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Instant porridge. How are instant cereals made? Instant porridges - advantages

"Oatmeal, sir!" In England, oats are one of the most popular ingredients for many dishes. Judging by the latest research, many people in our country also share the love of British people for oatmeal and consider it the best option for breakfast. Its benefits and harms have been proven by medical research. What are the consequences of frequent use of porridge?

Benefits of oatmeal

Nutritionists have long identified the beneficial properties of oatmeal:

  1. low glycemic index. Therefore, doctors advise oatmeal for diabetes, as it maintains blood sugar levels;
  2. calcium content, many children do not like to eat oatmeal in the morning, although it helps to strengthen teeth and hair;
  3. a decoction of water flakes and honey prevents heart disease;
  4. inositol contained in oatmeal or flour normalizes cholesterol levels, this does not allow cholesterol plaques to form;
  5. the benefits of oatmeal are visible under stress, a healthy breakfast improves overall well-being;
  6. saturation of the body with fiber, which prevents the occurrence of gastritis and ulcers. In case of poisoning, you can make a decoction in water from oatmeal, then drink it in small sips;
  7. oatmeal to heal, it used to be believed that the preparation of a decoction of oatmeal treats stomach cancer;
  8. cereal contains antioxidants that increase immunity;
  9. the body quickly absorbs oatmeal. This means that the benefits of oatmeal lies in its diet.

Useful properties of oatmeal used in medicine

Slimming. Although oatmeal is high in calories, it controls the absorption of fats in the body. There are many weight loss diets based on oatmeal or oat milk. The benefits and harms in this case are not fully understood, since this is considered forced weight loss. The most common way to lose weight is 2 unloading (oatmeal) days a week. All day you can eat porridge and drink plenty of fluids. Decoctions of cereals also help, they can be consumed on an empty stomach every morning.

Treatment of hypertension. You can prevent an increase in pressure with the help of oatmeal broth. Pour a glass of oatmeal grains into a plate, pour 1 liter of unboiled, but purified water, then boil over a fire until half of the water has evaporated. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach half a glass of decoction.

Edema treatment. An instant decoction of cereals or oatmeal will help with this. A glass of cereal or cereal is poured with 5 glasses of cool water and put on fire for 15 minutes. After that, a spoonful of flour and honey is added and boiled for another 5-7 minutes. It is filtered, drink such a decoction in small portions throughout the day.

Harm of oatmeal

  1. It is impossible to consume porridge in large quantities daily. Phytic acid, which is contained in cereals, does not completely absorb calcium in the body, washing out part of it from the bone tissue. High levels of phytic acid are dangerous for humans.
  2. The bagged oats that are popular today do not contain essential vitamins and nutrients. It contains starch, entering the body, it breaks down into sugar, which raises the level of glucose in the blood, the pancreas cannot withstand such loads, after which an insulin reaction occurs.
  3. There is a group of people who are contraindicated in the use of cereal cereals. This is due to exposure to gluten, which is found only in cereals: oats and oatmeal. Doctors gave the name to this disease - celiac disease, the symptoms are not immediately visible, at first they are mild, but already at a deep stage they make themselves felt, intestinal absorption at that time is finally destroyed and stops its activity, children are especially susceptible to this disease.

Today on the shelves of stores is the most diverse oatmeal. The benefits and harms of this product depend on the quality. When choosing cereals or cereals, you should pay attention to the name.

Oat flakes "Extra" are often divided into several varieties. One variety contains a thin oatmeal for quick preparation, so they cannot be kept in boiling water for more than 10 minutes. There are varieties with a high content of carbohydrates, the benefits of oatmeal are lost.

Hercules is separated from other varieties of instant oatmeal. The flakes are quite dense, so it will take more time to cook.

Important! When choosing instant porridge, make sure that the oatmeal or oatmeal is in an airtight container, as the product absorbs moisture. Watch the expiration dates, as they start from the moment of development, not packaging. Do not be too lazy (if the packaging is transparent) to examine the contents in the light. High quality flakes are white or cream. Already at home, smell the product, there should be no third-party odors.

What is the benefit of oatmeal for breakfast?

In the mornings, I don’t really want to eat, because the body has not fully woken up. But you still need a sufficient supply of energy before lunch, light porridge is perfect for this. At the same time, the abundance of proteins contained in cereals favorably emphasize the beneficial properties of oatmeal compared to sandwiches. If you eat denser and heavier food with oatmeal, the same fried eggs, then cereals contribute to rapid absorption.

The benefits of oatmeal are observed in diets, when the metabolism in the body is organized. Gastroenterologists have found out how useful oatmeal is: the presence of vitamins K and B improves blood clotting, normalizes kidney function. The body is strengthened, which is a guarantee of good health for the whole day.

Instant oatmeal is never boring. It can be cooked in water or milk, combined with fruits and honey, and the cereal itself is inexpensive. Children will love this breakfast for its originality and taste.

Are instant oatmeal harmful?

Due to the lack of time, people prefer instant porridge. Few people know that the benefits and harms of oatmeal in bags are different from the properties of a natural product. Porridges in bags have a low level of regulation in the body of metabolism, and you can forget about energy and good mood. Such porridge is quite convenient, one has only to pour the contents of the package into a plate and pour water, three minutes - the porridge is ready. For the mass production of this product, the grains are crushed and pre-steamed, which contributes to instant absorption by the body, of course, this is harmful. Sugar can be called the end product of the decay of such a “healthy breakfast”. High sugar levels make the pancreas work harder, which increases the risk of diabetes. Further, sugar turns into fat, and the benefits of oatmeal disappear.

If you are used to eating oatmeal in the morning, it is better to give preference to natural oatmeal. Cooking takes not so much time, but in the end you will get a high-quality, healthy and tasty product. With the right choice of cereals or oatmeal, as well as following the recommendations for preparing a hearty breakfast, you will have a good mood and a healthy body.

Some symptoms of the appearance:

  • increased sweating;
  • weakened immunity, frequent colds;
  • weakness, fatigue;
  • nervous state, depression;
  • headaches and migraines;
  • intermittent diarrhea and constipation;
  • want sweet and sour;
  • bad breath;
  • frequent feeling of hunger;
  • weight loss problems
  • loss of appetite;
  • night grinding of teeth, salivation;
  • pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
  • does not pass cough;
  • pimples on the skin.

If you have any of the symptoms or doubt the causes of ailments, you need to cleanse the body as soon as possible. How to do it read here.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

The best breakfast is oatmeal, everyone knows about it. And many follow the advice to eat a serving of porridge in the morning. But the lack of time makes some people buy porridge in bags, which takes just a couple of minutes to cook. Is instant oatmeal healthy?

How is instant oatmeal different from regular oatmeal?

We all know that oatmeal is a healthy food product, very useful. Therefore, many do not pay attention to the composition of oatmeal. But oatmeal, especially instant oatmeal, can contain ingredients that are not only healthy, but downright harmful.

If you pour oatmeal "quick porridge" on a plate, then with the naked eye you can see that it contains a lot of sugar– its white crystals are directly visible there. The use of such porridge leads to the fact that the level of glucose in your blood quickly jumps and then falls just as quickly. This affects the pancreas, and the body as a whole.

