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8 Apr 2006

CEREAL OF THE WEEK - OATS


Oats have a low Glycaemic Index which means they are absorbed into the blood stream slowly helping to keep blood sugar levels stable. They are a good source of soluble fibre and a number of studies have shown that a diet which is low in fat and rich in soluble fibre can help reduce high blood cholesterol levels.

They are a good source of magnesium, iron, potassium, Thiamin B1, calcium, zinc, vitamin E and essential unsaturated oils. The protein is of a particularly high quality.

Dr Bircher-Benner of Switzerland devised and oat and fruit dish called Muesli knowing that oats were one of the most nutritious of all the cereals containing a special type of fibre which helped alleviate many diseases. The gooey substance in oats and not found in wheat, latest research has found to be excellent for all digestive problems.

There are various types available in the shops:
Oat groats: These nutty-tasting whole grains can be eaten as cereal, but are more commonly served as a main or side dish. Groats is used as a stuffing for vegetables or to thicken soups and sauces. Oat groats are easy to sprout and can be added to salads, soups and stir-fry.
Steel-cut oats: Is made by slicing the grain thinly lengthwise. Commonly eaten as a breakfast cereal, they have a dense, chewy texture and take longer to cook than rolled oats. You can also add them to soups and stews.
Rolled oats: These are the familiar forms of oats sold in the supermarket. The grains are heated and pressed flat with steel rollers to shorten cooking times. There are three types of rolled oats: 1) Old-fashioned oats: the whole grain is rolled. 2) Quick-cooking oats: the grains are sliced before rolling. 3) Instant oatmeal: the grains are precooked, dried, and then rolled very thin.
Oat bran: This outer layer of the grain, lighter and finer than wheat bran, is high in fiber and nutrients. It can be eaten as a cereal.
Commercial cereals: There are many varieties available in the supermarkets of cereals, granolas and muesli with an oats base.

There are thousands of great oat bread, muffin, cookie, soup and salad recipes on the internet so there is no reason to limit your oats to just breakfast time.

Try this simple recipe:

NO BAKE COOKIES

4oz / 1/4 cup margarine
2 cups Sugar
4 tb Cocoa
1/2 cup Soy Milk
1/2 cup Peanut butter
2 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Melt margarine, add sugar, Cocoa and soymilk, bring to boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Add peanut butter, oats and chopped nuts. Mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let set in refrigerator.

Have a great Saturday.





3 comments:

Ed Bremson, MFA said...

You have a good blog here. I wish I were vegan, but tend to be more vegetarian simply because it is so difficult to be vegan. My late wife was macrobiotic, but I could never really get into that. Anyway, good luck. I wish more people were vegan.

Jackie said...

Thanks for your comment Ed. I agree, it was hard at the beginning to become Vegan but was worth it in the end.

Jackie said...

trollmeister, that is your opinion and your choice. I just prefer the healthy, cruelty-free way.