I just tried these for the first time this morning. I heard on an Oprah show where she had Dr. Oz on that he suggested this as a fabulous way to start your day. What is steel cut oats? It is unrefined oats that are cut with steel into these tiny little nuggets. It’s different from regular rolled oats, because the cooking time is longer (1/2 hour) so you kind of either have to get up early, or make some the night before. I actually cooked them this morning while I was getting ready for work, so it turned out great for me. The only thing is to come back to the stove and stir occasionally. This is how I prepared them this morning. According to the package 1/4 cup uncooked oats is 150 calories, 2.5 fat and 4 fiber. I used 1/2 cup steel cut oats and added 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes or until desired consistency. I also added 1 tablespoon of flax seed, 1/2 a banana and a handful of dried cranberries. I decided to eat the whole thing (which is two servings) because I was going to see if it would keep my full until lunch. A breakfast for 350 calories is still great and eating something healthy like that is only going to help me in the long run. This is what Dr. Oz who frequents the Oprah show had to say about steel cut oats: “Steel cut oatmeal doesn’t have a lot of calories, and it drags the food (you eat) along so it can’t become like putty – until it gets to the very end. Whole grains are an insoluble fiber, so it pulls water with it and it binds to all the other stuff you’re eating that may not be so good for you.”
So, that sounds like a good reason to me! It also can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure (which are high for me), so I may just make this my morning breakfast of choice.
The best part is you can make it different every day. You can add walnuts, honey, milk, flax seed, peaches, blueberries, slivered almonds, peanut butter, almond butter, raisins, strawberries, banana, vanilla soy milk, 1 packet sugar free hot cocoa (like Swiss miss) sprinkle with granola, or grape-nuts, or kashi go lean cereal, apples. Just keep track of the calories so you don’t go too overboard. But when you are adding healthy ingredients, its only going to be good for you!
So, if you haven’t tried these yet, I say its definitely worth it. It has a great consistency, its nutty and a little chewy and creamy, and it may become your favorite breakfast too.
*quick update:
I ate the oatmeal for breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and went to lunch at 12:30 and I was not hungry at all. So, I had no morning snack. 🙂
We’ve been eating steel cut oats for about 4 years (also from Dr. Oz.)
Our recipe is a bit different – we cook the walnut pieces in the porridge. The cooked porridge is poured over about 1/2 cup of blueberries. Then you ladle on top about 3 tblspns of unsweetened applesauce – then sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon – then sprinkle a heaping teaspoon of ground flax – finally sprinkle raw almond slices on top and eat – NO MILK or SUGAR . Fibre and antioxidents galore.
Thanks.