Constant rush and just a chronic lack of time makes many of us turn our attention to fast food. Undoubtedly, cooking them is much faster and more convenient. Is such a substitution equivalent? Take, for example, instant oatmeal.
Faster than the usual and familiar oatmeal, two types of cereals are prepared. The first type is instant porridge, which you just need to pour boiling water over, and after one minute you can eat.
The second type of cereal is instant oatmeal, which is boiled for three minutes.
In order for oatmeal to cook so quickly, oat grains must be processed: a rough outer husk is removed from whole grains, while a significant part of the germ and shell, in which there are many useful substances, remains. It turned out to be the hercules flakes that are still familiar to us.
To get instant porridge, the grains need to be crushed more finely. For instant cereals even more, and they are obtained as if steamed beforehand. Therefore, they absorb hot water almost immediately, and the starch from them is absorbed by the body faster and better than from oatmeal. What is considered a big disadvantage of such cereals, because the end product of the breakdown of starch is sugar, the excess of which contributes to the development of diabetes and harms the pancreas, and in addition, sugars turn into fat.
Instant porridges from other cereals contain only a huge amount of starch. All shells are removed from the grains of wheat, millet, buckwheat and rice, then the grains are polished and finely crushed. At the same time, with the loss of the shell and the germ of the grain, dietary fibers and biologically active substances are lost. Therefore, I do not want to consider their harm or benefit, they definitely do not bring any benefit, but harm - yes.
Modern nutritionists recommend limiting the consumption of foods containing starch. And these are, first of all, the most common products - potatoes and cereals. Oatmeal, and primarily hercules, are an exception - they have more nutrients than starch.
The main beneficial substances of oatmeal are special dietary fibers - beta-glucans, which, when dissolved, become a viscous mass that binds cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to beta-glucans, oatmeal contains amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
So, instant porridge, if it is oatmeal and not from other cereals, can be useful. Does this mean that you need to eat more oatmeal for health benefits?
Absolutely not: being carried away by oatmeal, you can easily get fat. And then it will already help the development of diabetes and heart disease, and not interfere. In addition, instant cereals often contain additives in the form of berries or fruits. This additive can be safely called a masquerade, since its dose is very small. And the taste is created not by berries and fruits, but by flavors identical to natural ones. It is better to buy regular porridge, adding frozen fruits and berries to taste, which will be much healthier.
The daily dose of beta-glucan is three grams, 60 grams of oatmeal flakes. But, again, you should not eat oatmeal every day, because you can get beta-glucan from other foods: wholemeal bread, grain bread, bran, beer.
How are instant cereals made?
They are produced on the basis of extrusion technologies.
Processing of raw materials takes place over a short period of time, under the influence of high temperatures and high pressure. As a result of such treatment, possible populations of fungi and bacteria, even the entire spore microflora, are destroyed.
The moisture content of the feedstock is reduced, which increases the shelf life.
This method was originally applied to the processing of polymers and is now successfully used in the production of porous food products.
What is the harm of eating instant cereals?
It is in the shell and germ of the grain that most of the biologically active substances and vitamins are contained. And in the manufacture of instant cereals, the groats from the shells and the germ are cleaned, polished, crushed, and subjected to high pressure and steam treatment. Here we have prepared a dish in two or three minutes, but this is porridge from dried grain, which has practically lost almost all the useful things that it contained, but there is a lot of converted starch that is quickly absorbed by the body and turns into sugar.
True, if there really is a need for a quick bite, then instant cereals (meaning oatmeal) are much better than rolltons, hamburgers or chips.
But you should not often snack on instant cereals - their calorie content can be deposited as an unpleasant surprise on the waist, hips, buttocks ...
Instant porridges are a great find for any housewife. Quick, easy, cheap and delicious.
And maybe even useful? So what are the properties of instant cereals?
Instant porridge: fast and healthy, but how?
Fans of instant porridges are probably thinking about how delicious porridge, familiar to everyone, can turn out in a couple of minutes. The production technology of such cereals is more complicated. It is worth noting that the composition of porridge does not change. The effect of instant cooking is achieved by additional processing of the grains and bringing them to the stage of flakes. Flakes, as a rule, absorb moisture more actively and swell faster. The thinner the flakes, the faster the porridge will boil.
