Oats what is it made from

Sometimes, they are loosely cracked and used in breakfast porridge. Rolled oats play a starring role on the table in oatmeal , although they are also used to add texture to bread, cookies, and other baked goods. Oats are more tolerant to extreme conditions than some of their grassy relatives, like wheat , and it is probable that they began to be cultivated in Europe for that reason.

This grain continues to be farmed all over the world in areas that are not suited to more finicky grains. The grass is often used to feed livestock and provide bedding, especially in resource poor regions where the straw can be used for livestock bedding while the grains are eaten by humans.

Some animals eat it as a forage crop, while others eat the grain in a wide variety of commercial animal feeds. Particularly in Europe, this grain has been used to supplement the diets of livestock for centuries. At first, oats were not highly valued for human consumption because they have no gluten content, which made them unsuitable for bread. Although gluten free, they are frequently processed in facilities that share wheat and therefore may not be safe for individuals with extreme gluten intolerance.

With time, farmers began to realize the value of the nutritious grain and adopted it into their diets, although traditionally, they were looked down upon as a food for the lower classes who couldn't afford wheat.

Oats are a good source protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamin E, among many other nutritional benefits. They are an excellent dietary supplement for this reason. This grain is eaten by all classes, commonly in the form of oatmeal and granola bars. It frequently appears as an accent in baking as well. A study published in September in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences noted the discovery of evidence of ancient tools that would have been used to grind grains like oats.

Oats are steamed, flattened, and sliced in different ways, producing the several types of oats available. Oats are considered a whole grain because after processing, their bran and germ remain intact. In stores, you can buy steel-cut oats aka Irish oatmeal, which are chewier and heartier , Scottish oatmeal these are stone-ground oats and creamy , rolled oats aka regular or old-fashioned , and, as mentioned earlier, quick or instant oats, which are made by rolling oat flakes even thinner than the old-fashioned variety.

Oatmeal and oats are similar, but their calories, carbs, and nutrients vary slightly. Oats are mainly a carbohydrate. Oatmeal old-fashioned oats, cooked in water; 1 cup 6.

A whole grain, oats are rich in fiber, B vitamins, and the minerals phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate guidelines recommends getting at least half your grains from whole grains — more than half is even better. Adding more whole grains into your diet may help you live longer, according to a Harvard School of Public Health study published in March in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine , which analyzed whole grain consumption and risk of mortality in more than , men and women.

For every additional daily serving of whole grains, the risk of overall death or death from heart disease decreased by 5 and 9 percent, respectively, independent of other diet and lifestyle factors.

In the study, oatmeal eaters were defined as those who reported eating it within the last day. The reason oatmeal lovers may consume more nutrients is in part because oats are a source of whole grains. People also tend to pair milk and fruit with their oats, likely helping them get more vitamins, such as vitamin A, say researchers. They contain a soluble fiber , called beta-glucan, which not only favorably changes your cholesterol profile, but it also has antioxidants that protect blood vessels from LDL, or "bad" cholesterol , according to Oldways Whole Grains Council.

For one, oatmeal may increase feelings of fullness, therefore helping people eat less food and lose weight in the long run. And if you have a choice between cold cereal and hot oatmeal, go for oats. Research shows that compared with cereal, oats suppress appetite thanks to its beta-glucan fiber, which stimulates satiety, according to a study published in August in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

And despite the carb content of oatmeal, people with diabetes who are looking to reduce their weight can also eat it, per research published in September in the journal Nutrients. They also benefited from lowering their A1C — a two- to three-month average of blood sugar — and triglycerides. One caveat: There is a chance oats may increase weight gain when eaten in excess.

Instructing people to eat oatmeal may encourage mindless overconsumption — especially if its health halo makes you forget about portions. Too many high-sugar toppings can also do it. Old-Fashioned These are available sold in canisters, bags, or in the bulk aisle. Steel-Cut or Irish These offer a chewier, heartier texture. These can also be used beyond the breakfast bowl, including as a substitute for traditional rice dishes, like risotto and pilaf.

Colloidal Oatmeal can be used as a soothing bath treatment for itchy and inflamed skin. Oats will last in a cool, dry area like your pantry for 18 to 24 months. There are few reasons to fear oats, unless you have a specific food allergy to oats. If you are avoiding gluten due to a medical reason, oats are often the victim of cross-contamination with products that contain gluten wheat, barley, or rye during processing.

More popular than eating them raw: cooking them into a warm breakfast cereal, often overnight. Unless otherwise noted, each makes one serving. Always check the back of the package of oats for the proper cooking technique for that specific brand. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a Crock-Pot yep, a Crock-Pot , spray the insert with cooking spray. Combine 8 cups liquid water or half water, half milk with 2 cups of oats.

Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. This makes 8 servings of oatmeal that is relatively mushier in texture. On the stovetop, boil liquid of choice, stir in oats and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent it from bubbling over. Quick, or One-Minute Oats Boil 1 cup liquid. Cook for 1 minute over medium heat. Stir and let stand for two minutes. Let stand to reach desired thickness. A: No, they do not naturally have gluten. Oats can safely be consumed in a gluten-free diet , even in the majority of people who have Celiac disease and have to avoid gluten for medical reasons, according to information from the Celiac Disease Center at UChicago Medicine.

Still, some oats are contaminated by wheat, rye, or barley because they are processed in the same factories. If you have Celiac disease, look for brands that are certified gluten-free on the label.

A: You have a lot of options when it comes to oatmeal.