The abundance of sugar is the earlier aging of our vessels, organs and even skin.

Porridge manufacturers promise us a large number of useful fillers - berries and dried fruits. However, as a rule, they are negligible - after all, these products are quite expensive. But since there are not enough berries, then flavoring additives come to the aid of manufacturers, the benefits of which are doubtful.

In oatmeal with milk, not natural milk powder or cream is often added, but vegetable cream based on palm oil. I think you have heard about the dangers of palm oil.

Perhaps your breakfast, which you want to make healthy, should not be turned into a serving of food chemistry.

Read also: are instant cereals useful?

Does quick oatmeal help you lose weight?

Rather, oatmeal or other instant cereal will slow down weight loss.

This is because it has a lot of sugar in it. Firstly, this is an unreasonably high calorie content, moreover, due to fast carbohydrates, which it is desirable to limit when losing weight.

In addition, a large amount of sugars increases appetite and reduces the time until a new feeling of hunger appears. Even if you have eaten a hearty meal, after a meal rich in sugars, you will soon feel hungry again.

You can lose weight on cereals, but these should be ordinary cereals without added sugar.

How to replace "quick porridge"

Of course, instant cereals are convenient. However, just by pouring ordinary oatmeal with boiling water without any additives, you will also get ready-made oatmeal in 1-2 minutes.

  • If desired, its taste can be "decorated" with pieces of fruit, dried fruits, fresh or thawed berries.
  • Porridge with grated or whipped banana is very tasty. Oatmeal porridge with half a spoonful of cinnamon is unique.
  • Any nuts and even seeds will add sophistication to a healthy breakfast. Some can be chopped, others left whole.
  • An interesting taste is obtained from porridge mixed with lightly fried onions.

Options - just the sea! Among them, there is sure to be one that will satisfy your exacting taste 🙂

Is it worth it to spend extra money and buy instant porridge, and even with fillers, dyes and harmful milk substitutes, when you can buy regular oatmeal and get a really healthy and natural product for your breakfast?

We wish you health and longevity! If this post has been useful to you or you just liked it, share it or your impressions about it with your friends. We will be grateful to you, and friends will learn the whole truth about instant cereals and stop wasting money and spoiling their health.

Everyone knows that oatmeal is an extremely healthy product. Of course, oatmeal is best when cooked at home with fresh ingredients. But in the morning, there is often not enough time to prepare such a healthy breakfast, and therefore you will probably be interested to know how things are going with instant oatmeal. How is this porridge good for health and what harm does it do?

Oats themselves have many health benefits. It is a rich source of fiber - 100 g of cooked oatmeal contains about 5 g, making it good for digestion. Oats also contain more fat than other grains, but mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fats that are rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. When consumed regularly, "quick oatmeal" has a positive effect on high blood cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension, and also acts as a preventive measure. Due to the fact that oatmeal contains a lot of fiber, speeds up metabolism and saturates for a long time, it is useful for losing weight and preventing weight gain.

Useful material

  • Cellulose;
  • unsaturated fatty acids;
  • Vitamins B1, B6, E;
  • Iron;
  • Calcium.

Does instant oatmeal have the same health benefits? The main difference between traditional oatmeal and instant oats is the amount of processing. Instant oats are more processed to reduce cooking time. This does not have a significant effect on health benefits, so they are almost as healthy as regular cereal, but that is if we are not talking about the glycemic index.

Due to the active processing of grains, instant oatmeal has a higher glycemic index. This means that it holds the blood sugar level for a shorter time and creates a stronger and sharper rise in glucose levels. This means that some of the beneficial properties of oatmeal, such as a positive effect on glucose and a long-lasting feeling of satiety, are lost.

Harm of instant porridge

  • For those who are watching their weight;
  • with diabetes;
  • with chronic constipation.

How much to eat instant oatmeal

Do not get carried away with instant oatmeal. If you eat it every day, then the body may become deficient in a number of useful substances.

How to choose and cook instant oatmeal

When it comes to health, it's also important to choose oatmeal without added sugar or flavor because it adds extra calories, fat, and raises the glycemic index. For the healthiest oatmeal, buy whole grains and create your own taste with fruit, a little honey, or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

Healthy instant porridge recipe

If you're short on time and instant oatmeal is your only option, you can still lower the glycemic index of the dish. Add a low GI carbohydrate source, or a fat or protein source. Low-fat milk, yogurt, or nuts are ideal. This will slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and, consequently, the blood sugar level will be more stable.

An old and seemingly forgotten tradition - morning porridge - has returned with a new content. It has gone from normal to instant.

Want a simple tip for a great mood in the early morning? Do not forget to have breakfast, even better - have a delicious breakfast. According to the recommendations of nutritionists, the best choice is dishes from a variety of cereals. Cereals contain many vitamins (group B), fiber, iron, zinc, magnesium and other important trace elements. But each of the groups has special advantages.

Popular natural cereals: a solid benefit!

Oatmeal in the morning - a wonderful cure for atherosclerosis. It is high in fiber and lowers cholesterol. 200 ml of oatmeal in the early morning is an excellent prevention of gastritis and duodenal disease.

And here buckwheat nutritional winner. It contains many amino acids and B vitamins.

Rice groats occupies the first place in the diet of some peoples. Porridge from this cereal is very useful in the treatment of many diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and barley dishes.

Shall we make some porridge?

Cereals as a whole have played a truly significant role in the history of all mankind. And a special place in the diet of many peoples was occupied by porridge, which was one of the most ancient dishes.

Many consider porridge to be a traditional Russian dish. Indeed, cereals have always occupied a particularly important place in Russian cuisine. The centuries-old culture of cooking in our country is associated primarily with the peculiarities of our climate, as well as the whole way of life. Porridge was even prepared as a festive treat, and in the XII-XIV centuries it was synonymous with the word "feast".

The variety of Russian cereals reflects the variety of cereals growing in Russia. Several varieties of cereals were prepared from almost every cereal. For example, from barley - large barley, smaller - Dutch and the smallest barley, and from buckwheat - core, veligorka and Smolensk.

The usefulness of Russian cereals is not limited to the vital elements contained in cereals. The only dishes that can gently and evenly fill the stomach and envelop the walls, they serve as a natural prophylactic that protects these digestive organs from aggressive mechanical and chemical influences.

Russian cuisine included dozens of varieties of cereals, which are divided into three main groups:

  • thin,
  • viscous,
  • crumbly or steep cereals.

And although many of them have already been forgotten, some are still popular today. Among the most famous is Guryevskaya (porridge cooked from semolina with milk, nuts, jam and spices).

Back in the middle of the last century, the hostess spent four to five hours cooking porridge in the oven. Traditional cereal porridge on a modern stove can be cooked in 15-20 minutes.

Instant porridge: miracle or harm from a bag?

Many companies today produce cereals that greatly reduce the cooking time (for example, by steaming). For a long time now, cereals have become especially popular - the result of flattening whole grains. They are particularly easy and quick to boil. But the motto of today's life is "Faster, even faster" - and products appeared on the market that fully meet the requirements of a modern business person. Now cooking porridge for breakfast will take almost no time, you can boil cereal in three to five minutes, and “instant” porridge does not require cooking at all.

