Want to start your day with an excellent, fortifying breakfast? Consider having traditional rolled oats or instant oatmeals in various flavors. Oatmeal is nutritious, and the blueberry oatmeal with toppings is particularly delicious.

Oatmeal Nutrition

Oatmeal is a traditional breakfast that comprises rolled oats or steel-cut oats that you can soak overnight in water, milk, or yogurt. The soaking softens the oats and makes them easier to eat and digest. You can add many wholesome ingredients as toppings to the oats for a healthier meal.

If you have a busy schedule and do not have time to prepare breakfast, you can buy ready-made oatmeals. They are available in blueberry oatmeal and many other delicious flavors. With these instant oatmeals, it is only necessary to add hot water or hot milk to the mix. You can then stir it, let it soak for a few minutes, and eat it. You can also add water or milk and microwave for about a minute before eating it.

While instant oatmeal can be as nutritious as regular oatmeal, it is essential to check the label and read the ingredient list before you make your purchase. You want non-GMO and locally or mindfully sourced oatmeal with whole grains, and you want to make sure that it does not contain high levels of sugar and sodium as these are not good for your long-term health. Look for blueberry oatmeal with organic maple or coconut sugar. You can also get gluten-free and vegan oatmeal.

Oatmeal Benefits

The health benefits of oatmeal come from its ability to provide antioxidants and promote the activity of healthy gut bacteria. Oatmeal is high in carbohydrates and contains soluble beta glucal fiber that can lower bad cholesterol. It is also known to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can reduce constipation and provide relief for skin ailments. There are claims that it can reduce the risk of colon cancer. People who have weight issues may benefit from eating a moderate amount of oatmeal for breakfast.

Types of Oatmeal

The great thing about oatmeal is that they are available in many varieties and flavors. You only need to ensure that the ones you buy are whole oat kernels. The packaging may list them as oat groats. Here are some types of oatmeal:

Instant oats: You can buy blueberry oatmeal and various other flavors in the instant type of oatmeal. These oat groats are pre-steamed flakes and are ready to eat after adding hot water or hot milk into the container. They are a great choice when you are in a rush.

Rolled oats: These are traditionally steamed and rolled whole oat groats. The rolled flakes are thicker than what you get with instant oats, so you will need to soak these overnight to soften them and cook them before you eat them.

Irish oats: These are also known as steel-cut oats and comprise a cut-up whole oat kernel. The steel-cut oats can take a while to cook. If you mean to have these for breakfast, start preparing them at least 30 minutes before you have your breakfast.

Scottish oats: The Scottish oats undergo grinding, and they are easier to cook and eat.

Oat groats: This type of oatmeal is the traditional type where you get the whole oat kernel in its original form. You will need to soak it overnight in water, milk, or yogurt and it may still take over an hour to cook. You will need to add it to boiling water and let it cook until it is soft enough to eat.

Toppings for Oatmeal

An oatmeal breakfast would not be complete without some delicious toppings to improve its flavor. If you buy instant oatmeal such as blueberry oatmeal, it will come with freeze-dried fruit, raw seeds, almonds, organic flavors, organic sugar, and organic salt.

You can choose your toppings as per your preferences if you are cooking your oatmeal. You can add regular milk, soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or yogurt. You can add fresh or frozen berries, dried fruit, fresh fruit, apple sauce, maple syrup, and walnuts. Improve the taste with cinnamon and ginger. You can also mix in butter, cream, and egg yolk.