Ogling Oats
Written by Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD // January 22, 2010 // Health, Nutrition // 23 Comments
Just as any other health blogger out there—I love me some oats! BIG TIME! They rank high—perhaps number one—in my breakfast staples.
Out of the many varieties to choose from—instant, rolled, Old Fashioned, and steel cut—my go-to oat variety is Old Fashioned. Not only do these oats match my personality—as some might say 
–but, they work well with my morning schedule (only 3 minutes to heat up in the microwave … thanks to the wonders above and Mother Nature for a quick, natural, healthy, and cheap breakfast!). Plus, I dig their texture. Old Fashioned oats are hearty and semi-chewy. They’re more “gooey” than steel cut oats, but they’re not as “mushy” or “gummy” as “quick” rolled oats or instant oats. Remember—this is only my personal preference.
If you’re wondering what the differences amongst these oats are, well—not too much. All oats are whole grains. The difference amongst them mostly boils down to texture, which depends on how much each oat was rolled or broken down before hitting the shelves. As you progress from steel cut oats—where the hulled oat kernel (aka oat groat) has only been cut into two or three pieces—to instant oats—the oat becomes broken down into more pieces from the rolling process. Here, the oat groat is steamed, rolled, and re-steamed until it reaches its final thickness/size—and, finally … it’s toasted!!! This process breaks down the oat groat’s (I love saying “oat groat” !!!) structured cell wall (cellulose aka the love of my life–fiber). Hence, the rolling or breaking down of the oat makes them softer, gummier, and quicker to cook.
In order of chewiest, nuttiest, heartiest oat to smooshiest, gummiest, stickiest oat is:
- Steel Cut
- Old Fashioned
- “Quick” Rolled Oats
- Instant Oatmeal
Nutritionally speaking, all oats are good for ya! They’re all whole grains! As long as you’re not loading your shopping cart with the instant, sugar-filled varieties, you’re good as groats And, helping keep your heart healthy, weight stable, and stomach full until lunch time—who doesn’t want that?!? In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than eating breakfast and a couple hours later being S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G!!! Oats will keep ya satisfied and satiated!
Currently, my fav way to eat my oats is by cookin’ up 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Oats and mixing it with Kashi’s Vive cereal—delish, high in fiber, and something to keep me lookin’ forward to the AM and powering on til the PM of 12 noon!
I know YOU all love your groats too! SO—drop a comment and share your FAVORITE oatmeal delish dish! There’s nothing more exciting than finding new creative ways to eat your oats!!!!
What’s your favorite way to eat your oats??
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus "fat-burning" pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality "me time" with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by!
23 Comments on " Ogling Oats "
I JUST made myself a huge bowl of Irish Oatmeal (i.e., steel cut oats) for breakfast this morning! I am sooooooo excited to dig in to this fiber delish dish!!
YAY! Ya know that’s how I do it–a big ol’ bowl of oats!!!! LOVE it!!!
I love rolled oats with pumpkin, apple, raisins, and pumpkin pie spice. Yum!
I’ve had a love affair with oats for two years and then last week–after eating them for breakfast five days a week–I decided I was sick of them. I’m sure we’ll get back together (they’re the most convenient and versatile breakfast) but right now I’m experimenting with other foods I can eat at my desk. I girl needs a little variety, right?!
By the way, is Irish oatmeal different? Or where does it fall into that list? What makes it different from steel cut or old fashioned? Or is it just a different name?
Good for you! It’s so important NOT to get bored
I saw on your blog the need for new breakfast ideas … so I knew this was coming 
Ha-ha! But, I’m sure you will get back together:)
Irish oats are the same as steel cut oats. They’re also sometimes referred to as Scottish oats. I love to make these oats when I have more time in the morning! Good stuff!
Just finished a huge bowl of old fashioned oats with added flax and salt. Yum. Unlike a lot of bloggers, I actually like to keep my oats pretty simple. Occasionally I’ll throw in some fruit and maple syrup, but often I can be content with just salt and pepper (my roommates all think this is quite odd). I’ve heard that steel cut oats are actually slightly more nutritious because they go through less processing. Do you know anything about this? I love steel cut oats, but for times sake, I often stick to old fashioned, which are just as delish!
Aw—this is a big “to do” in the world of nutrition bloggers! Steel cut V Old Fashioned oats, but in all honesty, nutritionally they’re the same. Steel cut oats MAY be only SLIGHTLY higher in micronutrients. Really, it just comes down to how much they were cut or rolled, which changes their texture and cooking time. Happy Friday
I mix 1/2 cup of oats with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, cinnamon, and honey. Delish and keeps you full for hours
My favorite way to eat oats is in muffins! I just made some banana oatmeal spice muffins that are so delicious. But I also love a bowl of old-fashioned or steel cut oatmeal drizzled with pure maple syrup.
I’ve never seen that variety of Kashi before but it looks really good!
I’ve been eating Steel Cut oats this week and adding some quinoa to my bowl for some extra protein!
I love oatmeal in general – I’ve even got my husband into liking it!
ooo love me some oats!!
What a fun post! I love oats and in the winter it’s my go to bfast. I can’t pick a fave..but I do love it oats drizzled w/ a little almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, agave and then a dried fruit of the day. Trader Joe’s Berry mix is a good one!
I also love oats topped with walnuts, cinnamon, cranberries and sliced banana…YUM!
i’m down for pretty much any kind of oats but lately i’ve been having “apple pie” oats (bake a chopped apple in teh microwave for 3 mins, then add the oats and water and cook again until the oats are done) or cocoa oats, with 1 tbsp cocoa powder and a packet of stevia!
Hey girlie! I’m an old-fashioned girl, too
I like my oats with skim milk, pumpkin butter, pecans, and a teaspoon of brown sugar! MMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!
gosh i love oats! especially in the winter!! i have way to many favorites, but pumpkin, or amazing grass or nut butter always win.
I just love oatmeal! Great post! I’m a plain jane with the oatmeal…give me some nuts and fruit on top and I am good to go!
I just did a post on whole grains! haha Ironic.
I LOVE oats. I used to not be a big fan, but when I entered the blog world things changed. Now I eat steel cut oats, or oat bran every morning. I think it also has to do with my wheat intolerance, which makes oats the perfect food for me. I love them with pumpkin, Truvia, and a scoop of peanut butter!
I love your creativity in mixing your oats with cereal, very clever. I like that Kashi cereal, I used to eat it all the time.
I like oats but whenever I eat them I always miss my cold cereal! Maybe if it were colder in New Orleans I would start craving oats more often?!
I think I should write an ode to oats. I love them and wonder how many oats I’ve consumed in a my lifetime.
I personally LOVE steal cut oats. I think they are 100% worth the effort.
However, going to boarding school, I don’t have access to the equipment needed for my oat-lovers so I make instant in the mornings. :/
But what is this? I hear old-fashioned is healthier than instant and still microwaveable? Can you recommend any brands?
Thanks for the comment! Ya know, as long as the instant oats aren’t covered in sugars and other junk, they’re good for you too
I just like the texture of Old Fashioned much better. As far as brands go, I love Quaker and Organic Country Choice oats!
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