Cereals for such "fast" cereals must be pre-treated. These are hydrothermal methods (steaming or boiling) or processing with infrared rays. The resulting flakes easily absorb moisture. Usually they are cut into several parts, and their thickness does not exceed 0.5-1.5 millimeters.

As surveys in large cities showed, the main consumers of such products are young people under thirty and middle-aged women. In addition to being quick and useful, such cereals are also a great convenience: they are packaged in portioned bags, do not require absolutely anything to cook, they can be taken to work (cereals for business people in plastic cups), even children can cook them. By the way, children's porridges, which have long been familiar to Russians, were the prototype of such products. They were imported from European countries. Now Russian companies are worthy of competing with them.

Porridges are produced with the addition of small slices of a wide variety of fruits, which significantly improves not only the nutritional value, but also the taste.

With all the convenience and richness of tastes, do not forget that various chemicals are still added to such cereals: additives against caking and clumping, sweeteners, flavors. So, what kind of porridge is there, from a bag or made from natural cereals - it's up to you.

So what to eat?

Who does not remember how, as a child, he was persuaded to eat a spoonful of porridge for mom, dad, and so on? But our children and grandchildren are more fortunate. Today, if desired, they can have breakfast not only with the traditional semolina slurry or brewed oatmeal flakes. A variety of fruit and berry additives in modern cereals will satisfy the taste of even the most picky eater. The dry breakfast market that has long been formed in our country, in addition to quick cereals, also offers a variety of snacks - crispy cereals, pillows and sticks, as well as many types of muesli.

By the way, we highly recommend preparing dishes from bulgur cereals from natural cereals. If you still do not know what it is, then you can read about bulgur here. And the recipe for making delicious bulgur porridge inside a pumpkin can be found here.

Like many questions of modern life, there is no single answer to the question of what kind of cereal to use. Much depends on taste and the rhythm of life. But one thing is clear that it is better to eat porridge from a bag for breakfast than, for example, a weighty piece of fatty fried pork ... So, the benefits of porridge from bags most likely outweigh the harm from the chemical components added to it. As for cereals, properly prepared from natural cereals, this will probably forever remain a symbol of a healthy diet.

Instant porridges in bags for cooking. Rospotrebnadzor passes such products. And here is how the manufacturers themselves advertise it and how they describe the production technology.

Technology for the production of porridge in a bag

A special technology for processing grain crops ensures instant cooking. For production instant porridge flakes are taken, not whole grains. Flakes are flattened grains, they have the greatest ability to absorb moisture and boil soft. The thinner the grain is flattened, the faster the dish will cook. Usually the thickness of flakes for instant cereals does not exceed 0.3-0.5 mm. To increase the ability to absorb moisture, various notches are made on the flakes to obtain the smallest fractions.

After flattening the grains, the future instant porridge subjected to hydrothermal treatment. Then the flakes are dried at high temperatures. The consistency of the future porridge depends on the drying of the flakes. A instant porridge in its consistency from the traditional differs markedly.

Benefits porridge in bags manufacturers consider the following factors:

  • Clean cereal that does not need to be sorted and washed.
  • The cereal is packaged in portion bags, and it is not necessary to measure its quantity. Usually one bag of cereal is two servings.
  • You do not need to monitor the readiness of the cereal, which will be ready for use when it occupies the entire volume of the bag.
  • The method of cooking in cooking bags allows you to cook without wastage.
  • Groats in cooking bags do not cool for a long time.
  • Instant porridge turns out crumbly and tasty.

Which advantages of instant cereals selected by the buyers themselves?

1. The benefits of porridge for breakfast itself are undeniable - it improves digestion, has a beneficial effect on the stomach, and besides, it is nutritious.
2. Instant porridges are much tastier than those we were fed in childhood, due to the additives and flavors introduced into their composition.
3. Convenience of packaging in small bags, which eliminates the problem of uneaten leftovers.
4. Quick and easy cooking that even a child can handle. Saving time.

These data are taken from consumer surveys on manufacturers' websites. porridge in cooking bags.

In principle, all this can be argued. So, point by point.

Disadvantages of instant cereals

1. The benefits of porridge for the body.
In such a concentrated porridge, there are few fibers that pass through the body and sweep all the garbage out of it. Traditional porridge contains enough of these fibers to feel their benefits.
Minerals and vitamins in the process of numerous processings mostly disappear. Only heat-resistant B vitamins, vitamin E and trace elements such as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc remain.

2. The taste of instant cereals.
Pieces of dried berries or fruits are added to most instant cereals. Only the share of these fruit and berry additives is very small - only 1-3 grams, and therefore their role is almost not noticeable. A strong aroma is given not by these additives, but by selected flavors that are identical to natural ones. It may turn out that only pieces of apples are added under the extract of peaches, apricots, pineapples, which is only an artificial smell. It's both cheap and cheerful. The natural taste and smell of natural products is much weaker than those with artificial additives and flavors.

4. Save time.
Soon we will be convinced that we have absolutely no time not only for cooking quality food, but also for personal life, for our own opinion. As the manufacturers say - "everything is prepared before us" - that is, "they have already thought for you - do not think!"

Cooking traditional porridge does not take much time, especially if you fill it with water in the evening, then by morning it remains only to cook a little. At the same time, all vitamins and trace elements are preserved. And buckwheat, for example, if you pour boiling water over it in the evening, in the morning it will turn out to be completely ready and as useful as possible in such preparation.

I would like to say about one more danger of cereals treated with steam and semi-prepared - in case of violation of the tightness of the packaging, pathogenic microbes can multiply in them.

And some experts even advise pouring cereals from cooking bags into a saucepan, because there is no exact guarantee that the food bag is heat-stable.

Of course, such cereals are convenient for lunch outside the home, at work. Just rely on the fact that, using instant porridge, equipped with various exotic additives, we will get a complex of vitamins and microelements necessary for our body, after all, it’s not worth it.

You need to carefully study the label. If the additives are natural, then it should be written like this: pieces of avocado, apple, apricots, etc.

If non-natural ingredients are added, it will be written: flavor identical to natural.

The simpler the composition instant porridge, the better: the cereal itself, pieces of some fruit or berries. And the more different E are indicated, the less benefit for the body. It is better to avoid such cereals, and in any case, do not buy them for children. According to pediatricians, these cereals are not suitable for baby food, since they use very small flakes, which contain a minimum of useful substances, but there are enough sweeteners, flavors and other additives that can cause allergic reactions in children of any age. And in cereals with pieces of dried fruit, the harm from preservatives and additives often exceeds the usefulness of natural fillers.

Competent and caring experts are sounding the alarm that every year the number of people who often suffer from respiratory diseases and flu, have weak immunity, chronic fatigue syndrome, overweight and other common diseases is growing. All this is largely due to the fact that people began to prefer empty “fast” food to high-quality, healthy and freshly prepared food.