In pursuit of cooking speed, cereal producers are tirelessly developing new grain processing technologies. For example, you can find instant porridge, the flakes of which will be notched, torn fibers, or completely erased into powder.
Types of instant cereals
In the modern world, producers of instant cereals constantly surprise consumers with the variety of their product. The most popular types are:
Instant porridge
Instant porridge
These two types differ from each other in cooking time. Instant porridges are simply poured with boiling water, and “quick cooking” means a few minutes of waiting, and sometimes cooking in special bags.
In addition to different cooking times, cereals can be ordinary or with the addition of additional components: berries, mushrooms, fruits, nuts.
Useful properties of instant porridge
Often, people's opinion about instant cereals leaves much to be desired. However, "fast" cereals still have a number of advantages and useful properties. The following useful properties are distinguished:
Cleanse the intestines
Rich in vitamins B and vitamin E
Retain zinc, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus
Improve the condition of hair, skin, nails
The benefits of individual cereals
That is, we can conclude that, of course, the list of useful properties of instant cereals is not great, but it is wrong to blame “fast” cereals for an exceptionally harmful effect.
The benefits of individual cereals should be disclosed in more detail, because cereals are different. Producers of "quick" cereals have learned how to turn buckwheat, oatmeal, and rice into flakes. This is far from a complete list.
The most popular are the following types of cereals:
Buckwheat porridge
Everyone's favorite buckwheat is truly rich in vitamins and minerals. It has a positive effect on cholesterol levels and improves immunity. Also, it should be noted that buckwheat does not contain gluten, which is important for people with food allergies.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the healthiest cereals. Her cereal not only perfectly cleanses the intestines, but also normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, and also strengthens blood vessels. No wonder oatmeal is the most popular breakfast.
Rice porrige
Rice cereal is an excellent breakfast, as it gives a boost of energy for the whole day. Rice porridge is ideal for people with food allergies, as it is low allergenic. However, do not abuse it for people who have problems with the intestines and constipation.
Millet porridge
Millet is known for its huge list of various beneficial compounds: magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B6 and many healthy vegetable fats. Millet porridge has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart, and also cleanses the body, removing all toxins and toxins from it. But it should be noted that millet porridge is not nutritious, and you should not consider it as a hearty breakfast.
Harm of instant porridge
Despite the invariance of the composition and convenience, instant cereals still have their drawbacks. The main disadvantages of this "dish" are:
Loss of nutrients due to processing
Chemical additives
The main disadvantage, of course, are the consequences of processing. During the poultice process, the grains lose most of their beneficial vitamins and minerals due to the high temperature used to dry the flakes. Only a group of vitamins B and vitamin E do not lend themselves to heat treatment. Obviously, the list is not long and most of the beneficial properties of grains are still lost.
Another problem with instant cereals is their high starch content. Thus, cereals, which seem to give health and lightness, lead to disappointing consequences: obesity, diabetes and diseases of the cardiovascular system. "Quick" cereals negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system and metabolism.
Also, in pursuit of savings, manufacturers can use apples, which are processed with special chemical flavors and flavorings, instead of whole pieces of fruits and berries. In this case, the benefits of individual fruits and berries are lost, and the consumption of chemicals increases.
Choice of healthy instant porridge
To find the very one from the huge selection of products - healthy and tasty instant porridge, you should, of course, pay attention to its composition.
It is often filled with long and obscure chemical names. But looking for instant porridge that does not contain additives at all is a disastrous business. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of medicinal herbs, medicinal plants, natural pieces of fruits and berries in the porridge. Such cereals, as a rule, contain a special icon on the packaging informing the buyer about the medicinal properties of the cereal. There are instant cereals that are recommended for people with stomach ulcers, gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Also an important factor in choosing instant porridge is packaging. The safety of a special sealed bag is very important for this type of product, since damage to it is fraught with bacteria and infections entering the flakes. Moreover, in case of damage to the packaging, the shelf life of the product is significantly reduced.
The most useful representatives of "fast" cereals are those that require cooking for at least 5 minutes. Most often they are crushed grains or large flakes after mechanical processing. It is these cereals that retain all the useful properties as much as possible.
