How long does it take to cook oatmeal?

Cereals are generally used as breakfast or to fill the stomach before going to bed at night. We just need to mix them with boiling water to prevent the vitamins from being destroyed. Oatmeal cannot be cooked for too long, otherwise the nutrients will be lost. Oatmeal cannot be eaten raw. It can usually be eaten after soaking in water for about 3 minutes. The nutritional value of boiled oatmeal is higher than that of soaked oatmeal.

Does oatmeal need to be cooked?

Looking at the instructions on the bag, you may find that some oatmeal needs to be cooked, while others can be eaten directly with boiling water. The oatmeal that needs to be cooked is generally mature oatmeal, which is called quick-cooking oatmeal. If it is only boiled with boiling water, it is still raw and cannot be eaten. However, most of the oatmeal sold in supermarkets is instant oatmeal, which is 90% cooked and can be eaten by just mixing it with boiling water.

How long does it take to cook oatmeal?

Oatmeal must not be cooked at high temperatures for a long time to prevent the vitamins from being destroyed. The longer you cook oatmeal, the more nutrients it loses.

Generally speaking, raw oatmeal needs to be cooked for 20-30 minutes, otherwise it will be too hard. People who like to eat soft oatmeal can cook it a little longer. Of course, cooking it too long is not good, as the nutritional loss will be greater.

Cooked oatmeal needs to be cooked for 5 minutes; if cooked oatmeal is cooked with milk, it only takes 3 minutes, and it is best to stir it once in the middle.

Oatmeal is better cooked

Generally speaking, cooked oatmeal is more nutritious than instant oatmeal, and oatmeal that requires a longer cooking time is best. The most common products in supermarkets now are instant so-called "nutritious cereals", which in fact cannot be considered as members of the "oatmeal family" at all. Because it contains very little oats but a lot of additives such as sugar and creamer, it not only adds extra calories but is also bad for your health, so it is best to eat less.

Another popular type of oatmeal is "no-cooking" oatmeal, which actually "requires high-temperature brewing." These oatmeal flakes are made by baking oats and then breaking them into small pieces. This way, it can be eaten in three to five minutes at most by brewing it with boiling water, which is very suitable for modern people with a fast pace. This type of oatmeal is mostly made of pure oats, but after processing, its nutrients, especially soluble dietary fiber, will be lost.

Is raw oatmeal better or instant oatmeal better?

Raw oatmeal is better.

These two types of oatmeal have certain differences in nutritional value due to deep processing and maturation process. In terms of appearance, raw oatmeal is crushed oatmeal. There is not much processing technology during the processing, and basically no other ingredients are added. It is simply pressing oats into oatmeal, which ensures the integrity of the cereals and exudes a light natural oatmeal aroma. Nutritionists believe that this whole grain food retains the most comprehensive nutritional components, especially various minerals and vitamins. Instant oatmeal is already cooked after being processed at high temperature, and this process will cause the loss of nutrients such as vitamins.

Since raw oatmeal is more natural and has not been deeply processed, it takes a longer time to cook, preferably 20-30 minutes. It also has a lighter taste, so it is best to add some milk or eggs for flavoring. When eating instant oatmeal, you only need to add hot water or hot milk to mix it, or heat it for 3 minutes and it is ready to eat. This is convenient and quick for people who are short on time, especially white-collar workers.

Therefore, raw oatmeal is better than instant oatmeal, has higher nutritional value, is more beneficial to people's health, and has increasingly become a "family member" of people.

The difference between pure oats and oatmeal

In daily life, we often refer to oatmeal as oats. Strictly speaking, oats and oatmeal are different:

1. Different nature

Oats, also known as naked oats, are commonly known as oil oats and corn oats. They are a low-sugar, high-nutrition, high-energy food. It not only has high nutritional content but also excellent quality, making it one of the most popular whole grains among modern people. Oatmeal is cereal made from oats that have been finely processed. It is generally flat in shape, with a diameter approximately equivalent to that of a soybean. It has a complete shape, is easy to eat, and tastes good. It is a popular health food, or snack.

2. Different viscosity after cooking

The instant oatmeal that has been processed by speed processing feels a bit loose and crumbly, but its original shape can still be seen. Oats become highly viscous after being cooked, which is caused by the healthy ingredient beta-glucan in them. Its effects of lowering blood lipids, blood sugar and increasing satiety are closely related to this viscous substance. In general, the thicker the same amount of oatmeal is after cooking, the better the health benefits.

3. Different convenience of eating

Oats are finely processed into cereal, which is more convenient to eat and has an improved taste. It is a popular health food. For example, the cooking time is different. Most of the oatmeal sold in supermarkets is instant oatmeal, which is 90% cooked and can be eaten after adding boiling water. Oatmeal is more difficult to cook, taking at least twenty to thirty minutes.

4. Different ingredients

Oats and oatmeal are not simply two different forms of the same substance. Some additives are added to oatmeal during processing for the taste, and its internal ingredients are very different from oats.

Which is better, oats or oatmeal?

Oatmeal is more convenient and ready to eat. Pure oats are difficult to digest, while processed oatmeal is better. However, when it comes to health and wellness, oatmeal is still the best choice.

Because most of the processed oatmeal sold on the market contains many additives, such as maltodextrin, sugar, creamer (non-dairy creamer), flavors, etc. These additives can make oatmeal taste better, but they are not good for the body. For example, creamer contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, the "trans fatty acids" in it can promote the occurrence of heart disease.