Lilia Yurkanis

Such a concept as fast food came into our everyday life relatively recently, with the general acceleration of the rhythm of life. Now in any grocery store you can buy a variety of products that require both long-term and short-term processing. If, in order to save time, you decide to choose instant cereals for yourself, the benefits and harms, as well as their features, should be fully known to you. This will allow you to make an informed choice.

Varieties of instant cereals

Today, under the words "instant porridge" products of various kinds are produced. Therefore, you should immediately identify the difference between them. Instant cereals themselves fall into one category. They need to be cooked, but this process takes only about 5 minutes. The second variety is best described as an instant product. It does not require cooking at all. You just need to pour the cereal with hot milk or water, and in a few minutes you will get ready-made porridge.

To understand what the fundamental difference between these two types is, it is best to understand the manufacturing technology of both of them.

Instant porridge

The essence of the production of cereals in this case is that the flakes are more thoroughly crushed. It is this mechanical processing that reduces the cooking time of porridge. Smaller particles dissolve faster. In all other respects, they do not differ from ordinary flakes.

So, oatmeal differs in the degree of grinding. This information is on the packaging. As for buckwheat, wheat and other types of flakes, they do not have such a gradation. This is simply not necessary as they are very thin and porous. Due to this, porridge from them does not require long cooking.

Instant porridge

There is a wide selection of instant oatmeal porridges in stores. In their production, flakes are processed in a special way. The most commonly used technology is steaming or long-term languishing followed by drying. As a result, to prepare a dish, the consumer only needs to pour boiling water over the flakes. They fill with liquid in just a couple of minutes and become soft.

Instant porridges: it is permissible to include in your menu, without abuse

The benefits and harms of instant cereals

Most often, manufacturers offer instant oatmeal, the benefits and harms of which will be taken as the basis in this material. Not in such large quantities, but there are also rice, buckwheat, wheat, millet and some other flakes that allow you to get a ready breakfast in a short time. Their properties after processing largely coincide, so they should be considered as a single group.

Useful properties of quick cereals

Hercules flakes, requiring short-term cooking, are the most useful product of all discussed in this article. They are not much different from ordinary, large, oatmeal. They are simply crushed in order to be able to cook the dish faster. Therefore, the product retains all useful minerals and vitamins, fiber and other active substances that are important for our health. And the reduced cooking time also helps to ensure that they are preserved to the maximum in the finished dish.

Other types of flakes require special processing in order to obtain the desired shape. They require cooking, but at the same time they go through a preparation process similar to the process of making instant porridges. Thus, a significant part of the benefit in both is eventually lost. Only a small part of vitamins and minerals remains. Therefore, any instant porridge, as well as porridge from processed cereal flakes, will be useful only as a way to quickly satisfy the feeling of hunger.

Harm of fast cereals

As for the harm, it is worth noting here all types of cereals, except for oatmeal, as well as any cereals that do not require cooking. It should immediately be noted that their harmful effect on the body is very conditional, and depends on a number of points.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the chemical composition of the flakes. After special processing, they have few useful chemical compounds and a lot of starch. The latter is quickly absorbed and broken down into sugars. Therefore, with regular use, instant cereals can lead to the development of diabetes and obesity. If you eat them only from time to time in small quantities, then there will be no harm to a healthy body, as well as benefit.

But this remark is true only if you choose a quality product. If we consider instant and instant cereals with additives, then most often they contain not only dried berries and fruits, but also chemical additives. Many of them cause real harm to certain organs. If possible, you should avoid such products, even if only natural ingredients appear in the composition. It is better to add frozen or fresh berries, nuts, dried fruits to the dish yourself.

So, we examined instant cereals - the benefits and harms of this product category are relative. So, finely ground herculean flakes that require cooking have a number of useful properties. And any instant porridge without additional additives can be called neutral. They can be snacked from time to time without abusing.

Are instant cereals good or bad?

Constant rush and just a chronic lack of time makes many of us turn our attention to fast food. Undoubtedly, cooking them is much faster and more convenient. Is such a substitution equivalent? Take, for example, instant oatmeal porridge.

Faster than the usual and familiar oatmeal, two types of cereals are prepared. The first type is instant porridge, which you just need to pour boiling water over, and after one minute you can eat.

The second type of cereal is instant oatmeal, which is boiled for three minutes.

In order for oatmeal to cook so quickly, oat grains must be processed: a rough outer husk is removed from whole grains, while a significant part of the germ and shell, in which there are many useful substances, remains. It turned out to be the hercules flakes that are still familiar to us.

To get instant porridge, the grains need to be crushed more finely. For instant cereals even more, and they are obtained as if steamed beforehand. Therefore, they absorb hot water almost immediately, and the starch from them is absorbed by the body faster and better than from oatmeal. What is considered a big disadvantage of such cereals, because the end product of the breakdown of starch is sugar, the excess of which contributes to the development of diabetes and harms the pancreas, and in addition, sugars turn into fat.

Instant porridges from other cereals contain only a huge amount of starch. All shells are removed from the grains of wheat, millet, buckwheat and rice, then the grains are polished and finely crushed. At the same time, with the loss of the shell and the germ of the grain, dietary fibers and biologically active substances are lost. Therefore, I do not want to consider their harm or benefit, they definitely do not bring any benefit, but harm - yes.

Modern nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of foods containing starch. And these are, first of all, the most common products - potatoes and cereals. Oatmeal, and primarily hercules, are an exception - they have more nutrients than starch.

The main beneficial substances of oatmeal are special dietary fibers - beta-glucans, which, when dissolved, become a viscous mass that binds cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to beta-glucans, oatmeal contains amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So, instant porridge, if it is oatmeal and not from other cereals, can be useful. Does this mean that you need to eat more oatmeal for health benefits?

Absolutely not: being carried away by oatmeal, you can easily get fat. And then it will already help the development of diabetes and heart disease, and not interfere. In addition, instant cereals often contain additives in the form of berries or fruits. This additive can be safely called a masquerade, since its dose is very small. And the taste is created not by berries and fruits, but by flavors identical to natural ones. It is better to buy regular porridge, adding frozen fruits and berries to taste, which will be much healthier.

The daily dose of beta-glucan is three grams, 60 grams of oatmeal flakes. But, again, you should not eat oatmeal every day, because you can get beta-glucan from other foods: wholemeal bread, grain bread, bran, beer.

How are instant cereals made?

They are produced on the basis of extrusion technologies.

Processing of raw materials takes place over a short period of time, under the influence of high temperatures and high pressure. As a result of such treatment, possible populations of fungi and bacteria, even the entire spore microflora, are destroyed.

The moisture content of the feedstock is reduced, which increases the shelf life.

This method was originally applied to the processing of polymers and is now successfully used in the production of porous food products.

What is the harm of eating instant cereals?

It is in the shell and germ of the grain that most of the biologically active substances and vitamins are contained. And in the manufacture of instant cereals, the groats from the shells and the germ are cleaned, polished, crushed, and subjected to high pressure and steam treatment. Here we have prepared a dish in two or three minutes, but this is porridge from dried grain, which has practically lost almost all the useful things that it contained, but there is a lot of converted starch that is quickly absorbed by the body and turns into sugar.

