Oatmeal is the hulled grain of oats. MayoClinic.com lists oatmeal is one of the top five foods to lower cholesterol levels because it contains soluble fiber that reduces the low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol. Many people consume oatmeal as a breakfast cereal. There are many ways to process oats, and those available include rolled oats, steel-cut oats, quick-cooking rolled oats and instant oatmeal.
Oats Health Benefits
Whole grain oats contain several B vitamins, minerals and vitamin E. Minerals in oats include iron and calcium. In additon to soluble fiber, oats also have gamma linoleic acid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated in 1997, that foods containing oat bran or rolled oats may help to reduce the risk of heart disease if consumed as part of a low-fat diet. Oatmeal's high content of complex carbohydrates and water-soluble fiber also promotes slow digestion and aids in the maintenance of stable blood-glucose levels.
Oatmeal Cookies
Most of the oats' health benefits will remain in a cookie. However, the actual health benefit will vary based on how processed the oats in the cookie are. A 30 g serving of oatmeal cookies will have, on average, 120 calories, 5 g of total fats, no cholesterol, 110 mg of sodium and 18 g of total carbohydrates. These carbohydrates include fiber, sugar and 2 g of protein. Oatmeal cookies are not a significant source of vitamin A, C, iron or calcium. Preparing the oatmeal cookies with ingredients such as raisins can enhance the health benefits of this food.
Enhancing the Benefits
As with any grain, you should not cook oats for more than 30 minutes. The longer you cook the oats, the higher your body's glycemic response to the oats. This means that your body's blood-sugar levels will rise rapidly and then fall rapidly as your body produces insulin to lower the high blood-sugar levels. This can lead to weight gain and diabetes.
Other Considerations
Another benefit of oats is that they give you a lasting sense of fullness. Consider eating oatmeal cookies earlier in the day to provide your body with a source of energy and nutritional benefits. You can also make oatmeal cookies healthier by baking the cookies with less sugar and butter or by adding natural spices such as ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon.
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