Is instant oatmeal good for weight loss

It's a good thing medical experts recommend oatmeal as a healthy breakfast—there's so much you can do with a container of oats. You can enjoy them warm, soak them overnight, bake them into bars or muffins, or even blend them into a waffle batter. Yet besides such delicious versatility, why exactly do health experts recommend oatmeal as a go-to morning meal? How does a simple bowl of oats affect your long-term health? Here's what the science says about consuming oatmeal on a regular basis.

Table of Contents Show

You May Feel Fuller for Longer
You'll Have an Easier Time in the Bathroom
Your Risk of Heart Disease Will Decrease
Your Gut Bacteria Will Thrive
You'll Manage Your Weight Easier
The Bottom Line
Oatmeal nutrition information
Is oatmeal good for weight loss?
What are the benefits of eating oatmeal?
Are there any drawbacks to eating oatmeal regularly?
Is Quaker Original instant oatmeal good for weight loss?
How can I lose weight with instant oats?
Which oatmeal is better for weight loss?

Related: Our 15+ Easiest Oatmeal Recipes for a Healthy Breakfast

You May Feel Fuller for Longer

Oats are a great source of fiber, a carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. Because fiber slows down digestion, you won't feel as hungry for a longer period, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eating fiber-rich foods helps avoid spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels while reducing feelings of hunger. "Having oats for breakfast or incorporated into different foods as meals and snacks is a great way to give the meal more staying power and help you feel fuller for longer," says Maggie Michalczyk, RDN. According to the USDA's FoodData Central, 1 cup of cooked oatmeal contains 4 grams of fiber, which is 16% of the recommended daily value.

You'll Have an Easier Time in the Bathroom

"Oats contain a special type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan," says Michalczyk. "Beta-glucan forms a gel-like consistency in the gut and helps to keep things moving in your digestive tract and keep you regular." This helps with bulking up your stool, making it easier for your bowel movement later. Plus, pairing your oatmeal with sources of insoluble fiber—like unpeeled sliced apples, nuts or blackberries—can also help keep things moving in your digestive tract and make things easier in the bathroom later.

Related: Steel-Cut, Rolled or Instant Oats: Which Is the Healthiest?

Your Risk of Heart Disease Will Decrease

Starting your morning with a bowl of oats can benefit your heart health in more ways than one. Because of the fiber content, oatmeal can help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar levels and even lower high blood pressure—all of which play a significant role in minimizing risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Banana Oatmeal

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

Is Quaker Original instant oatmeal good for weight loss?

One of the healthiest instant oatmeals out there with no added sugars, colors, or artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. At only 100 calories and loaded with heart healthy whole oats and fiber, it's great to eat a few times a week to make weight loss goals.

How can I lose weight with instant oats?

You should eat oats for not less than one or two meals a day with low-fat healthy toppings if weight loss is your goal. You can also add more fruits and veggies to make it a wholesome meal. Mix half a cup of regular unprocessed oats with 1 cup of skimmed milk. Have this for breakfast 3-4 times a week for best results.

Which oatmeal is better for weight loss?

The minimally processed steel-cut oats have a lower glycemic response (meaning they take longer to digest), which is better for your blood sugar levels and overall energy, according to an October 2015 study in the British Journal of Nutrition. This makes them the best oatmeal to lose weight.