Instant porridges, in the modern world and with a frantic pace of life, are just a godsend. Of course, "quick" cereals have some advantages, but you should not abuse them. Such cereals are recommended to be consumed rarely and due to strong need. Instant porridges are not a full-fledged replacement for ordinary cooked homemade porridge.
In recent years, more and more appear on store shelves instant porridge, while cereals and other similar instant dishes position themselves as healthy. So, are they useful? How to choose similar products? How did instant cereals become a useful product? Cereals can be beneficial to health by filling the body with carbohydrates needed for energy. And yet distrust of instant food is justified.
Justified distrust
Many inhabitants instant porridge evokes associations with something artificial. Is it so? These associations are partly true. No chemicals are used in the production of instant cereals. It's all about the particular processing of the product - in physics. The grains are flaked by flattening and then steamed. This method allows you to cook porridge in a couple of minutes, not boil, but steam. Such "physics" evaporates part of the nutrients from the porridge. But the problem is different.
Sugar
(and other fast foods) tend to be high in sugar. In addition to sugar, which harms the figure, manufacturers put all kinds of additives (flavors, flavor enhancers) in instant cereals. These ingredients are very popular in the production of fast food. But among modern "fast" products there are also healthy ones.
Health benefits
Some instant porridge contain extracts of medicinal plants. For example, burdock root (licorice, chicory), which is brought to a powder state. Medicinal herbs (dandelion, nettle, horsetail, milk thistle) are aimed at treating specific problems. Manufacturers assure that such cereals are especially useful for those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases (heartburn, ulcers, stomatitis). Such dishes heal the mucous membrane, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and normalize the production of gastric juice.
Porridge base
What are all instant cereals made of - oatmeal? - this is the first thing that comes to mind when you mention "instant porridge". It was these breakfasts that were distributed on the market initially. But the main one can be another cereal. Healthy cereals include cereals made from whole wheat, rye, buckwheat, rice bases. Separately, it is worth mentioning the linen base. Its taste will seem strange to many, unusual. But it has a lot of useful properties:
1. Flaxseed porridge prevents the formation of gastritis, enveloping the gastric mucosa.
3. lignals - special plant substances, which are also found in porridge, prevent the growth of cancer cells.
How often to eat
How often should you eat quick healthy cereals? If the goal is disease prevention, then healthy cereals should be eaten regularly. The best option is in the morning on an empty stomach or 
eat at work. As a treatment, porridge can be eaten only after consulting a doctor. Unlike conventional foods, fortified meals have a stronger effect on the body.
How to recognize
How to recognize a useful product, because many companies position their "fast" products as if under the guise? What points should you pay attention to when choosing a useful instant porridge? The absence of artificial components is the main selection criterion. It is difficult to count on a healing effect if the porridge contains flavoring additives, even if they are identical to natural ones. It is desirable that whole grains be used in the manufacture. But remember: instant cereals cannot be compared in taste and benefits to home-cooked ones.
Usually fast food is not healthy, but instant cereals are sometimes useful.
Useful are not those instant cereals in glamorous cardboard packages, with the inscription "Fitness" or the prefix "Fit" and with a picture of a piece of a thin belly that you have been dreaming of for so long. And just coarse porridge or in grains, properly selected and properly cooked.
I have to warn you - really healthy cereals and cereals in grains usually do not have glamorous packaging, they do not have the tempting word “Fitness” written on them, there is no “Fit” prefix, there is no piece of a thin belly that you have been dreaming of for so long, no mentions of vitamins in large print under the name and it is not even written that it is for weight loss.
Many fat people will have to step over themselves to buy “THIS”, because they always buy everything only if it says that it is for weight loss or for fitness, for body shaping, or if at least a piece of a thinner belly is drawn there. It will be difficult for you to buy normal porridge, but I believe in you!
It will not be difficult for adequate people with a psyche not crippled by pink weight loss magazines to choose the right porridge and learn how to cook it properly. At the end of this article, I will give you a useful article on cereals to read, which tells in detail what kind of cereal to eat. This will help you learn more about cereals, what they are, which ones to choose and open your eyes to important nuances that you have always considered unimportant trifles. And in this article we will talk about instant cereals. We will learn how to cook healthy instant porridge in any conditions.
