8 Ways to Use Oats That Aren't Oatmeal (2024)

FAQs

How to eat oats that are not oatmeal? ›

When it comes to beauty and skincare products, oats and oatmeal have long been a favorite ingredient. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, oats are an effective home remedy for relieving itchy skin. Oats are also a popular option for natural face masks or scrubs, whether bought in-store or created at home.

Oats might reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and help control appetite by making you feel full. Oat bran might work by keeping the gut from absorbing substances that can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Oats seem to reduce swelling when applied to the skin.

They cook quickly—in about 10 to 15 minutes—and maintain some structure and bite. These are the reasons old-fashioned oats are a great go-to for bowls of oatmeal and overnight oats as well as all sorts of baked goods, including cookies, muffins, and granola bars.

Fresh fruit will add fiber, vitamins, minerals and some sweetness to your oatmeal. Fruit's fat-soluble vitamins like A, E and K will best absorb if you add in a fat source like nuts, which will also add extra fiber and protein.

Yes, oats can be eaten without cooking. For example, there are a number of no-bake cookies containing oats that are very popular. However, because some individuals have more sensitive digestive tracts, it is a good idea to introduce raw oats to your diet slowly and to drink some fluids when eating the oats.

For many people with diabetes, consuming oatmeal doesn't have a lot of cons. Eating oatmeal can spike blood sugar levels if you choose instant oatmeal with added sugar or consume too much at once. Oatmeal may negatively affect health in those with gastroparesis, a health condition that causes delayed gastric emptying.

Oats are used for human consumption as oatmeal, including as steel cut oats or rolled oats. They appear to have been domesticated as a secondary crop as their seeds resembled those of other cereals closely enough for them to be included by early cultivators.

Are oats carbs or protein? Oats are a type of grain, which is a kind of carbohydrate. That said, 1/2 cup of dry oats also contains 5.3 g of protein .

Uses of Oats

Oats are most commonly used in foods such as oatmeal, and oat flour. They are also common ingredients in baked goods like cookies, granola bars, and bread. Oats are also a main source of feed for farm animals like horses and cattle. The straw from the oat plant can be used as bedding for the animals.

What were oats originally used for? ›

By 1500 oats were an important cereal in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and the grain spread to other parts of the world. In America it was primarily used for animal feed until around 1900, when, due to the rise of local mills and grocery stores, oatmeal began to gain in popularity as a breakfast food.

Speaking of, what is the difference between oats and oatmeal? Technically, oats refers to the whole grains themselves, and oatmeal to the porridge-like dish often made from them, and/or to the processed form of the whole grains—but now, the terms are often used interchangeably.

Though raw oats are safe to eat, it's recommended to soak them in water, juice, milk, or a nondairy milk alternative to avoid some unwanted side effects. Eating dry raw oats could lead them to build up in your stomach or intestines, resulting in indigestion or constipation.

Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest. In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we'll be soaking. Once they're soaked, it's time to cook.