Porridge is made from oats boiled in milk or water and is a source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Weetabix, on the other hand, is a type of cereal made from whole wheat and is a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein. The choice between the two may depend on personal taste and dietary requirements.
If you're trying to lose a little bit of belly fat, Weetabix could be a good way to start the day. They are low in sugar and fat, yet high in energy, and will keep you full for longer.
Porridge is our top choice for a heart healthy breakfast – when it is made with low-fat milk or water and unsweetened. All porridge oats are wholegrains and they all contain a soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which can help lower your cholesterol level if you have 3g or more of it daily, as part of a healthy diet.
'Oats are a good source of whole grains, which are usually low in fat and rich in fibre,' explains Ibitoye. Their gradual release of energy helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and keeps you fuller for longer, too.
Stick with whole grain varieties
To get the healthiest and most filling cereal, choose one that's predominantly (or ideally, fully) whole grain. On the label, you're looking for the first ingredient to say whole wheat, brown rice, oats, whole grain corn, or another whole grain (such as quinoa, amaranth, or sorghum).
As you can see below, they both have similar amounts of protein, carbohydrate and dietary fibre. The only major difference is oats have more fat and slightly more calories. Additional point: - Be cautious of flavoured oats, they have slightly less protein and can have up 24 x the amount of sugar.
Among other benefits, oatmeal is touted as having the ability to keep you full, effectively squelching the desire for that midmorning snack. Glance through a popular magazine's list of healthy breakfast foods and you'll likely find oatmeal in the group.
"The fiber content of oatmeal is filling and satiating, which in turn can help with eating fewer calories throughout the day and managing your weight," says Michalczyk. "Beta-glucan may also promote the release of peptide YY, a hormone produced in the gut that helps with satiety."
Porridge made from rolled oats, steel cut oats etc. is much better for you. Oats are a whole grain and have many proven health benefits. Be careful to avoid 'instant oats', and products with added ingredients such as sugars etc.
Best weetabix alternative: Aldi Harvest Morn Wheat Bisks. Best golden syrup-flavoured porridge: Quaker Oats So Simple Golden Syrup Porridge. Best special k-style cereal: ASDA Special Flakes Cereal. Best fruit & nut muesli: Lizi's Super Muesli Glow.
At Healthy Food Guide, we have no problem with people – children and adults alike – eating Weet-Bix as part of a balanced diet. As breakfast cereals go, Weet-Bix is low in sugars, sodium and saturated fat, while being high in fibre. To make a balanced breakfast, we'd recommend adding skim/trim milk.
The fibre in Weetabix can be a little harsh on the tummy of a very young baby and some parents have found that it can cause diarrhea and nappy/diaper rash.
Boxed cereal has a very high refined sugar content, and refined sugar is quickly digested, leading to a spike in blood glucose, which triggers an insulin rush followed by an energy crash and hunger.
Weetabix is fortified with certain vitamins and minerals and if eaten to excess, then you could be taking in too much of these nutrients. We would recommend that an adult eats no more than four (4) Weetabix biscuits per day.
Oatmeal is lacking in two macronutrients that help you stave off hunger for hours. Fat and protein are key ingredients to add to your oatmeal to keep you fuller, longer. And while it does have some protein, it's not enough to keep hunger at bay. Fat does the best job keeping you fuller, longer.
While oatmeal does have some protein in it, it's not enough to keep you feeling full after your meal. Plus, without any fats in your bowl of oats, you'll likely feel hungry soon after eating breakfast. An easy solution to making your oatmeal healthier is by adding a fat source and protein source to your oatmeal.
And while oats are also high in carbohydrates, the carbs in oatmeal provide energy and make you feel fuller for longer. According to research in the American College of Nutrition, oatmeal kept participants from feeling hungry for longer than regular breakfast cereals.
New research suggests that calorie-for-calorie, a serving of porridge is more filling than a bowl of oat-based cereal. The researchers, who published their findings in the Nutrition Journal, found that eating porridge for breakfast is more satisfying helps manage hunger better than cereal.
Porridge is one of the most nutritious foods available. For starters, it's an excellent source of carbohydrates for energy and fibre to aid digestion. In fact, one bowl of porridge provides more fibre than a slice of wholemeal bread — one reason to swap your morning toast for some oats from time to time.
High-fiber foods not only provide volume but also take longer to digest, making you feel full longer on fewer calories. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains all contain fiber. Popcorn is a good example of a high-volume, low-calorie whole grain.
Oatmeal. Hot or cold oatmeal might help prepare your body for sleep and keep you full throughout the night. Oats contain magnesium as well as melatonin, the sleep hormone. Consider making a batch of overnight oats with dried fruits and seeds for a simple nighttime snack option.