True, if there really is a need for a quick bite, then instant cereals (meaning oatmeal) are much better than rolltons, hamburgers or chips.

But you should not often snack on instant cereals - their calorie content can be deposited as an unpleasant surprise on the waist, hips, buttocks ...

Lilia Yurkanis
for the women's magazine InFlora.ru

When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the women's online magazine InFlora.ru is required

Constant rush and just a chronic lack of time makes many of us turn our attention to fast food. Undoubtedly, cooking them is much faster and more convenient. Is such a substitution equivalent? Take, for example, instant oatmeal.

Faster than the usual and familiar oatmeal, two types of cereals are prepared. The first type is instant porridge, which you just need to pour boiling water over, and after one minute you can eat.

The second type of cereal is instant oatmeal, which is boiled for three minutes.

In order for oatmeal to cook so quickly, oat grains must be processed: a rough outer husk is removed from whole grains, while a significant part of the germ and shell, in which there are many useful substances, remains. It turned out to be the hercules flakes that are still familiar to us.

To get instant porridge, the grains need to be crushed more finely. For instant cereals even more, and they are obtained as if steamed beforehand. Therefore, they absorb hot water almost immediately, and the starch from them is absorbed by the body faster and better than from oatmeal. What is considered a big disadvantage of such cereals, because the end product of the breakdown of starch is sugar, the excess of which contributes to the development of diabetes and harms the pancreas, and in addition, sugars turn into fat.

Instant porridges from other cereals contain only a huge amount of starch. All shells are removed from the grains of wheat, millet, buckwheat and rice, then the grains are polished and finely crushed. At the same time, with the loss of the shell and the germ of the grain, dietary fibers and biologically active substances are lost. Therefore, I do not want to consider their harm or benefit, they definitely do not bring any benefit, but harm - yes.

Modern nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of foods containing starch. And these are, first of all, the most common products - potatoes and cereals. Oatmeal, and primarily hercules, are an exception - they have more nutrients than starch.

The main beneficial substances of oatmeal are special dietary fibers - beta-glucans, which, when dissolved, become a viscous mass that binds cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to beta-glucans, oatmeal contains amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So, instant porridge, if it is oatmeal and not from other cereals, can be useful. Does this mean that you need to eat more oatmeal for health benefits?

Absolutely not: being carried away by oatmeal, you can easily get fat. And then it will already help the development of diabetes and heart disease, and not interfere. In addition, instant cereals often contain additives in the form of berries or fruits. This additive can be safely called a masquerade, since its dose is very small. And the taste is created not by berries and fruits, but by flavors identical to natural ones. It is better to buy regular porridge, adding frozen fruits and berries to taste, which will be much healthier.

The daily dose of beta-glucan is three grams, 60 grams of oatmeal flakes. But, again, you should not eat oatmeal every day, because you can get beta-glucan from other foods: wholemeal bread, grain bread, bran, beer.
How are instant cereals made?

They are produced on the basis of extrusion technologies.

Processing of raw materials takes place over a short period of time, under the influence of high temperatures and high pressure. As a result of such treatment, possible populations of fungi and bacteria, even the entire spore microflora, are destroyed.

The moisture content of the feedstock is reduced, which increases the shelf life.

This method was originally applied to the processing of polymers and is now successfully used in the production of porous food products.
What is the harm of eating instant cereals?

It is in the shell and germ of the grain that most of the biologically active substances and vitamins are contained. And in the manufacture of instant cereals, the groats from the shells and the germ are cleaned, polished, crushed, and subjected to high pressure and steam treatment. Here we have prepared a dish in two or three minutes, but this is porridge from dried grain, which has practically lost almost all the useful things that it contained, but there is a lot of converted starch that is quickly absorbed by the body and turns into sugar.

True, if there really is a need for a quick bite, then instant cereals (meaning oatmeal) are much better than rolltons, hamburgers or chips.

But you should not often snack on instant cereals - their calorie content can be deposited as an unpleasant surprise on the waist, hips, buttocks ...

The pace of our life is very high. And in one day, sometimes you need to fit so many things that it may seem impossible. Fast food products help to save time and spend it on important things.

Whether such nutrition is correct from the point of view of health is a very important and extensive question. Today, Healthy Life invites you to discuss the harm and benefits of instant cereals.

The benefits of instant cereals.

Instant cereals include two types of this product:
instant cereals that need to be cooked for about 5-7 minutes;
instant porridge, which for cooking just needs to be poured with boiling water.

It would seem that what could be harmful in instant cereals, because all cereals are a very valuable product from a nutritional point of view? However, the main problem is that cereals, after processing to obtain an instant product, largely lose their beneficial properties. However, let's start first with the benefits of instant cereals:

They have only one benefit: they save at a time when there is no time to cook food, allowing you to eat warm tasty porridge, and not hamburgers and hot dogs.

Harm of instant cereals.

To understand the harm of instant cereals, you need to understand how ordinary cereal cereals become instant cereals.

Let's look at oatmeal first. Oat grains, of course, must be pre-treated. In ordinary cereals, the outer rough skin is removed from the grains, but the grain germs with all the useful properties remain inside. In the case where oatmeal is processed for quick cooking, the grains are ground much more to shorten the cooking time.

Steaming is used for instant cereals. Therefore, ordinary boiling water is enough for them. But at the same time, almost all valuable components of porridge are lost, and only starch remains, which swells when boiling water is added.

The low usefulness of fast and instant products is considered their main drawback. The starch remaining in cereals is affected by gastric enzymes, after which it breaks down into simple sugars that interfere with metabolism, the endocrine system and provoke obesity. In addition, a large amount of starch can cause type II diabetes.

As for other cereals, the situation is even worse. Processed grains of buckwheat, wheat and rice contain even more starch. Together with the shell and germs of the grain, all available dietary fiber and valuable substances leave.

Nutritionists advise eating less starch. For this reason, potatoes are not the best product. And in instant cereals there is more starch than necessary and there is little benefit.

If you choose from all instant cereals, then it is better to stop at oatmeal, as it contains more useful substances and beta-glucans. These polysaccharides are able to bind cholesterol and remove it from the body.

In addition, oatmeal contains a lot of fiber, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. However, even with such benefits, oatmeal should not be consumed often, as you can gain excess weight.

Porridge with dried fruits. Some buyers find dried fruit cereals to be very healthy. But this can only be judged on ordinary cereals that are cooked at home. Instant porridges usually contain a small amount of dried fruit, which is compensated by the addition of flavors and flavor enhancers. It is much more useful to eat regular porridge and add frozen berries, fruits and dried fruits to it.

As you can see, instant cereals can sometimes replace a meal, but you should not introduce the use of such cereals into the norm. It is better to try to cook full-fledged meals that will nourish the body with everything it needs.

Which porridge to choose: instant or instant?

Are instant cereals good or bad?

Constant rush and just a chronic lack of time makes many of us turn our attention to fast food. Undoubtedly, cooking them is much faster and more convenient. Is such a substitution equivalent? Take, for example, instant oatmeal porridge.

Faster than the usual and familiar oatmeal, two types of cereals are prepared. The first type is instant porridge, which you just need to pour boiling water over, and after one minute you can eat.

