You might have heard someone talking about eating oats for weight loss. Oats are considered a healthy option by most people, and they really are! There are many foods that are often categorized as weight loss foods. Oats is also one of them. Do you know about the role of oats in weight loss? Do you know about the various advantages of eating oats?
Oats are enriched with fibre, low in calories, keep you full, and check almost all boxes for helping you lose weight. Let’s discuss in detail how helpful oats are for weight loss.
Table of Contents
What are oats?
Oats are a type of cereal grain. Oats can also be found in some products, such as cookies, flour, bread, etc. Oats are also used to prepare oatmeal, which is generally porridge made with oats.
Nowadays, oats are also available on the market with added flavour options. This makes oats a go-to healthy meal option with good flavours that many people enjoy eating.
Is Oats Good for Weight Loss
Oats are one of the good ingredients to include in a weight-loss diet. It has a high fibre content, which will keep you fuller longer, reducing hunger, and snacking between meals makes it easier to regulate calories. Oats are rich in slow-releasing energy to prevent blood sugar spikes from occurring and thus prevent gaining pounds.
Key Benefits
- Rich in fibre, induces fullness, and helps curb overeating.
- Low in calories, yet rich in nutrients.
- Controls blood sugar levels to avoid energy crashes.
- It helps in digestion and regular bowel movements.
- It provides slow-releasing energy for sustained activity.
We should eat oats for weight loss, but why?
Oats check most of the boxes to be helpful in losing weight. Some of the factors that make it effective to eat oats for weight loss are:
High in Fibre: Oats are rich in soluble fibre, meaning the fibre is soluble in water. Soluble fibre makes digestion slow and helps you feel fuller for a longer time. This helps satisfy your hunger with less eating.
Low Calorie Content: Oats are low in calories and high in good content such as fibre, nutrients, etc. Due to this, you can complete your meal and feel full even by eating low-calorie foods.
Nutrient Rich: Oats have plenty of nutrients, such as vitamins B, iron, and magnesium, which fulfil your nutritional needs with a low-calorie content.
Better breakfast alternative: Oats can be a better alternative to those sugar-based cereals eaten for breakfast. Oats are a better energy-giving meal to kickstart your day.
Oats are considered a healthy option to eat for weight loss, but this is not applicable to everyone. Effectiveness in losing weight depends on various factors, such as diet, lifestyle, and the health condition of the individual. These factors may vary from person to person.
Is masala oats good for weight loss?
Oats are often bland and do not have a taste of their own. It has been observed that people did not tend to develop a taste for oats, especially in countries like India where people love hot and spicy foods. Companies found a solution to this problem and made masala oats.
Masala oats suit the already-developed tastes of many people. This makes people like masala oats, and they often resort to masala oats instead of other unhealthy snacks. But the question arises: Are masala oats as helpful for weight loss as normal oats?
Masala oats may also be an effective option for weight loss. Adding vegetables further increases the fibre content of oats, making it an excellent choice for those looking to lose weight. It is also an excellent option for diabetics due to the low glycemic index.
The thing to be noticed is that masala oats should have a limited quantity of oils and spices. Overpowering oats with oils and spices may make the masala oats unhealthy. Eating in moderation is also necessary to lose weight.
How to Eat Oats for Weight Loss
To make the most of oats for weight loss, try to include them in your breakfast or snacks. For more fibre and nutrients, choose whole oats, such as rolled or steel-cut oats. Avoid adding too much sugar or creamy toppings. Instead, top your oats with fresh fruits, nuts, or seeds for added flavour and nutrients. You can also make savoury oatmeal with vegetables or use them in smoothies. If you’re in a hurry, overnight oats are a great option—just mix oats with your choice of milk or yoghurt and let it sit in the fridge overnight. This way, you’ll have a nutritious and filling meal ready to go.
Oats for Weight Gain
Oats are a pretty useful food that may cause weight gain, in particular for increasing calorie consumption. Add healthy fats from nuts and seeds or even nut butter to make oats more calorie-dense. Full-fat milk, or yogurt, can also do this easily. You may want some honey, maple syrup, and dried fruits to sweeten up and provide energy with it as well. Adding some eggs or protein powder will make it a more balanced meal, and this way, you can gain weight in a healthy and nutritious manner.
How to Prepare Oats for Weight Gain
Add calorie-rich ingredients that enhance the overall calorie content in preparation for oats for weight gain. Start with whole oats and cook them in full-fat milk to add calories. Add nuts, seeds, or peanut butter to increase healthy fats. Add honey or dried fruits to sweeten and provide energy. Mix in yoghurt or a scoop of protein powder to add more protein. That makes it more filling and nutritious, helping you healthily gain weight.
Important Tips:
- Use full-fat milk or yoghurt.
- Add healthy fats like nuts or peanut butter.
- Add honey or dried fruit for sweetness.
- Add protein powder or eggs for higher protein.
Conclusion
Oats are a healthy option for people who want to lose weight. Oats are enriched with fibre and low in calories. We should eat oats for weight loss because they are high in fibre, low in calories, rich in nutrients, and a better breakfast option. Oats are low in calories, which helps maintain a calorie deficit. That’s why it is beneficial to eat oats for weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eating oats good for weight loss?
Oats are enriched with fibre, low in calories, keep you full, and are also rich in nutrients. Oats also help an individual maintain a calorie deficit. All of this contributes to the journey of weight loss.
Can I eat oats to burn belly fat?
Yes, oats are a healthy option to consider for losing belly fat. All thanks to the nutritional content and benefits of eating oats, making it a good choice for losing weight. Oats also help in maintaining a calorie deficit, which also assists in reducing belly fat.
Are packaged oats healthy?
Packaged oats are generally made using preservatives. Preservatives are not healthy and can have long-term effects. Anyone should always look for natural, organic, and preservative-free options, if available.
If no option other than packaged oats is available, one should always look at the label of the product. This may help in choosing a preservative-free option.
Are packaged masala oats healthy?
Packaged masala oats can be a healthy option if they are preservative-free. Reading the label of the product may help in identifying a better option.