It’s a thick hot gooey liquid that is created by boiling oats in milk.
Yes, it sure doesn’t sound appetizing, but it’s come quite a way from being known as prison food in the seventies and eighties to now being flagged as one of the healthiest breakfast foods.
Cafes around London and almost any city now serve oatmeal porridge in takeaway boxes in the mornings.
Oats, a Kid Friendly Breakfast
Children have started eating this rich and healthy breakfast before school. More and more people are starting to develop their oaty taste buds just so they can have a high source of fiber and energy in the mornings.
It naturally helps that oats are so low in calories and a bowl of porridge, therefore, made in water or indeed in skimmed milk, can help while dieting.
Depending on your taste buds and diet requirements you can make oatmeal porridge with water or milk.
Oatmeal Beta-Glucan and Fiber Benefits
Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain beta-glucan, a specific fiber which is proven to have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels.
Studies have shown that beta-glucan can further benefit diabetes patients.
There is also enough soluble fiber in oats to reduce the risk of heart disease as long as it is a part of a low-fat diet. Of course, being high in fiber and in complex carbohydrates, a bowl of oatmeal is also great for the digestive tract, especially in the morning since it releases energy very slowly.
Additional Benefits of Eating Porridge
Porridge, however, also has other great qualities.
It’s a good source of manganese, essential in allowing the body to produce energy as well as helping to build bones and connective tissue.
Oats contain zinc, which is needed for normal growth, reproduction and a healthy immune system.
A daily serving of oats can also improve blood pressure control and the balance of essential fatty acids they contain are linked to longevity and general good health.
Despite all the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast of porridge, what might stop us from having it every morning?
The mistake a person can make is to think of porridge as a bland boring gruel with a dash of honey or sugar. There are so many ways to make it more interesting.
Add to Your Oatmeal Porridge Recipe
The first porridge ingredient is a mixture of nuts (walnuts are my personal favorite).
The second is a type of fruit, such as organic black raisins or to aid digestion a few whole or chopped prunes. You can also add dates, apricots or figs, all of which are very high in fiber, if you like these.
Additionally you can add or substitute a spoonful of pumpkin, sunflower and/or sesame seeds.