The second type of cereal is instant oatmeal, which is boiled for three minutes.

In order for oatmeal to cook so quickly, oat grains must be processed: a rough outer husk is removed from whole grains, while a significant part of the germ and shell, in which there are many useful substances, remains. It turned out to be the hercules flakes that are still familiar to us.

To get instant porridge, the grains need to be crushed more finely. For instant cereals even more, and they are obtained as if steamed beforehand. Therefore, they absorb hot water almost immediately, and the starch from them is absorbed by the body faster and better than from oatmeal. What is considered a big disadvantage of such cereals, because the end product of the breakdown of starch is sugar, the excess of which contributes to the development of diabetes and harms the pancreas, and in addition, sugars turn into fat.

Instant porridges from other cereals contain only a huge amount of starch. All shells are removed from the grains of wheat, millet, buckwheat and rice, then the grains are polished and finely crushed. At the same time, with the loss of the shell and the germ of the grain, dietary fibers and biologically active substances are lost. Therefore, I do not want to consider their harm or benefit, they definitely do not bring any benefit, but harm - yes.

Modern nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of foods containing starch. And these are, first of all, the most common products - potatoes and cereals. Oatmeal, and primarily hercules, are an exception - they have more nutrients than starch.

The main beneficial substances of oatmeal are special dietary fibers - beta-glucans, which, when dissolved, become a viscous mass that binds cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to beta-glucans, oatmeal contains amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So, instant porridge, if it is oatmeal and not from other cereals, can be useful. Does this mean that you need to eat more oatmeal for health benefits?

Absolutely not: being carried away by oatmeal, you can easily get fat. And then it will already help the development of diabetes and heart disease, and not interfere. In addition, instant cereals often contain additives in the form of berries or fruits. This additive can be safely called a masquerade, since its dose is very small. And the taste is created not by berries and fruits, but by flavors identical to natural ones. It is better to buy regular porridge, adding frozen fruits and berries to taste, which will be much healthier.

The daily dose of beta-glucan is three grams, 60 grams of oatmeal flakes. But, again, you should not eat oatmeal every day, because you can get beta-glucan from other foods: wholemeal bread, grain bread, bran, beer.

How are instant cereals made?

They are produced on the basis of extrusion technologies.

Processing of raw materials takes place over a short period of time, under the influence of high temperatures and high pressure. As a result of such treatment, possible populations of fungi and bacteria, even the entire spore microflora, are destroyed.

The moisture content of the feedstock is reduced, which increases the shelf life.

This method was originally applied to the processing of polymers and is now successfully used in the production of porous food products.

What is the harm of eating instant cereals?

It is in the shell and germ of the grain that most of the biologically active substances and vitamins are contained. And in the manufacture of instant cereals, the groats from the shells and the germ are cleaned, polished, crushed, and subjected to high pressure and steam treatment. Here we have prepared a dish in two or three minutes, but this is porridge from dried grain, which has practically lost almost all the useful things that it contained, but there is a lot of converted starch that is quickly absorbed by the body and turns into sugar.

True, if there really is a need for a quick bite, then instant cereals (meaning oatmeal) are much better than rolltons, hamburgers or chips.

But you should not often snack on instant cereals - their calorie content can be deposited as an unpleasant surprise on the waist, hips, buttocks ...

Lilia Yurkanis
for the women's magazine InFlora.ru

When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the women's online magazine InFlora.ru is required

"Oatmeal, sir!" In England, oats are one of the most popular ingredients for many dishes. Judging by the latest research, many people in our country also share the love of British people for oatmeal and consider it the best option for breakfast. Its benefits and harms have been proven by medical research. What are the consequences of frequent use of porridge?

Benefits of oatmeal

Nutritionists have long identified the beneficial properties of oatmeal:

  1. low glycemic index. Therefore, doctors advise oatmeal for diabetes, as it maintains blood sugar levels;
  2. calcium content, many children do not like to eat oatmeal in the morning, although it helps to strengthen teeth and hair;
  3. a decoction of water flakes and honey prevents heart disease;
  4. inositol contained in oatmeal or flour normalizes cholesterol levels, this does not allow cholesterol plaques to form;
  5. the benefits of oatmeal are visible under stress, a healthy breakfast improves overall well-being;
  6. saturation of the body with fiber, which prevents the occurrence of gastritis and ulcers. In case of poisoning, you can make a decoction in water from oatmeal, then drink it in small sips;
  7. oatmeal to heal, it used to be believed that the preparation of a decoction of oatmeal treats stomach cancer;
  8. cereal contains antioxidants that increase immunity;
  9. the body quickly absorbs oatmeal. This means that the benefits of oatmeal lies in its diet.

Useful properties of oatmeal used in medicine

Slimming. Although oatmeal is high in calories, it controls the absorption of fats in the body. There are many weight loss diets based on oatmeal or oat milk. The benefits and harms in this case are not fully understood, since this is considered forced weight loss. The most common way to lose weight is 2 unloading (oatmeal) days a week. All day you can eat porridge and drink plenty of fluids. Decoctions of cereals also help, they can be consumed on an empty stomach every morning.

Treatment of hypertension. You can prevent an increase in pressure with the help of oatmeal broth. Pour a glass of oatmeal grains into a plate, pour 1 liter of unboiled, but purified water, then boil over a fire until half of the water has evaporated. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach half a glass of decoction.

Edema treatment. An instant decoction of cereals or oatmeal will help with this. A glass of cereal or cereal is poured with 5 glasses of cool water and put on fire for 15 minutes. After that, a spoonful of flour and honey is added and boiled for another 5-7 minutes. It is filtered, drink such a decoction in small portions throughout the day.

Harm of oatmeal

  1. It is impossible to consume porridge in large quantities daily. Phytic acid, which is contained in cereals, does not completely absorb calcium in the body, washing out part of it from the bone tissue. High levels of phytic acid are dangerous for humans.
  2. The bagged oats that are popular today do not contain essential vitamins and nutrients. It contains starch, entering the body, it breaks down into sugar, which raises the level of glucose in the blood, the pancreas cannot withstand such loads, after which an insulin reaction occurs.
  3. There is a group of people who are contraindicated in the use of cereal cereals. This is due to exposure to gluten, which is found only in cereals: oats and oatmeal. Doctors gave the name to this disease - celiac disease, the symptoms are not immediately visible, at first they are mild, but already at a deep stage they make themselves felt, intestinal absorption at that time is finally destroyed and stops its activity, children are especially susceptible to this disease.

Today on the shelves of stores is the most diverse oatmeal. The benefits and harms of this product depend on the quality. When choosing cereals or cereals, you should pay attention to the name.

Oat flakes "Extra" are often divided into several varieties. One variety contains a thin oatmeal for quick preparation, so they cannot be kept in boiling water for more than 10 minutes. There are varieties with a high content of carbohydrates, the benefits of oatmeal are lost.

Hercules is separated from other varieties of instant oatmeal. The flakes are quite dense, so it will take more time to cook.

