Are oats for breakfast actually good for weight loss?
Replies
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Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.1 -
clafairy1984 wrote: »Is oatmeal a good choice for breakfast when trying to lose weight? I tend to avoid carbs until after I've worked out, so breakfast is usually some kind of eggs with spinach or similar. However, I keep reading places that oats are a great start to the day, but don't want to jeaporsise my low carb eating. I'm thinking of prepping overnight oats, with almond milk, protein, chai seeds, PB2 and berries for a grab and go breakfast on work mornings. After some thoughts on whether this would be a good breakfast choice or whether I'm better off sticking to eggs.
Which keeps you fuller longer and satisfies you more? That is really the only real thing that determines what food is best for breakfast.
Favorite anecdote: my Mom sat down with her father when he was visiting (he was 95 at the time) and recorded him talking about his life, childhood, family, etc. At one time she asked him "So Dad, what do you owe your longevity to?" He slammed his hand on the table and forcefully said "a bowl of oatmeal every morning".2 -
For me, protein based breakfasts (typically eggs) hold me over the longest.
The exception is when I do morning runs I like a light, carby start, typically a banana since they don't bog down my tummy too much before exercise.
I don't think there is really a right or wrong answer here. If you are happy with your current low carb situation then maybe it would be best to not change that. If you feel the desire to try something new then go for it. Worst that happens if you decide it isn't for you. But until you try there is no saying whether it will work for you or not.0 -
I usually eat them for a snack or an early morning breakfast (6:30am). I follow instructions for microwave but add 1/4 c to 1/2 c with liquid egg whites (reduce water by that amount) to get some added protein. The egg whites makes the oatmeal fluffy. Quick & easy! Top with cinnamon & berries. I feel pretty satisfied until about 9;30-10 am or so.0
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Wouldnt be for me
Oats to me have always been an addition vs a meal...Like add on top of a dessert and brown them crispy...Or to a smoothie to add a bit of chew...Etc Etc. Oats on their own to me are soggy and plain id end up having to add a bunch of stuff to make it seem worth the calories, Effectively making it even less worth the calories to me XD
Granted im a texture person i just cant get past the soggy texture lol. Id be craving something else directly after i finished, No matter how satisfying it may have been for my body.0 -
clafairy1984 wrote: »Is oatmeal a good choice for breakfast when trying to lose weight? I tend to avoid carbs until after I've worked out, so breakfast is usually some kind of eggs with spinach or similar. However, I keep reading places that oats are a great start to the day, but don't want to jeaporsise my low carb eating. I'm thinking of prepping overnight oats, with almond milk, protein, chai seeds, PB2 and berries for a grab and go breakfast on work mornings. After some thoughts on whether this would be a good breakfast choice or whether I'm better off sticking to eggs.
I eat overnight oats almost every morning. Old fashioned oats, vanilla protein powder, almond milk, cinnamon or pb2. I was a able to loose 92 but I dont eat low carb1 -
so.. are you eating these overnight oat combinations cold or are you warming them up?? i'm so baffled by it.
Cold. When you mix raw oats with yogurt, the bacteria in the yogurt softens the oats and the moisture plumps them up. I also find the yogurt firms up a little (since the oats pulled the moisture out) and has more of a custardy consistency. Some people add a little milk to avoid that.
OP, I eat oatmeal with PB and frozen berries most days as my first meal, usually around noon. I find it filling enough and I love it. But I eat around 50% carbs, so I don't have to worry about that. I know other people don't find a reasonable serving of oats filling enough though. But it is for me, and It fits well within my calorie goal, which is the most important thing
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I alternate between overnight oats and a high-protein breakfast every other day. Recently I have started adding a "second breakfast" of protein if I have oatmeal first thing in the morning. I eat six small meals a day as opposed to the standard three.0
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so.. are you eating these overnight oat combinations cold or are you warming them up?? i'm so baffled by it.
Cold. When you mix raw oats with yogurt, the bacteria in the yogurt softens the oats and the moisture plumps them up. I also find the yogurt firms up a little (since the oats pulled the moisture out) and has more of a custardy consistency. Some people add a little milk to avoid that.
OP, I eat oatmeal with PB and frozen berries most days as my first meal, usually around noon. I find it filling enough and I love it. But I eat around 50% carbs, so I don't have to worry about that. I know other people don't find a reasonable serving of oats filling enough though. But it is for me, and It fits well within my calorie goal, which is the most important thing
I warm up my overnight oats for about 30 seconds I don't use yogurt is that weird lol?0 -
so.. are you eating these overnight oat combinations cold or are you warming them up?? i'm so baffled by it.
Cold. When you mix raw oats with yogurt, the bacteria in the yogurt softens the oats and the moisture plumps them up. I also find the yogurt firms up a little (since the oats pulled the moisture out) and has more of a custardy consistency. Some people add a little milk to avoid that.
OP, I eat oatmeal with PB and frozen berries most days as my first meal, usually around noon. I find it filling enough and I love it. But I eat around 50% carbs, so I don't have to worry about that. I know other people don't find a reasonable serving of oats filling enough though. But it is for me, and It fits well within my calorie goal, which is the most important thing
I warm up my overnight oats for about 30 seconds I don't use yogurt is that weird lol?
So do you just use milk? Oddly, I think the idea of warm milk is fine, but the idea of warm yogurt is just... Ewww. Go figure! I like it with yogurt because like I said it ends up thick and custardy lie a dessert. 1 -
kristen8000 wrote: »Any food that doesn't leave you hungry all day is great for breakfast. Totally personal preference. I feel eggs/sausage/bacon tends to fill me up and keep me filled more than Oats.
