Oatmeal and porridge are basically the same thing – it's what you get when you add milk or water to oats and cook them. At
Surprisingly, oatmeal is a type of porridge. Though all oatmeal is considered porridge, the term porridge does not always refer to oatmeal. Still, the two words are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing. Unlike porridge, oatmeal is always made from rolled, ground, or flattened oats.
All you need is some water or milk to cook your oats in, and you'll have your oatmeal in no time. As oats are a type of grain, oatmeal is essentially a type of porridge that contains only oats. You can use a variety of different oats for making oatmeal to create the perfect taste and texture.
There aren't any major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. All forms of oats are 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber and have the same nutritional information – same calories, fiber and protein per serving.
Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.
Adding water or milk to porridge
The key to cooking a creamy, delicious porridge is the correct ratio of milk to water. Too much milk will make your oatmeal porridge stickier and thicker. No milk at all and your porridge will lack that creamy taste. Of course, you don't have to use milk at all if you don't want to.
The starch granules absorb water, disrupting the hydrogen bonds between their chemical components. This causes the granules to swell. Over time, this swelling of starch granules causes the porridge to thicken. This process is starch gelatinisation; for oat starch, it kicks off when the temperature reaches around 60˚C.
Oatmeals have a low glycemic index of about 55. It means that consuming oatmeal does not cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. In addition, oatmeals are high in fibre content and help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and fulfil the daily ideal fibre intake.
“Rolled oats have a higher GI than steel-cut oats as they actually have been partially cooked, making them increase your blood sugar faster,” says Kaufman.
Oatmeal and porridge are basically the same thing – it's what you get when you add milk or water to oats and cook them. At Uncle Tobys we think of oatmeal as being chunkier and coarser as opposed to our Quick Oats and Sachets, which produce a creamier bowl of oats.
While oatmeal can be a beneficial part of the diet, it is not healthful as a sole source of nutrients. Instead, a person should aim to eat a variety of fresh, whole foods, while spending more time being physically active.
Steel cut oats are the least processed form of oat cereal and when cooked have a nutty flavour with a good texture. They taste great as porridge or can be used in home baking.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
With so few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthful fat, people with diabetes can enjoy an avocado in moderation without the stress of raising their blood sugar levels. Pairing an avocado with other foods may help reduce blood sugar spikes too.
Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest. In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we'll be soaking. Once they're soaked, it's time to cook.
When soaked overnight, the starch present in the oats is naturally broken down and more nutrients are absorbed by the oats through the period of soaking, the acid present in the oats also breaks down overnight and this results in better digestion. Due to its soggy texture, it is much easier to consume in the morning.
The steps to perfect porridge. The best way to prepare your rolled oats is to soak them overnight in enough water to cover them (allow half a cup of oats per person). You could add some almonds to pre-soak with the oats. Soaking grains and nuts makes them easier to digest.
Porridge made with organic British semi-skimmed milk and wholegrain jumbo oats.
Oat Milk: What better match for your warm and cosy oats than oat milk? Although oat milk is significantly higher in carbohydrates than dairy milk, for a plant based milk it has a good amount of protein and calcium, as well as being a source of dietary fibre.
Heat the water (for example in a kettle). Put the oatmeal in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Pour the boiling water into the bowl. Stir the porridge well until it reaches a creamy consistency.