By Jenna French
In the 1980s, the Quaker Oats Company’s foodservice division determined that January was the month in which the most oats were purchased nationwide. Thus, January became National Oatmeal Month, a moniker that has stuck for over 20 years.
Students – if they even eat breakfast at all – are likely to grab a quick bowl of cereal, usually topped with lots of sugar, instead of taking a few minutes to make a bowl of oatmeal. However, for health reasons, http://familydoctor.org recommends people try oatmeal, low-fat granola and whole grain cereal instead of sugar cereals and regular granola.
Oats are a vital part of any well-balanced diet, as they contribute to both heart health and a more functional digestive system. Additionally, oats are the only major grain proven to lower cholesterol.
According to the Quaker Oats Web site, http://www.quakeroatmeal.com, “Oats contain soluble fiber that actively binds with and helps remove excess cholesterol which can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.”
There are three different types of Quaker Oats. The old-fashioned kind, which has low sodium, is mostly used for cooking and baking. The Quaker Quick Oatmeal is the kind most people are familiar with. This type can be made in less than two minutes in the microwave and is available in flavors such as cinnamon roll, french toast and banana bread. In addition, Quaker has come out with the Take Heart brand, which includes antioxidant vitamins E and C, as well as B vitamins to support healthy arteries.
It’s also incredibly simple to make: simply add milk or water and microwave. Once it’s done, you can top it with anything you like. Fruit, milk and brown sugar are among the most popular topping choices.
But oatmeal isn’t the only way to get your oats in. Oatmeal cookies are a close second, followed surprisingly by meatloaf according to the Quaker Oats web site.
How many ways are there to eat oats? The only limits are your imagination. If you need help coming up with some ideas, visit the Quaker Oats consumer site where recipes ranging from cinnamon roll scones to garden-style turkey loaf are available. In all, there are over 300 recipes on the Web site, all involving the most popular grain of the month.
