How to Cook Oatmeal
If want a hearty and delicious breakfast to start your day, one healthy option you can try is oatmeal. This cereal product is made from oat grains, and when cooked turns out to be a delicious porridge. Here’s how to prepare a hot bowl of oatmeal the right way.
Health Benefits Of Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not only yummy, but is also very healthy. Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as other nutrients, which give many benefits to the body.
People who are more prone to eating oats are less likely to develop heart disease.
Soluble fiber reduces bad LDL cholesterol, but does not lower good HDL cholesterol. It also slows the digestion of starch, which is very good for diabetics.
Oats’ insoluble fiber has cancer-fighting properties that attack bile acids.
Oatmeal contains nutrients such as protein, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, copper, manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Oatmeal promotes growth and strength of muscle, teeth and bone.
It’s best to choose plain oat flakes over flavored varieties. Flavored oatmeal has plenty of sugar, which then suppresses its health benefits.
Steps
This procedure is best used for rolled oats or quick-cooking oatmeal. You’ll need water, milk, salt and brown sugar. Adding raisins or other fruit (blueberries, bananas or strawberries) is optional, but adds nutrients and flavor.
Get a pot and put the water and oatmeal in it. The ratio should be three cups of water for every one cup of oatmeal.
Bring the mixture to a boil, adding half a teaspoon of salt.
When the water starts to boil, stir the oatmeal around.
Bring the mixture to a boil again, continuously stirring so it becomes thick.
Lower the heat, then let the oatmeal simmer. The complete cooking time is 15 to 20 minutes for rolled oats and 10 minutes for quick-cooking oats. Keep the oats from sticking by stirring the pot occasionally.
Add milk, brown sugar and raisins or fruit to taste. Serve the oatmeal while it’s hot.
A bowl of hot oatmeal is a great way to jump start your day. If you’re tired of eating this though, you can also use it as a facial mask. Whichever way you want to use it, this food will definitely do your body right.