7 Health Benefits of Oatmeal (+ Our Favorite Oatmeal Recipes) (2024)

Oatmealdeserves to be loved throughout your day, not just for breakfast. Not only is oatmeal a superfood that’s super good for you, it also curbs cravings and suppresses your appetite. Show your oatmeal some love at sun-up, sun down or somewhere in between and you’ll showyour body some nutritional love too.Oatmeal’s health benefits are so long they read like your grocery or To Do list (whichever is longer). Where to begin? Here are seven reasons to love oatmeal at any time of day and be sure to check out our healthy oatmeal recipes.

Table of contents

  • Health Benefits of Oatmeal
    • 1) Oatmeal lowers cholesterol.
    • 2) Oatmeal reduces your risk of stroke and heart attack.
    • 3) Oatmealgives you energy.
    • 4) Oatmeal helpswith high blood pressure
    • 5) Oatmeal can keep you full longer.
    • 6) Oatmeal is easy to prep and use.
    • 7) Oatmeal isa great gluten free option

Health Benefits of Oatmeal

1) Oatmeal lowers cholesterol.

High cholesterol at your latest physical? While it’s important to consult your doctor about any medical condition, oatmeal has the potential to reduce high cholesterol when added to your diet. The soluble fiber in oats helps remove LDL or bad cholesterol, while maintaining the good cholesterol that your body needs.

2) Oatmeal reduces your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Not only does oatmeal help with high cholesterol, but studies show the fiber in oatmeal can lower your risk or strokes and heart attacks, too! Oat bran contains even more fiber than oatmeal, making it another great choice to keep your heart healthy.

3) Oatmealgives you energy.

Oatmeal is a low glycemic food, giving you more energy and helping you feel fuller longer. A study found that people who consumed a low-glycemicmeal like oatmeal before a run had much better endurance than those who ate a high-glycemic meal.

4) Oatmeal helpswith high blood pressure

If you want to lower your blood pressure naturally, consider adding a bowl of oatmeal to your breakfast menu. One study found that people with high blood pressure who ate oatmeal were twice as likely to be able to reduce their blood pressure on their own without medication.

5)Oatmeal can keep you full longer.

Oatmeal can keep your cravings away. A study published in theNutrition Journal, found that eating a bowl of instant oatmeal for breakfast is more satisfying and helps to manage hunger better than the same amount of calories from a leading oat-based, cold cereal, even when consumed in smaller portions. The results showed that when subjects ate oatmeal, they reported less hunger compared to the ready-to-eat cereal. Oatmeal also provides increased fullness and reduces the desire to eat more. Oatmeal can help you with weight loss and weight maintenance by reducing your likelihood of grabbing a snack or overeating at your next meal.

6)Oatmeal is easy to prep and use.

Both old-fashioned and steel-cut oats are whole grains that are minimally processed so they don’t lose the bran or wheat germ. (They only differ in how they are milled.) Short on time? Try quick-cooking oats (also known as instant oats) that have been precooked, dried and rolled.

And if you buy any of the individual packets, just be sure to read the ingredient label. Many of the individual packets are loaded with sugar. You can make oatmeal stove top, in the microwave or overnight oats so you can grab and go. Overnight oats are usually served cold—just soak raw rolled oats in liquid (low-fat milk or almond milk) and use one part oats and one part milk. They come out thicker and fluffier than cooked oats.

Plus, you can get added nutritional benefits by decorating up your oatmeal with yummy add-ons like berries, flaxseeds or chia seeds, almonds, cinnamon, banana, raisins or a dollop of honey.

7)Oatmeal isa great gluten free option

Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidantsand is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates, iron and fiber. If you are gluten-free, good news … many oats are too! To make sure your oats are good to go if you have a gluten intolerance or if you are gluten-sensitive, read this!

Our Best Healthy & Delicious Oatmeal Recipes

You may have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of your day, and that’s because making the right choice early on can determine your energy level and how eat the rest of the day. (Breakfast skippers, I’m talking to you!) But if you skip that bowl of oats early on, you still have plenty of opportunity to get your oatmeal fix.

You can bake with oatmeal, make delicious oatmeal snacks and desserts, and even use it for main meals. Three pepper oat pilaf anyone? Here’s our favorite healthy oatmeal recipes.

Breakfast Oatmeal Recipes

High Protein Overnight Oats

If you’ve tried overnight oats before but found your stomach rumbling just an hour later, you’re going to want to try this high protein overnight oats recipe. A scoop of protein powder added to the oats helps sustain your energy levels all morning long.

