Why You Should Eat Oatmeal

Oatmeal has minimal amounts of vitamins, minerals and the other healthful nutrients that have been the subject matter of this book. However, one cup of oatmeal provides 16% of our daily requirement for fiber. Here is what the Mayo Clinic says about the importance of fiber in our diets. Normalizes bowel movements Dietary fiber increases the size of our stools and softens them; thus, reducing the chances of constipation. For those suffering from loose, watery stools fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool. A high fiber diet also lowers the risk of developing hemorrhoids and diverticular disease. Lowers cholesterol The soluble fiber found in oatmeal lowers the low-density or “bad” cholesterol levels in our blood. Diets high in fiber also have other heart related health benefits, including the reduction of blood pressure and levels of cardiovascular inflammation. Stabilization of blood pressure People who suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes can slow the absorption of sugar from their intestines and stabilize their blood sugar levels by eating a diet high in fiber. Diets high in fiber also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aids in weight control High-fiber foods are more filling than low-fiber foods like meat; thus, by eating more fiber you are likely to eat less and stay satisfied longer. High-fiber foods also take longer to eat and are less “energy dense” which means they have fewer calories per serving than other foods. Prevention of colorectal cancer Although the evidence is mixed, several studies have shown that high fiber diets reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. I hate oatmeal! From a personal perspective, I can’t stand the taste of QuakerOats oatmeal. A little over a year ago, I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis and needed to lose about 20 pounds of weight. I knew oatmeal was the answer, but couldn’t stand the taste of the stuff. Purely by luck, I tumbled to the Organic Multigrain Hot Cereal sold at Trader Joes. The taste of this cereal, while not all that great, is tolerable. I have been eating about ¾ of a cup of this oatmeal for breakfast each morning for the past year and during this period have lost 22 pounds in weight. A few other dietary changes have contributed to my weight loss, but I attribute most of it to the daily consumption of Trader Joe’s Multigrain Oatmeal.