Important! When choosing instant porridge, make sure that the oatmeal or oatmeal is in an airtight container, as the product absorbs moisture. Watch the expiration dates, as they start from the moment of development, not packaging. Do not be too lazy (if the packaging is transparent) to examine the contents in the light. High quality flakes are white or cream. Already at home, smell the product, there should be no third-party odors.

What is the benefit of oatmeal for breakfast?

In the mornings, I don’t really want to eat, because the body has not fully woken up. But you still need a sufficient supply of energy before lunch, light porridge is perfect for this. At the same time, the abundance of proteins contained in cereals favorably emphasize the beneficial properties of oatmeal compared to sandwiches. If you eat denser and heavier food with oatmeal, the same fried eggs, then cereals contribute to rapid absorption.

The benefits of oatmeal are observed in diets, when the metabolism in the body is organized. Gastroenterologists have found out how useful oatmeal is: the presence of vitamins K and B improves blood clotting, normalizes kidney function. The body is strengthened, which is a guarantee of good health for the whole day.

Instant oatmeal is never boring. It can be cooked in water or milk, combined with fruits and honey, and the cereal itself is inexpensive. Children will love this breakfast for its originality and taste.

Are instant oatmeal harmful?

Due to the lack of time, people prefer instant porridge. Few people know that the benefits and harms of oatmeal in bags are different from the properties of a natural product. Porridges in bags have a low level of regulation in the body of metabolism, and you can forget about energy and good mood. Such porridge is quite convenient, one has only to pour the contents of the package into a plate and pour water, three minutes - the porridge is ready. For the mass production of this product, the grains are crushed and pre-steamed, which contributes to instant absorption by the body, of course, this is harmful. Sugar can be called the end product of the decay of such a “healthy breakfast”. High sugar levels make the pancreas work harder, which increases the risk of diabetes. Further, sugar turns into fat, and the benefits of oatmeal disappear.

If you are used to eating oatmeal in the morning, it is better to give preference to natural oatmeal. Cooking takes not so much time, but in the end you will get a high-quality, healthy and tasty product. With the right choice of cereals or oatmeal, as well as following the recommendations for preparing a hearty breakfast, you will have a good mood and a healthy body.

Some symptoms of the appearance:

  • increased sweating;
  • weakened immunity, frequent colds;
  • weakness, fatigue;
  • nervous state, depression;
  • headaches and migraines;
  • intermittent diarrhea and constipation;
  • want sweet and sour;
  • bad breath;
  • frequent feeling of hunger;
  • weight loss problems
  • loss of appetite;
  • night grinding of teeth, salivation;
  • pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
  • does not pass cough;
  • pimples on the skin.

If you have any of the symptoms or doubt the causes of ailments, you need to cleanse the body as soon as possible. How to do it read here.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

Today in any grocery store you can find bright boxes or small bags of cereals, the heat treatment of which takes no more than 3-5 minutes. To understand the benefits or harms of instant porridge for the body, you need to evaluate their species characteristics.

Portal "Polzateevo" tried to understand the issue and found that the situation is ambiguous. When using a quality workpiece and its proper processing, you can count on getting a fairly healthy dish. But, unfortunately, this is more the exception than the rule.

Types and characteristics of instant cereals

As soon as instant cereals appeared in the assortment of stores, they began to gain popularity among consumers. Only after some time, nutritionists thought about the quality and composition of such products and began to carefully study them. The conclusions were not the most comforting, because in terms of the set of necessary substances, the products were very different from the originals. Changes were made to the technical aspects of the production of cereals and the recipe.

Now all manufactured products can be conditionally divided into two large groups, the benefits and harms of which are incomparable.

  • Fast food products. This is just a natural product, mechanically crushed as much as possible. Some of its useful properties are destroyed, but most of the useful components remain intact. It is not enough to pour boiling water over such products, they need to be boiled, although not so long.

Tip: When buying instant porridge with pieces of fruit, you should pay attention to the way these ingredients are dried. Only freeze-drying, which involves freezing and dehydration of products, retains all the useful substances in them. Other options deprive these components of the required properties and even make them unhealthy.

  • Instant product. They are often called "Minute" and are sold in portions. It is enough to pour the product into a cup or plate, pour boiling water or hot milk, wait a couple of minutes. The blanks swell and in appearance and taste begin to resemble a traditional product. To achieve this result, the raw materials are subjected to preliminary steaming, prolonged languishing and special drying.

If the first version of the product has useful substances in the composition, then its instant analogue in bags is absolutely useless. In addition, food additives are often used to give such products a more pleasant taste. The vast majority of them are not capable of bringing the body anything but harm.

Advantages and benefits of instant cereals

The properties and characteristics of ready-to-eat porridges prepared with a quick method may appear depending on the type of base raw material. For example, mechanically pre-treated oatmeal will practically not lose quality. True, for this it is better not to boil them, but simply pour boiling water over them, cover with a lid and wait a couple of minutes.

In the case of buckwheat or rice flakes, it is not so easy to achieve such a result. Recommendations on the optimal method of processing raw materials are given on the product packaging. Practice shows that the exposure time in them is usually exaggerated, which is why the finished dish becomes unappetizing and not so useful. It is better to find your own version of cooking or infusion of the mass, for example, in a thermos or in a water bath.

In addition to its nutritional properties, instant cereal has a number of practical advantages:

  1. Cereals do not need to be sorted or washed beforehand. They are already maximally cleaned of dirt and can be used immediately after opening the box.
  2. They really take a lot less time to prepare. In situations where every minute counts, this can be very useful.
  3. Such products can be an excellent replacement for today's fashionable and rather expensive superfoods. They are perfectly combined and complement each other in some parameters of the mineral or vitamin composition. They do not even need to be prepared separately, it is enough to mix several types.

Rice, buckwheat, millet or instant oatmeal are always eaten fresh. Within a few minutes after the completion of the processing of raw materials, the process of decay of useful substances in it begins.

Disadvantages of instant cereals

Negative moments are usually noted when using instant cereals and instant products, which contain nutritional supplements. You should not buy a product that contains at least something other than the cereal itself (sometimes pieces of fruit are allowed). The inclusion in the diet of a product that does not meet this requirement can lead to the following consequences:

  • An abundance of sugar and starch can cause obesity and diabetes. Even in small volumes, such products can have a negative impact on the state of metabolism.
  • People who do not know whether the benefits or harms are more real for the body when using some kind of nutritional supplement are at great risk to their health. It is better not to think about this issue at all and abandon the dubious product. There are very few harmless and useful compounds, and most often they come in combination with not the safest analogues.
  • Today, instant oatmeal is extremely popular. The benefits and harms of the product make it an exception from the entire list of analogues. But even when buying it, you should pay attention to the presence of additives. It is better to refuse offers with fruits and nuts, and introduce these ingredients yourself, into the already prepared mass.
  • Machined blanks are practically devoid of fiber, so they are not able to stimulate the intestines and cleanse the tissues of toxins. This must be taken into account and introduced into the menu products rich in vegetable fibers to restore balance.
  • You should not buy instant porridge, on the packaging of which it is said about the additional enrichment of raw materials with minerals and vitamins. Micronutrients in it will be distributed so unevenly that the body will only receive harm.