Well said.
Overnight oats with Greek yogurt don't have enough protein to keep me full. Sometimes I make them for a bedtime snack. Several carby foods make me sleepy, so I like them before bed.0 -
so.. are you eating these overnight oat combinations cold or are you warming them up?? i'm so baffled by it.
Cold. When you mix raw oats with yogurt, the bacteria in the yogurt softens the oats and the moisture plumps them up. I also find the yogurt firms up a little (since the oats pulled the moisture out) and has more of a custardy consistency. Some people add a little milk to avoid that.
OP, I eat oatmeal with PB and frozen berries most days as my first meal, usually around noon. I find it filling enough and I love it. But I eat around 50% carbs, so I don't have to worry about that. I know other people don't find a reasonable serving of oats filling enough though. But it is for me, and It fits well within my calorie goal, which is the most important thing
I warm up my overnight oats for about 30 seconds I don't use yogurt is that weird lol?
So do you just use milk? Oddly, I think the idea of warm milk is fine, but the idea of warm yogurt is just... Ewww. Go figure! I like it with yogurt because like I said it ends up thick and custardy lie a dessert.
Same, it has crossed my mind when it's been unexpectedly chilly and I don't want a cold breakfast but the idea of warming yoghurt is weird. And yet I add yoghurt to curries etc. Ah the human brain.
I also don't understand overnight oats without yoghurt, isn't the whole point that they're yoghurt (or dairy free substitute) based?1 -
I do my oats the "Q&D way" 40g Old Fashioned oats, 1 cup water, 2 minutes in the microwave, dash of cinnamon and eat.0
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Although I love having a nice bowl of oatmeal with some fruit and a wee bit of maple syrup - it does not "stick to my ribs" as my Mom would say. I would be hungry again an hour later.0
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so.. are you eating these overnight oat combinations cold or are you warming them up?? i'm so baffled by it.
Cold. When you mix raw oats with yogurt, the bacteria in the yogurt softens the oats and the moisture plumps them up. I also find the yogurt firms up a little (since the oats pulled the moisture out) and has more of a custardy consistency. Some people add a little milk to avoid that.
OP, I eat oatmeal with PB and frozen berries most days as my first meal, usually around noon. I find it filling enough and I love it. But I eat around 50% carbs, so I don't have to worry about that. I know other people don't find a reasonable serving of oats filling enough though. But it is for me, and It fits well within my calorie goal, which is the most important thing
I warm up my overnight oats for about 30 seconds I don't use yogurt is that weird lol?
So do you just use milk? Oddly, I think the idea of warm milk is fine, but the idea of warm yogurt is just... Ewww. Go figure! I like it with yogurt because like I said it ends up thick and custardy lie a dessert.
Yes I just use milk. I didn't like the consistency with yogurt. don't like custard which makes sense lol. I make overnight oats out of convience. I just grab & go and If I want warm it goes in for 30 sec.0 -
Preference. I need more protein for breakfast. But they make a wonderful nighttime snack on a cold night.
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I can't eat plain oatmeal but add a tablespoon of chopped nuts and a half cup of fruit, and I'm full most of the morning!0
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Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.3 -
CaliMomTeach wrote: »About a year ago, I started eating oatmeal every morning (steel cut) in an attempt to lower my cholesterol. My doctor wanted to put me on medication. Since then, I have lost over 50 pounds and according to a non fasting cholesterol test taken at Kaiser wellness check, my overall cholesterol is in the normal range. Is it the oatmeal or just eating fewer calories? I can't say for sure, but oatmeal definitely makes me feel fuller in the morning than other foods. I usually just mix in a banana with it.
Same for me eating Oatmeal almost daily for 6 months put my cholesterol in the ideal range from a warning range. Has not stalled my weight loss at all.
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clayelliott847 wrote: »Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.
It's not "another way," people who lose weight due to cutting carbohydrates are simply creating a calorie deficit. It's the same way, it's just one of many methods people use to control calorie intake.4 -
clayelliott847 wrote: »Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.
If controlling your carbs helped you to lose weight, it's because doing so helped you eat less calories.4 -
janejellyroll wrote: »clayelliott847 wrote: »Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.
It's not "another way," people who lose weight due to cutting carbohydrates are simply creating a calorie deficit. It's the same way, it's just one of many methods people use to control calorie intake.
In agreement with both posters.clayelliott847 wrote: »Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.
If controlling your carbs helped you to lose weight, it's because doing so helped you eat less calories.2 -
clayelliott847 wrote: »Weight loss is about calories not carbs. If you are eating at a calorie deficit.....you aren't going to store fat even if you are over on carbs.
I like oats in the a.m. - but I only find them filling when I add protein. I cook my oats in milk and then add some chopped fruit. Staying in a deficit is about finding foods that are satiating to you.
WRONG. Carbs is another way to lose weight, My diet is 150 carbs a day, about 50 carbs per meal. Alot of mornings, I will eat the 40 something carbs of oatmeal, then salad for lunch, which had less than 20 carbs. So fit it in when you want.
Yes, oatmeal tastes carboard, I have to add brown sugar.
So you're saying you can eat over your maintenance calories to lose weight......because you are low carb?
This defies science.2 -
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I notice a huge difference (for the better) when I eat overnight oats for breakfast before going for a run compared to other things like egg and toast for breakfast. Feel like I have so much more energy (who knows if this is psychological or not). I make mine by adding 27g of oats to one pot of yogurt and 80g of frozen berries x0
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