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Blueberry Walnut Protein Pancakes

This page may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, Get Healthy U may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These protein pancakes are perfect post-workout but so delicious you’ll want to make them all the time. And with 18 grams of protein per two pancakes and

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Vanilla Raspberry Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats arethe perfect solution forbusy students, mothers, and workers who don’t want to skip out on “the most important meal of the day.” Overnight Oats can be as simple or as fancy as you want them and require little time to prep. You can make five for the week, all with different ingredients to

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Healthy Breakfast Cookies

Mornings can be hard. Whether you’re getting kids out the door or just getting yourself into work, eating a healthy breakfast can sometimes be a challenge.These healthy breakfast cookies made from a base of bananas and oats and are the perfect solution for those busy mornings. Just make a big batch on Sunday and have

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Overnight Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Thisdreamy oatmeal is anything but run of the mill. Using one of my favorite flavors (PUMPKIN!), this simple and healthy breakfastwill be a family favorite in no time. A great back-to-school recipe, this is easily prepped the night before and served up quickly in the morning to get the kids out the door. Your kiddos

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Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal with Macadamia Nut Crunch

We love oatmeal for breakfast and when it can easily be made ahead of time and last all week, we love it even more! Make this high protein, high fiber oatmeal bake on Sunday night and look forward to breakfast all week. Made with almond butter and coconut oil, it’s keeps you satisfied all morning

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Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal

There is something so deliciously comforting about carrot cake. The nuttiness of pecans, the sweetness of cinnamon and raisins, it’s a perfect combination of flavors. And now you can have it for breakfast with this super easy, super filling carrot cake oatmeal. This breakfast comes together in minutes and is a great way to start

Banana Bread Oatmeal

This banana bread oatmeal tastes just like banana bread! But, it requires way less work to prepare and can, in fact, be made in just a few minutes on any weekday morning. It also has healthy fats from almond milk and walnuts, fiber from the oatmeal and natural sweetness from the banana!

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Oatmeal Snack Recipes

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Energy Bars

These healthy peanut butter and chocolate energy bars are to die for! Made from natural ingredients that taste amazing you will really taste the homemade difference from those high priced bars you buy in the store. Perfect on the go healthy snack for school, the office, or even in the car. The oats, peanut butter,

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Apple Cinnamon Energy Bars

A twist on my homemade energy bars that have a nice apple cinnamon oatmeal vibe. These energy bars don’t have chocolate or peanut butter so great for peanut-free schools and kids! An apple cinnamon energy bar is the perfect snack on the go. The seeds and nuts are a great source of protein and Omega-3

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Why buy expensive power bars when these no-bake energy balls are so darn tasty & EASY! These little energy bites are packed with protein, high quality fats, and a bit of dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. You simply mix up all these tasty ingredients and stick in the fridge to set. Kids love

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No-Bake Apple Pie Energy Bites

I love pie! Pretty much any kind, but apple is one of my favorites. I’ve tried other apple energy bite recipes and created this one which I think tastes just like apple pie. As long as you have a food processor this recipe is a snap! A great nut free lunch box idea, or to

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Oatmeal Dessert Recipes

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is one of my all time favorite desserts. Every year as a little girl growing up, I used to ask for an apple crisp instead of a regular birthday cake. It has always been my signature dessert! This Thanksgiving, I wanted to try a new extra delicious apple crisp to serve my family.

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Healthy Baked Apples

These baked apples are perfect for a healthy snack for one or stylish dessert for company. Pretty enough for a crowd, this baked apple recipe is filled to the brim with toasted oats, pecan pieces, dark chocolate, sliced pear, and honey goat cheese. It’s a gluten-free, easy-to-make, low-carb dessert that tastes like pure decadence. Once

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Fresh Fruit Pizza

This Fresh Fruit Pizza with oatmeal cookie crust is a healthy and delicious dessert that is a family favorite. This fresh recipe is full of color, vitamins, and it’sthe perfect sweet treat for any picnic, barbecue, or holiday. Plus, this healthy recipe is easy to whip together in a hurry! The crust is chewy and

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Hunger Busting Peanut Butter Cookies

These nutty oatmeal cookies are chewy and moist! Each cookie has a good balance of protein and fiber, which will ensure that you not only satisfy your sweet-tooth, but also keep it satisfied without the need to overeat!Peanuts and peanut butter are a great source of monounsaturated fat and other nutrients shown to promote heart