Instant cereals can be included in your diet, but you should not do this every day. If time is running out, and you want to make breakfast useful, such products will help save the situation. The rest of the time, preference should be given to ordinary, pre-treated raw materials. There are many ways to achieve its rapid completion to readiness without loss of quality.

While everyone is familiar with regular oatmeal, most rely on instant oatmeal for a quick and healthy breakfast. So, what exactly is the difference between regular oatmeal and instant oatmeal? Does instant oatmeal provide the same benefits as regular oatmeal? Do they have the same nutritional value?

Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of oatmeal - its high fiber content, its ability to lower cholesterol, and many other qualities. Therefore, oatmeal is becoming an increasingly popular hot breakfast item, especially during the cold winter months. There are several varieties of it:

  • granulated
  • traditional
  • fast food
  • instant cooking

The difference between them lies in the kind of processing they go through.

Cooking time for oatmeal

Instant oatmeal, as the name suggests, is instant oatmeal. It is the speed of preparation that makes such oatmeal a popular breakfast. Just one minute is enough if you cook it on the stove, and two minutes if you just pour boiling water over it. Flattened or regular oatmeal, on the other hand, requires 10-15 minutes of cooking on the stovetop, as the flakes are larger and take longer to absorb water when cooked.

Degree of processing

Ordinary oatmeal is dried oatmeal, which is steamed and then passed through rollers that flatten it. Its chaff shell is removed, but the hard shell is preserved. Instant oatmeal, on the other hand, is also passed through rollers, pressed to a thin state, and steamed; however, it differs in the size of the resulting flakes. Such oatmeal is flattened very thinly and crushed into tiny fragments. Thus, the main difference between instant oatmeal and regular oatmeal is that the former is more deeply processed before reaching the consumer, while the latter is minimally processed.

Glycemic index of oatmeal

This is one of the main parameters in which regular oatmeal is superior to instant oatmeal. Since instant oatmeal is more processed and also ground, it is absorbed by the body much faster than regular oatmeal. This means that such oatmeal is more likely to increase blood sugar levels and contribute to a faster feeling of hunger. Thus, instant oatmeal has a high glycemic index, while regular oatmeal has a low glycemic index, which allows it to provide a longer feeling of satiety. Conclusion: Considering all three of the above, rolled oatmeal is definitely healthier.

Here the next question arises - which is better: rolled oatmeal or regular? Do all of the above facts make instant oatmeal unhealthy? The answer is no! Instant oatmeal is more processed and has a high glycemic index, but it has the same nutritional value as rolled oatmeal (in terms of vitamins, fiber, cholesterol-lowering ability, etc.), so it cannot be considered harmful. In fact, all varieties of oatmeal undergo some processing. Then why is there so much talk about instant oatmeal being unhealthy? In fact, unhealthy instant oatmeal is flavored oatmeal, such as apple or cinnamon, maple or brown sugar, chocolate, etc. Flavored varieties of instant oatmeal are high in sugar, salt, artificial colors, and other undesirable ingredients. This makes eating nutritious oatmeal not such a healthy way to start the day.

And while regular oatmeal is the ideal choice, if you're looking for a more convenient breakfast item, you can be sure to choose instant oats that are healthy, full-bodied, and contain minimal ingredients. Adding a small amount of crushed fruits and nuts to oatmeal not only makes it taste better, it also improves its nutrient content and makes you feel fuller for a longer time.

Such a concept as fast food came into our everyday life relatively recently, with the general acceleration of the rhythm of life. Now in any grocery store you can buy a variety of products that require both long-term and short-term processing. If, in order to save time, you decide to choose instant cereals for yourself, the benefits and harms, as well as their features, should be fully known to you. This will allow you to make an informed choice.

Varieties of instant cereals

Today, under the words "instant porridge" products of various kinds are produced. Therefore, you should immediately identify the difference between them. Instant cereals themselves fall into one category. They need to be cooked, but this process takes only about 5 minutes. The second variety is best described as an instant product. It does not require cooking at all. You just need to pour the cereal with hot milk or water, and in a few minutes you will get ready-made porridge.

To understand what the fundamental difference between these two types is, it is best to understand the manufacturing technology of both of them.

The essence of the production of cereals in this case is that the flakes are more thoroughly crushed. It is this mechanical processing that reduces the cooking time of porridge. Smaller particles dissolve faster. In all other respects, they do not differ from ordinary flakes.

So, oatmeal differs in the degree of grinding. This information is on the packaging. As for buckwheat, wheat and other types of flakes, they do not have such a gradation. This is simply not necessary as they are very thin and porous. Due to this, porridge from them does not require long cooking.

Instant porridge

There is a wide selection of instant oatmeal porridges in stores. In their production, flakes are processed in a special way. The most commonly used technology is steaming or long-term languishing followed by drying. As a result, to prepare a dish, the consumer only needs to pour boiling water over the flakes. They fill with liquid in just a couple of minutes and become soft.

it is permissible to include in your menu, without abuse

The benefits and harms of instant cereals

Most often, manufacturers offer instant oatmeal, the benefits and harms of which will be taken as the basis in this material. Not in such large quantities, but there are also rice, buckwheat, wheat, millet and some other flakes that allow you to get a ready breakfast in a short time. Their properties after processing largely coincide, so they should be considered as a single group.

Useful properties of quick cereals

Hercules flakes, requiring short-term cooking, are the most useful product of all discussed in this article. They are not much different from ordinary, large, oatmeal. They are simply crushed in order to be able to cook the dish faster. Therefore, the product retains all useful minerals and vitamins, fiber and other active substances that are important for our health. And the reduced cooking time also helps to ensure that they are preserved to the maximum in the finished dish.

Other types of flakes require special processing in order to obtain the desired shape. They require cooking, but at the same time they go through a preparation process similar to the process of making instant porridges. Thus, a significant part of the benefit in both is eventually lost. Only a small part of vitamins and minerals remains. Therefore, any instant porridge, as well as porridge from processed cereal flakes, will be useful only as a way to quickly satisfy the feeling of hunger.

Harm of fast cereals

As for the harm, it is worth noting here all types of cereals, except for oatmeal, as well as any cereals that do not require cooking. It should immediately be noted that their harmful effect on the body is very conditional, and depends on a number of points.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the chemical composition of the flakes. After special processing, they have few useful chemical compounds and a lot of starch. The latter is quickly absorbed and broken down into sugars. Therefore, with regular use, instant cereals can lead to the development of diabetes and obesity. If you eat them only from time to time in small quantities, then there will be no harm to a healthy body, as well as benefit.

But this remark is true only if you choose a quality product. If we consider instant and instant cereals with additives, then most often they contain not only dried berries and fruits, but also chemical additives. Many of them cause real harm to certain organs. If possible, you should avoid such products, even if only natural ingredients appear in the composition. It is better to add frozen or fresh berries, nuts, dried fruits to the dish yourself.

So, we examined instant cereals - the benefits and harms of this product category are relative. So, finely ground herculean flakes that require cooking have a number of useful properties. And any instant porridge without additional additives can be called neutral. They can be snacked from time to time without abusing.



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