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I cooked all of them on the stove (when possible) as opposed to the microwave.

A definitive list of the healthiest oatmeals.

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(Mornings are hard enough as it is.)

Grab your bowlshere are the 5 tastiest, most nutritious oatmeals out there.

A ranking of the healthiest oatmeals

1.

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holistic nutritionist and founder of NAO Nutrition

Some of the brands with superfoods, likechia seedsand hemp, are pretty crunchy.

(The average oatmeal has six grams of protein and five grams of fiber.)

Pros:

Cons:

2.

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Purely Elizabeths 6-Grain Ancient Cereal was also part of the taste-test, but it was a bit too grainy.

Real talk: It looks a lot like bird seed.

But while the texture is crunchy, the savory blend isnt too overwhelming.

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Still, Ostrower is a fan.

It also has zero sugar and salt, and is gluten-free.

This is exactly what oatmeal should taste like.

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holistic nutritionist and founder of NAO Nutrition

Light in texture, it doesnt have that stuck-in-your-mouth feeling of other oatmeals.

While its non-GMO, it isnt organica major consideration for Ostrower.

Also, she isnt a fan of the ready in five minutes thing.

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Its a little more processed, which means the body breaks it down more rapidly, she says.

For people who have blood sugar issues or are diabetic, theyll want to go for something slower-cooked.

That rules out instant oatmeals, too.

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Ostrower points out that it has seven grams of protein and eight grams of fibermore than the average oatmeal.

But there is one thing on the label that she takes issue with: the sugar content.

There are five grams in here, while the other brands hardly have any, she says.

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What types of healthy oatmeal (and oats) are there?

To do so, she recommends cooking them on the stovetop with boiling water for about 30 minutes.

Scottish oats

Steel cut oats which are then stone ground are called Scottish oats, Poon says.

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Poon explains rolled oats are oat groats that are steamed and flatted, making them quicker to cook.

Instant oats

Rolled oats that are partially cooked are considered instant oats.

But, because they are processed they contain less protein and fiber than the other oat options.

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Oat bran

Oat bran, Poon says, is not technically a whole grain.

It is made from oat groats ground up outer casing, and is high in soluble fiber.

In just three minutes, youll have a hot, creamy cereal ready to eat.

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These oats absorb the liquid well and will expand into a soft and creamy meal overnight, she says.

She adds that you could also use instant oats to make overnight oats.

However, they offer less nutritional value and the consistency may not be ideal.

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So rolled oats are your best bet.

Traditional oatmeal

Like to stick to the basics?

Steel cut oats are Poons preferred oat for a traditional bowl of oatmeal.

They are highly nutritious, but do not take as long to prepare as oat groats, she says.

Steel cut oats also provide a more rigid texture than rolled oats.

For this preparation method, she recommends swapping some flour for rolled oats in recipes.

Frequently asked questions about oatmeal

Is organic oatmeal better than regular oatmeal?

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide on oat plants, Poon says.

So, yes organic oatmeal is definitely the better choice.

Are raw oats more nutritious than cooked oatmeal?

Although you’re free to technically eat raw oats, Poon doesnt recommend it.

They are difficult on the digestive system and may cause issues, she says.

Raw oats also contain phytic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients.

By cooking or soaking the oats, youre eliminating these potential consequences.

Is packaged oatmeal healthy?

However, Poon notes that not all packaged oatmeals are created equal.

Be wary of sugar content.

Many packaged oatmeal options are pre-sweetened, she says.

Do organic oats taste different from ordinary oats?

What can I do/add to make oatmeal less bland tasting?

The good news is there are tons ofingredients you’re free to put in oatmealto jazz it up.

Think of oatmeal as a blank canvas.

In particular, Poon recommends playing with overnight oats.

How can I improve the taste of oatmeal and keep it healthy?

Once youve got that down, you’re free to pretty much add whatever toppings suit your fancy.

Van Bruggen, A H C et al.

Environmental and health effects of the herbicide glyphosate.The Science of the total environmentvol.

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