Oatmeal Nutrition Facts
Oatmeal nutrition facts can be found on the box or package of any oatmeal you buy in the store. But there is more to the health benefits of oatmeal than a list of numbers on the side of a box. Oatmeal nutrition facts go way beyond grams and ounces. Eating oatmeal can make your heart healthier and lower that dreaded bad cholesterol. And those are just the two biggies.
Oatmeal can also help you lose weight, boost the function of your digestive system and help kids grow into healthy adults. Once you consider all of the oatmeal nutrition facts, you will discover that oatmeal is practically a miracle food.
Why Eat Oatmeal for Breakfast?
Eating oatmeal is a great way to start the day, and not just because it tastes delicious. Oatmeal is one of those foods that really sticks to your ribs and makes you feel full for a good long time. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it seems wise to eat a hardy food for this important meal. Oatmeal fills you up right from the get-go, and it tides you over for the next few hours with no hunger pains sneaking up on you.
Oatmeal is also high in fiber, so it gets those digestive wheels turning right from the start of your day. This tasty treat also gives a lift to your energy levels, which most people can definitely use first thing in the morning.
Oatmeal is Good for the Heart
Oatmeal is a strong weapon in the battle against a number of different heart problems including heart disease. Recent studies have shown that women are at more risk for heart disease then previously thought, so oatmeal would be a smart dietary choice for any ladies who are trying to cut down that risk. The men get the same benefits, so they should hop on the oatmeal bandwagon too.
Besides all of that wonderful fiber, oatmeal is chock full of B vitamins, calcium, iron and vitamin A. All vital nutrients that support a healthy heart. And oatmeal has taste on its side, because it has a very nice flavor – which can be enhanced with fresh fruit or a dash of brown sugar – for something that is so good for you. Usually the healthy foods taste like cardboard.
Go Ahead, Lower That Cholesterol
In addition to an abundance of heart-healthy vitamins and nutrients, oatmeal has been proven to lower bad cholesterol. We have heard about how dangerous high cholesterol can be, so it is great to know that there is a food out there that actually attacks that bad cholesterol and escorts it right out of the system. Amazingly, oatmeal can do just that, all while leaving the good cholesterol intact.
There are a number of reasons for high cholesterol, and some people even produce too much right in their own bodies. Eating a lot of fatty foods and a diet high in animal and dairy products can also lead to high cholesterol levels. When we eat oatmeal, it attaches to the bad cholesterol as it is digested and flushes it out of our body. More evidence that oatmeal is a true miracle food.
Oatmeal is also a great, healthy meal for kids that will help them as they grow. The vitamins and nutrients contained in oatmeal are vital for bone growth, help with muscle development and even make teeth healthier. All of these benefits can be had easily, with regular servings of oatmeal either for breakfast or as a healthful snack.