What you need to quickly cook a very healthy porridge
In order to cook and eat healthy instant porridge you will need:1. Thermoware, (I usually use a 500 ml thermo mug. You can also use other types of thermoware);
2. Whole grains or in grains (oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat or barley);
3. Boiling water (hot one that is still boiling);
4. Spoon or fork (which you will try porridge, and then eat);
5. Salt, oil, etc. as desired (but if you really want to eat, then eat without anything and it will be very tasty);
Learning how to cook healthy instant cereals
1. We fall asleep cereals in a thermal dish;2. Fill with boiling water (so that the lid does not touch the water). Please note that boiling water should be 2-3 times larger in volume than cereals;
3. We put it on a flat surface and cover it with a lid (so that water does not flow out and the lid does not touch the water - this is in order to better retain heat);
4. We are waiting for 10-15 minutes (it is important not to miss, so as not to digest);
5. We drain the water and open the lid (so that the porridge is not digested, because it is in a thermal dish, and it is hot in a thermal dish);
6. We take out a spoon and quickly eat it (because the porridge should be eaten warm);
7. The porridge should be a little harsh, as if undercooked by 1%;
Why instant porridge is so healthy
Despite the ease of preparation, these cereals will be very useful, because they are not cooked, but steamed, and therefore they contain a lot of vitamins. This porridge is much healthier than boiled, because it was cooked at a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius and below.When you pour boiling water into a cup, the water quickly cools down by 5-10 degrees, because part of the heat goes into the inner walls of the thermoware and into the cereal itself. But then the temperature is stably maintained and slowly drops, and this heat reserve is enough to cook porridge.
Porridge that is cooked at a temperature below boiling water is much more useful than that cooked in boiling water and retains many times more vitamins and useful elements.
If you're concerned about the germs that might be on the grits, they were killed as soon as you poured boiling water over them.
The very method of cooking porridge is very helpful on business trips, on hikes, on long car trips, it will be useful for office plankton, indispensable for those whose life goes on tour and business trips, security guards, loaders, watchmen and in general everyone who has a tight schedule and a minimum of free time . Except for those who always sit at home and those who are constantly followed by a mobile kitchen with a personal chef. You just have to know it, be able to do it, so that later you don’t whine that you don’t have the opportunity to eat normal porridge and you are forced to eat dry food and fast-resistance noodles from which health benefits are like goat’s milk.
And even if a mobile kitchen with a personal chef always follows you, then it will be useful to know exactly this method just in case, you never know. Chefs get sick, a wheel breaks in a mobile kitchen, you may run out of money to support servants, etc.
But what about other types of cereals?
You can eat other types of cereals at home. Oatmeal in grains, green or fried buckwheat, wheat groats, barley groats - these are the types of cereals from which you can cook healthy porridge in 10-15 minutes by simply pouring boiling water over it in a thermo dish.
Cooking time for porridge depends on your dishes and the temperature of the environment in which you cook porridge. I usually have edible porridge in 10-11 minutes.
As for such cereals as pearl barley, corn, rice, you will have time to eat them at home. They can also be cooked in thermal dishes, but for this you need very heat-saving thermal dishes, more experience and they cook for 30-40 minutes.
Therefore, for quick preparation of healthy porridge, it would be optimal to use oatmeal in grains, green or fried buckwheat, wheat groats, barley groats.
Where to get boiling water?
To get boiling water you need to turn on your ingenuity. I usually get boiling water from an electric kettle, sometimes from a fire, sometimes from a camping gas burner. You can also get boiling water from an ordinary gas stove, with a small boiler bought on the market, a cup with a built-in heater that can be powered through a regular socket or car cigarette lighter. Also, do not forget that boiling water should be boiling. That is, when it boils and erupts, you must immediately fill it in, if it boiled 5 minutes ago, then this is no longer boiling water.NUANCES and ADDITIONS - it will be useful to know
1. Thermal cookware can be very different, we live in the 21st century, in our time there are many optimal solutions. There is a thermal dish in which you can boil water from the cigarette lighter in the car or from the mains.2. There are not only thermomugs, but also thermoplates and thermopots and so on. It is important that the cookware holds the temperature well and is easy to use for you.
