Oatmeal is a classic and nutritious meal.
Its usually made with instant, rolled, or steel cut oats, plus other ingredients like milk, water, brown sugar, or fruit.
That said, some versions of oatmeal are healthier than others. Whereas instant oatmeal with a lot of sugar may lead to weight gain, homemade versions sweetened only with fruit may promote weight loss.
No matter your weight goals, you can make small changes to your oatmeal to help you either gain or lose weight.
This article explains whether oatmeal can make you gain weight and provides easy tips to make your oatmeal healthier.
Oatmeals effects on your weight largely depend on how its prepared.
While oatmeal with a lot of high calorie add-ons like peanut butter or chocolate chips may promote weight gain, oatmeal made with water, fruit, and minimal sugar is an excellent meal for those trying to lose weight.
Thats because its packed with fiber and numerous nutrients, such as magnesium, vitamin B1, and iron. Depending on the ingredients used, it may also be a great source of protein (1).
In particular, oats are high in beta glucan, a type of fiber that promotes fullness by delaying stomach emptying and triggering the release of peptide YY, a fullness hormone that may help prevent overeating (2, 3, 4).
Furthermore, oatmeal contains complex carbs that help stabilize your blood sugar levels and ward off hunger (2, 4).
Its best to prepare your own oatmeal using rolled or steel cut oats, which are less processed, higher in fiber, and lower in sugar than instant varieties. Just 1/2 cup (40 grams) of dry rolled oats contains 150 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber (5).
If you prefer instant packets, select unflavored, plain products to control how much sugar you add. You can then add other delicious, low calorie spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla, and apple pie spice.
Limiting the amount of sugar keeps the calorie content low and helps prevent a rapid spike and drop in blood sugar that may lead to feelings of low energy and hunger shortly after your meal (6).
Make your oatmeal with water and sweeten it with fresh or frozen fruit to add nutrients and fiber. For extra protein, opt for milk instead of water or try a scoop of protein powder.
Oatmeals effects on your weight largely depend on its calorie content. For a weight loss version, stick with low calorie ingredients like fruit, spices, and protein powder.
Oatmeal is also a great meal for weight gain since you can easily add extra calories.
First, choose rolled oats, steel cut oats, or unflavored instant oatmeal. This way, you can add healthy, high calorie ingredients while limiting added sugar.
Then, choose milk instead of water for extra calories and protein, followed by nutritious, calorie-dense toppings like:
Finally, top your oatmeal with fresh or frozen fruit for a dash of sweetness and nutrition.
These nutritious, calorie-dense ingredients increase your total daily calorie intake, helping you achieve a calorie surplus for weight gain (7).
Even when trying to gain weight, its still best to avoid sweetened instant oatmeal. Thats because these products are generally high in sugar and low in fiber.
For example, one packet of flavored instant oatmeal contains around 13 grams of added sugar. Since the average serving is two packets, this can add up to over 26 grams of sugar in a single meal (8).
Eating too much sugar is not only linked to weight gain but also conditions like heart disease and diabetes (9, 10, 11).
To boost your oatmeals calorie content while keeping it nutritious, choose toppings like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, natural nut butters, honey, and milk.
If youre looking to make your oatmeal more nutritious, here are some helpful tips (12, 13):
Adding protein, topping with fruit, and using whole oats are great ways to make your oatmeal more nutritious without compromising flavor.
Oatmeal is a great breakfast whether youre trying to gain or lose weight. Regardless of your health goals, select unsweetened instant oatmeal or make it yourself using rolled or steel cut oats.
For weight loss, opt for low calorie, nutritious ingredients like spices, fresh or frozen fruit, and protein powder.
If youre trying to gain weight, choose high calorie ingredients like milk, nuts, peanut butter, honey, and fresh or frozen fruit.
By making small adjustments to your oatmeal, you can enjoy a nutritious meal while reaching your health goals.
See the article here:
Does Oatmeal Lead to Weight Gain? Toppings and More - Healthline
