Oatmeal has been introduced into our daily diet and how a great ally in breakfasts. It is a cereal that contains great nutritional values and has a high intake of carbohydrates. That is why it leads to its great controversy, Does oatmeal make you fat or help you lose weight? Since within its benefits it covers these terms that must be examined.
This cereal contains a component that can make you fat due to excessive consumption, or even depending on the time it is eaten. We cover all the aspects that derive us in which situations oats make you fat or can help you lose weight.
Can oatmeal make you fat?
Without a doubt, oats are fattening as long as it depends on the way it is taken, of the amount or at the time of day in which it is consumed. Everything will depend on the following aspects and how to avoid them so that it helps not to gain weight.
Overnight oats can make you fat
And it really is a “can”, although all the odds are that it does. being a food rich in complex carbohydrates, It will give us a lot of energy and it will be metabolized slowly during the following hours. If this energy is not spent, the body will use these carbohydrates to turn them into fat. On the other hand, there are studies that support that taking oats at night does not make you fat. People who ate low-carb breakfasts and high-carb dinners were shown to train their bodies to respond by burning off that heavy load at night. Therefore, they did not gain a single gram.
The intake of processed oats
This type of oatmeal is very common when it is sold for breakfast. Its composition is made with oats, refined flours, dyes, preservatives and sweeteners. All these components actually disguise the natural properties of this cereal, which will cause it to lose its slimming properties.
Consume oatmeal on an empty stomach for hours
The logic of this data lies in the response made by the metabolic system. Generally, oatmeal provides energy, reduces appetite and is even beneficial for good digestion. However, when the stomach has been empty for hours, this cereal may do the reverse process, in this case it will cause abdominal pain, cause gas and accumulate energy in the form of fat.
When is oatmeal beneficial for weight loss?
Oatmeal is very beneficial when eaten for breakfast. Remember that if taken first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach, it can create the opposite effect of losing weight. For this, you can try have a small food or drink beforehand and only a few minutes before. It is important to drink a large glass of water so that you do not feel sick.
For athletes it is a food of interest. It has been shown that cortisol increases after exercise. Reaching a high level, the liver breaks down muscle proteins into glucose for energy. Eating oatmeal helps inhibit cortisol production and replenishes glucose and glycogen stores. Also, helps stimulate the recovery of muscle mass. It can be recommended to take it half an hour before exercising or take a little at night.
To be able to take it every day and by recommendation it must be consumed until 3 tablespoons per day. It can be accompanied with yogurt, chopped fruits, with juices or even smoothies. The best oatmeal is the one that is bought in the form of flakes or whole grain oats, since it contains much more fiber and helps to increase the feeling of satiety.
Why is oatmeal included in our diet?
Oatmeal is a cereal that provides numerous nutrients and as a fact it should be noted that it is not a carbohydrate that contains some calories. Contains 380 calories per 100 g, so we can represent 100 g of oatmeal with a total of 114 calories. Actually, it is not a great caloric intake if we think we have the whole day to spend it.
- If we have to talk about their carbohydrates, they have a positive fact. They come from fibers and not from sugars, with complex carbohydrates so they reduce appetite, they will be metabolized in the body more slowly.
- It is a food rich in fiber, so it helps regulate intestinal transit and prevents constipation.
- It is rich in multiple vitamins. Contains that of group B (B1, B2, B3) necessary for metabolism. Contains vitamin A and E that improve the appearance of the skin and vitamin D, essential for bones.
- It also has a high content of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium and zinc.
- It is rich in beta glucoans They absorb bile acids in the intestine and lower cholesterol.
- contains some essential amino acids: isoleusine, leusine, threonine and methionine.
In conclusion, it should be noted that oatmeal is a food rich in carbohydrates and a large consumption could make you fat. The ideal is to take it for breakfast as oat bran and mixed with water, milk, yogurt and fruit.