A breakdown of different types of oats, take a look:
As we all know that we should be eating more whole grains as they are an integral part of a healthy diet. If you consider whole grains, oats are quite beneficial as they not only deliver serious nutrition but also have powerful cholesterol-lowering benefits.
However, some are confused among the different types of oats that are available in the market and their benefits in terms of providing nutrition. So here’s a look at their different types and how to use them for eating:
Rolled Oats vs Steel-Cut Oats
Rolled oats and steel-cut oats have one main difference and that is how they're manufactured. Both of them begin with whole oats (groats) and then their outer layer (the hull) is stripped. It leaves with the fiber-rich bran, the endosperm, and the germ. It is high in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and healthy oils. It is from this stage that oats are either rolled or steel-cut.
What Are Rolled Oats?
In order to make rolled oats, whole grains are steamed and pressed flat with the use of steel rollers. The process, in turn, shortens the time when you cook them. You'll find three kinds of rolled oats at your local market:
Old-Fashioned Oats: To make these, the whole grains are steamed, flattened by the roller, and then eventually flaked.
Quick-Cooking Oats: These types of oats are already cooked, dried, and cut. Finally, they are rolled thin (thinner than old-fashioned oats) in order to cook them faster.
Instant Oats: As the name suggests, these are cooked and dried before being cut and rolled thin. They are the fastest oats of all, although they are not the healthiest.
What Are Steel-Cut Oats?
Often termed as Irish oats or Scottish oats, steel-cut oats aren't rolled but are sliced with steel blades into coarse nubs. They look like cut-up grains of rice but are certainly less processed than rolled oats. Hence, they contain slightly more nutrients than rolled oats.
Which type is healthier?
As steel-cut oats are less processed, they are healthier. They contain soluble fiber, which is often associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and it also aids in lowering of blood cholesterol.
Oats also keep you feeling full longer and they are high sources of iron, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, and selenium as they are naturally gluten free.