3. Why oatmeal should be in grains and why porridge should not be snot read the article"What kind of porridge should I eat"
4. You can not eat the same porridge for many days in a row, because it will not be very useful. Remember - food should be varied. It is optimal to eat porridge every day that you did not eat yesterday and constantly ask yourself what exactly you want today. You should always have 3-5 types of instant cereals.
5. Be sure to practice right away at home, so that later you can quickly and on the first try do everything right.
6. Porridge can be packed in special sealed bags, pre-measure portions with a measuring cup, because with a 1 kg package. walking is not always comfortable.
7. Germ. bags can be freely bought, I do not sell them, but you will find them.
8. If your cereal is dirty (with dust and pieces of straw), then it can be washed and dried in advance. But I would recommend that you buy clean cereals right away.
9. Portions can be measured with a measuring cup. I use a glass of 100 ml. - this is optimal for one serving. You will know your portion when you cook and eat porridge several times, but for a start it is better to store these volumes. Take as many cereals as you need so that you do NOT undereat or overeat. Remember that throwing away food is not only a sin, but it is also unwise to constantly carry extra weight.
10. Even if it so happened that you ate fast food, cookies, buns and various types of dry food all day long, one serving of healthy instant porridge will greatly improve your digestion, increase your level of efficiency, enthusiasm and, in general, will increase the efficiency of your day very well.
11. As it turned out, in 10-15 minutes you can cook a healthy porridge. Someone might say that it takes a long time and vermicelli or instant soup cooks faster. Perhaps someone will say that there are special cereals that are prepared in a minute and a half. But the benefits of this real porridge are incomparable with any instant porridge. You just need to pour boiling water over it and cover with a lid, then set the timer for 10-15 minutes, drain the water and eat. That is, in fact, you spend very little time and get a super healthy meal.
12. And be sure to wash the dishes after you, the remnants of porridge can be washed off with just water.
"Oatmeal, sir!" In England, oats are one of the most popular ingredients for many dishes. Judging by the latest research, many people in our country also share the love of British people for oatmeal and consider it the best option for breakfast. Its benefits and harms have been proven by medical research. What are the consequences of frequent use of porridge?
Benefits of oatmeal
Nutritionists have long identified the beneficial properties of oatmeal:
- low glycemic index. Therefore, doctors advise oatmeal for diabetes, as it maintains blood sugar levels;
- calcium content, many children do not like to eat oatmeal in the morning, although it helps to strengthen teeth and hair;
- a decoction of water flakes and honey prevents heart disease;
- inositol contained in oatmeal or flour normalizes cholesterol levels, this does not allow cholesterol plaques to form;
- the benefits of oatmeal are visible under stress, a healthy breakfast improves overall well-being;
- saturation of the body with fiber, which prevents the occurrence of gastritis and ulcers. In case of poisoning, you can make a decoction in water from oatmeal, then drink it in small sips;
- oatmeal to heal, it used to be believed that the preparation of a decoction of oatmeal treats stomach cancer;
- cereal contains antioxidants that increase immunity;
- the body quickly absorbs oatmeal. This means that the benefits of oatmeal lies in its diet.
Useful properties of oatmeal used in medicine
Slimming. Although oatmeal is high in calories, it controls the absorption of fats in the body. There are many weight loss diets based on oatmeal or oat milk. The benefits and harms in this case are not fully understood, as this is considered forced weight loss. The most common way to lose weight is 2 unloading (oatmeal) days a week. All day you can eat porridge and drink plenty of fluids. Decoctions of cereals also help, they can be consumed on an empty stomach every morning.
Treatment of hypertension. You can prevent an increase in pressure with the help of oatmeal broth. Pour a glass of oatmeal grains into a plate, pour 1 liter of unboiled, but purified water, then boil over a fire until half of the water has evaporated. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach half a glass of decoction.
Edema treatment. An instant decoction of cereals or oatmeal will help with this. A glass of cereal or cereal is poured with 5 glasses of cool water and put on fire for 15 minutes. After that, a spoonful of flour and honey is added and boiled for another 5-7 minutes. It is filtered, drink such a decoction in small portions throughout the day.
