Sounds ideal — the goodness of oats in the form of crunchy ready-to-eat cereal. All you have to do is pour, add milk and your perfect healthy breakfast is ready.
Unfortunately this is not the case. Breakfast is an important meal and sets the tone for the rest of day. After keeping your stomach empty for 7-8 hours during sleep breakfast(literally breaking the fast) you need a wholesome nutritious breakfast in the morning.
Oats is a food that is a good, especially if you are trying to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes. Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. Numerous studies have consistently proven the beneficial effects of this special fiber on cholesterol levels.
It’s not surprisingly that big food companies have jumped on this health aspect oats and started producing ready-to-eat oat products.
Kellogg’s Oat bites is particularly bad because it is not just oats in these little bites. Let’s examine the ingredients:
Whole Oat Flour, Sugar, Corn Flour, Wheat Flour, Wheat Bran, Iodized Salt, Raising Agent, Vitamins and Minerals, Antioxidants. Contains added flavour(Artificially Flavoured Substances)
The fact that sugar is the second ingredient should tell you something about this product. Wheat flour listed is maida and do you really need artifically flavoured substances? There are some added vitamins and minerals but you do not need to eat this sugar based cereal to get those.
I know cereal is easy, but cooking oats takes five minutes, keeps you fuller and is a much healthier options. Put some quick cooking oats in a pan with some water or milk or a combination of the two. Add a pinch of salt and any sweetener of your choice — honey, molasses or just plain raisins and cook for five minutes.
Bottom Line: Avoid Oat Bites for breakfasts. Our traditional Indian breakfasts are far better than this processed product. If you want to include oats in your diet then go for the real thing.