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Oatmeal is such a superfood, it needs to venture out of your pantry and make its debut beyond your morning routine. What’s your favorite way to get your serving of oatmeal goodness? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

READ THIS NEXT: Healthy Breakfasts For A Crowd

7 Health Benefits of Oatmeal (+ Our Favorite Oatmeal Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What happens to your stomach if you eat oatmeal everyday? ›

Your Gut Bacteria Will Thrive

Oatmeal is also a prebiotic food, which feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Maintaining healthy gut bacteria—also known as your gut microbiome—will benefit your body's immune system, improve your mood and digestion, and help to ward off diseases.

What is the healthiest thing to put on oatmeal? ›

Additions to make it healthier

Here are some foods to pair with oatmeal to bolster its protein or fat content: a couple of spoonfuls of nut butter, nuts, or seeds. a scoop of protein powder. beaten egg whites (mixed into oatmeal while cooking) or a fried egg on top.

Is eating oatmeal everyday good? ›

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.

Is there a downside to eating oatmeal? ›

As it is bland in nature, overconsuming oats may lead to an increase in sugar intake. Opting for an oats-only diet may deprive your body of getting nourishment from other healthy food sources.

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

How do you sweeten oatmeal without sugar? ›

Some other things that make oatmeal taste good without sugar are:
  1. Bananas.
  2. Berries.
  3. Unsweetened Applesauce.
  4. Mango Chunks.
  5. Chopped Dates.
  6. Fresh and Dried Coconut.
  7. Unsweetened Almond Milk.
  8. Maple Syrup.
Sep 12, 2023

What is the healthiest fruit to put in oatmeal? ›

Fresh Fruit like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, melons, apples, peaches and pears are all tasty and healthy fruits you can mix with oatmeal for added sweetness. Most fruit is rich in vitamin C, fiber and other essential nutrients.

Is Quaker Instant oatmeal good for you? ›

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.

Are Quaker oats healthy? ›

Oatmeal Has the Fiber You Want. There's solid evidence that whole grain oats and oat bran can help lower blood cholesterol thanks to the power of beta-glucan – a soluble fiber, largely unique to oats, that basically tells your liver to pull LDL cholesterol out of the blood.

What are the pros and cons of oatmeal? ›

Oatmeal can contribute to lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, and its filling nature aids in weight management by providing a sense of fullness. On the flip side, a potential con is that oatmeal can be calorie-dense, so portion control is crucial to avoid excessive calorie intake.

Are oats inflammatory or anti inflammatory? ›

Oatmeal has anti-Inflammatory properties.

Any type of oats — steel cut, rolled or instant — provide health benefits, but the best of the best are steel cut oats since they are the least processed, offer a touch more nutritional value and are the lowest on the glycemic index.

What to eat with oatmeal? ›

Dried fruit like mulberries, goji berries, jujube, and dates lend chewy texture in addition to fruity flavor. Top with nuts and seeds for an extra crunchy, extra hearty bowl of oats. We like hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, and toasted coconut.

Does oatmeal lower blood pressure? ›

Oatmeal is a great breakfast choice if you have high blood pressure, but oat bran can provide even more health benefits, since it's higher in fiber, which can help to lower blood pressure and improve digestive health. Oatmeal also contains soluble fiber, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.

Does oatmeal cleanse your stomach? ›

Whole grains are rich in fiber and will help to cleanse the colon. Oats, oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are all great sources. Try to incorporate 3 – 5 servings per day into your meals.

Do oats cause gut inflammation? ›

Their results have outlined that oats are a valuable source of nutrients without gut inflammation, but other aspects, such as noninflammatory associated symptoms and the benefits of modulating the gut microbiome, have not been studied.

Does oatmeal make your bowels move? ›

As a source of dietary fiber, oatmeal may be good for constipation relief. Oatmeal is a nutritious whole grain that can be beneficial for health. Oats are high in dietary fiber, so eating oatmeal may help someone prevent or manage constipation or difficulty with passing stool.

Is oatmeal hard for the stomach to digest? ›

Since oatmeal is a complex carb, it's digested slower than foods containing simple carbs. However, oatmeal also contains dietary fiber, which helps with digestion and absorption. When these two factors are combined, the digestion time of oatmeal is relatively fast and takes about two to three hours.

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