Harm of oatmeal
- It is impossible to consume porridge in large quantities daily. Phytic acid, which is contained in cereals, does not completely absorb calcium in the body, washing out part of it from the bone tissue. High levels of phytic acid are dangerous for humans.
- The bagged oats that are popular today do not contain essential vitamins and nutrients. It contains starch, entering the body, it breaks down into sugar, which raises the level of glucose in the blood, the pancreas cannot withstand such loads, after which an insulin reaction occurs.
- There is a group of people who are contraindicated in the use of cereal cereals. This is due to exposure to gluten, which is found only in cereals: oats and oatmeal. Doctors gave the name to this disease - celiac disease, the symptoms are not immediately visible, at first they are mild, but already at a deep stage they make themselves felt, intestinal absorption at that time is finally destroyed and stops its activity, children are especially susceptible to this disease.
Today on the shelves of stores is the most diverse oatmeal. The benefits and harms of this product depend on the quality. When choosing cereals or cereals, you should pay attention to the name.
Oat flakes "Extra" are often divided into several varieties. One variety contains a thin oatmeal for quick preparation, so they cannot be kept in boiling water for more than 10 minutes. There are varieties with a high content of carbohydrates, the benefits of oatmeal are lost.
Hercules is separated from other varieties of instant oatmeal. The flakes are quite dense, so it will take more time to cook.
Important! When choosing instant porridge, make sure that the oatmeal or oatmeal is in an airtight container, as the product absorbs moisture. Watch the expiration dates, as they start from the moment of development, not packaging. Do not be too lazy (if the packaging is transparent) to examine the contents in the light. High quality flakes are white or cream. Already at home, smell the product, there should be no third-party odors.
What is the benefit of oatmeal for breakfast?
In the mornings, I don’t really want to eat, because the body has not fully woken up. But you still need a sufficient supply of energy before lunch, light porridge is perfect for this. At the same time, the abundance of proteins contained in cereals favorably emphasize the beneficial properties of oatmeal compared to sandwiches. If you eat denser and heavier food with oatmeal, the same fried eggs, then cereals contribute to rapid absorption.
The benefits of oatmeal are observed in diets, when the metabolism in the body is organized. Gastroenterologists have found out how useful oatmeal is: the presence of vitamins K and B improves blood clotting, normalizes kidney function. The body is strengthened, which is a guarantee of good health for the whole day.
Instant oatmeal is never boring. It can be cooked in water or milk, combined with fruits and honey, and the cereal itself is inexpensive. Children will love this breakfast for its originality and taste.
Are instant oatmeal harmful?
Due to the lack of time, people prefer instant porridge. Few people know that the benefits and harms of oatmeal in bags are different from the properties of a natural product. Porridges in bags have a low level of regulation in the body of metabolism, and you can forget about energy and good mood. Such porridge is quite convenient, one has only to pour the contents of the package into a plate and pour water, three minutes - the porridge is ready. For the mass production of this product, the grains are crushed and pre-steamed, which contributes to instant absorption by the body, of course, this is harmful. Sugar can be called the end product of the decay of such a “healthy breakfast”. High sugar levels make the pancreas work harder, which increases the risk of diabetes. Further, sugar turns into fat, and the benefits of oatmeal disappear.
If you are used to eating oatmeal in the morning, it is better to give preference to natural oatmeal. Cooking takes not so much time, but in the end you will get a high-quality, healthy and tasty product. With the right choice of cereals or oatmeal, as well as following the recommendations for preparing a hearty breakfast, you will have a good mood and a healthy body.
Some symptoms of the appearance:
- increased sweating;
- weakened immunity, frequent colds;
- weakness, fatigue;
- nervous state, depression;
- headaches and migraines;
- intermittent diarrhea and constipation;
- want sweet and sour;
- bad breath;
- frequent feeling of hunger;
- weight loss problems
- loss of appetite;
- night grinding of teeth, salivation;
- pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
- does not pass cough;
- pimples on the skin.
If you have any of the symptoms or doubt the causes of ailments, you need to cleanse the body as soon as possible. How to do it .
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