Can Oatmeal Really Help Me Lose Weight? May 16, 2007
Posted by Lisa Sabin in Weight Loss, healthy lifestyles, nutrition.trackback
Magical Oats
Oats are high in soluable fiber. What that means is that oatmeal acts like a sponge which absorbs cholesterol and removes it from your system. 3 grams of fiber has been shown to reduce cholesterol, specifically LDL, which is low density cholesterol. This equates to about 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal a day. RDA recommends 5-10 grams of soluable fiber every day. 20-35 grams total.
I’m no expert on nutrition, but I have a personal testimony about the benefits of morning fiber. A couple of years ago I decided to change my anything-goes morning breakfast (usually sugary cereal or pop-tarts on the go) for some yogurt mixed with granola. I quickly become addicted. I actually FELT better throughout the day, mentally because I knew I was eating better and physically because my fiber intake was up and I was getting a regular dose of calcium. Anyway, since then i’ve stayed with the yogurt + granola breakfast and anytime i’ve slacked off and then returned to the routine, I can tell a difference all over again. It’s a simple change that has really worked for me.
Fibre = oats = porridge . . . hmmmm now THAT’s the way to get me set up for the day!
This is the first year that I’ve deliberately eaten before morning training sessions, and I can definitely testify to the slow, consistent fuel burn that you get from oats. When mixed with a little extra protien in the diet, I found that I also lost a few pounds (without trying – or DID I also increase my training at the same time? I’ll have to check the log), and added a little muscle.
Good stuff huh? I like to put a little flax and walnuts on mine, with some cinnamon and brown sugar.
What a great blog .. I think if people educate themselves more in relation to the types of food they eat … they sure would make better choices in the future … Instead of the quick take away they may take the time to care about themselves instead and prepare a whole meal that the body wants and loves ..
I am an oatmeal lover—plain and simple with nothing on top—so I enjoyed reading your post. This is a very informative blog and I look forward to reading more of it.
Thank you. As a trainer I get a lot of questions about various topics related to health and fitness. I like to research and write about topics that are interesting to both myself and my clients.
Ever since I read your post yesterday morning, I’ve been craving oatmeal!!! (the home supply is running low)
I absolutley love oatmeal. i cannot imagine my breakfast w/o it. i think i could eat it for the rest of my life. I love cinnamon on it, and fresh fuits. I also found that it helps me lose weight. It not only helps to absorb cholesterol, but it keeps you full longer, so you don’t have to constantly eat.
I love oatmeal. But i find that it doesn’t fill me. Everytime I eat it. In fact it makes me hungrier as if I didn’t eat at all and I tend to have to get something else about 1/2 hour later. I dont understand how they say that oatmeal makes you feel full longer. It certainly doesn’t work for me. Any suggestions?
I have the same problem as Lou…I eat Quaker Oats…with no sugar or anything added…I just put 1/2 cup in my atkins high protein/low carb shake and let it sit there for about 5 minutes and just eat it like that and I find that an hour later I am hungry as if I had eaten nothing vs when I just have the shake by itself it keeps me satisfied for hours…I love oatmeal and eat cause I like it, but I had to stop cause I was getting very hungry an hour later…any ideas as to why that may be?
i am trying to figure out the best breakfst for me that will help me lose weight QUICK. hehe…… do you recommend oatmeal? like quaker oats?… also i only eat oatmeal with SALT… nothing else. no sugar. no cinnamon. just a bit of salt to taste….. is that healthy still?
wen i thought 2 reduc my weight i plan for oats bt wen i had tat i feel its tasteless bt still i want to continue bcz it hlps 2 reduc weight whic was suggested by a doctor also…so be confident n hav oats rgularly….