulin levels, therefore stopping insulin spikes as well as diabetic problems. It works by slowing digestion by forming a gel in the intestines as it becomes absorbed in water. The gel becomes digested slower, prolonging the length of time the carbohydrates are taken into the system. Slower absorption means large spikes of sugar levels in the blood stream will be averted. Which takes us to the initial question: what is actually better, steel cut or rolled oats? The solution is from an absorption point of view, we are going to favor the steel cut oats. They really are essentially the same oats as rolled, but it is the way they are processed that produces the difference. Because steel-cut are denser, they will take more time to digest as opposed to rolled oats. And by and large, the more any food is processed, or the less natural it really is, the less healthy it will be for you. The minimal quantity of processing that goes into steel-cut oats makes them the more healthy choice. The downside (and it isn't really much of a downside while health is concerned) is that they are a bit difficult to cook. Steel cut oats require somewhat longer to make, although we believe it's well worth the time. Combine 3 cups of water, a cup of steel cut oats, and a little salt to bring out the naturally nutty flavor. Much like cooking rice or quinoa, bring to a boil, after that cut the heat back to allow it to simmer without covering the pan. Stir on a regular basis then at about the 20 minute mark begin checking the oat's progress. The more time you permit it cook at this time, the less chewy it will be. Finish the oatmeal off with some fruit, dried or fresh, or toasted nuts. Cinnamon also works well, as will a spoonful of maple syrup or honey. If you are cooking breakfast for only one or a couple of people, you can prepare a bigger quantity and store it inside the refrigerator for as much as a week. Just microwave it for only a minute, mix in a little milk and heat for an additional minute. People have traditionally eaten oatmeal as their first meal, and have not really known much more about it that it comes out of a Quaker Oats box. But there are different ways that it is profits, and this great food offers so many nutritional benefits, such as being rich in fiber. Jim O'Connell is a writer and health enthusiast living in Chicago.
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