Is Oatmeal processed food???

2

Replies

  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Quaker Oats with chocolate protein powder mmmm!!

    how do you do it? when i do it, it comes out lumpy.
  • NutellaAddict
    NutellaAddict Posts: 1,258 Member
    Quaker Oats with chocolate protein powder mmmm!!

    how do you do it? when i do it, it comes out lumpy.

    1/3 cup to 1/2 cup Quaker Oatmeal + 1/2-3/4 cup water Microwave for 1:30. Add protein powder and mix mix mix---> Then eat (if it's too clumpy add more water!).
  • Eating my yummy, processed banana bread Quaker oatmeal as I type this...



    Peaches & Cream here!
  • rubypond
    rubypond Posts: 41 Member
    All foods at one point or another are processed foods. Some people feel that if you remove the skin from a food that is considered processed. Others look at process being the addition of additives and preservatives. It really is a controversial area with some people. Not all processed foods are bad for you. Think of it this way....would you drink raw milk? I don't know that I would, so in turn I drink processed milk. With oatmeal if you ask some the removing of the husk makes the oatmeal processed. It all comes down to reading the labels and seeing exactly what is contained in that food. Personally I eat steel cut oatmeal and then add whatever flavors I want in it, fruits etc. Which really if you want to get down to it, ends up being processed by some peoples standards.

    The most commonly accepted definition for processed foods is food that has been transformed from it's natural state for safety reasons and or convenience. According to Historians natural was nasty. Meats were tough and rank. Natural was just unreliable. The speed that things soured was quite quick.
  • EmilyBullough
    EmilyBullough Posts: 30 Member
    I stopped buying the flavored oatmeal packets a long time ago just because I figured out I could have a more filling meal for fewer or comparative calories by using a tub of oats and adding to it. If you flavor it yourself, you control how much sugar goes in and you can use tastier fruit instead of those weird little dried fruit chunks. I like to make oatmeal with cherries (fresh if I have them or frozen) and just a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
  • rubypond
    rubypond Posts: 41 Member
    I suggest you start by learning what processing means. Reading is cool these days, try it.

    No need to be a smart @**! I was just asking the NICE people here at MFP their opinion!!!

    PS. I am not worried about processed foods, it was merely a question possed through conversation!

    My sentiments exactly!
  • JezzD1
    JezzD1 Posts: 431
    I believe I read somewhere that the old fashioned rolled oats are best. I don't know if they are less processed or unprocessed. But they are healthier than the steel cut or instant.
  • Rachel Ray makes a awesome instant oatmeal! There isn't a bunch of added junk in either, just a list of good wholesome ingredients. It is inexpensive and can be found in walmart, that is the only place I have found it. But here it is only two dollars a box and the packet seem to be bigger also. And it is super yummy! My kids love the apple cranberry!
  • Brittany3914
    Brittany3914 Posts: 258 Member
    I buy quick rolled oats in bulk from the co-op for $1.09/pound

    Nutritional value:
    1/2 cup dry measure (41g)
    Calories: 160
    Fat calories: 25
    Total fat: 3g
    Saturated fat: 0g
    Trans fat: 0g
    Cholest: 0mg
    Sodium: 0mg
    Total carb: 27g
    Fiber: 4g
    Sugars: 1g
    Protein: 7g
    Vitamin A: 0%
    Vitamin C: 0%
    Calcium: 2%
    Iron: 7%

    My answer: Processed (in the sense that I'm not hulling the oats myself). But not all processed foods are created equally, in my book. Hands down, a better option than the sugary, pre-packaged, fake-fruit oatmeal.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    Quaker Oats with chocolate protein powder mmmm!!

    how do you do it? when i do it, it comes out lumpy.

    1/3 cup to 1/2 cup Quaker Oatmeal + 1/2-3/4 cup water Microwave for 1:30. Add protein powder and mix mix mix---> Then eat (if it's too clumpy add more water!).

    I blend the protein powder with milk & water and then add to the oats and microwave (3 minutes as I like porridge you can stand your spoon up in). Current rocking my porridge with either apple crumble & custard powder or chocolate & coconut powder. Yummy :bigsmile:
  • I think it just comes down to being intelligent and understanding about whatever "process" a food item goes through. i.e. there is a massive difference between oatmeal (thinking pure homemade stuff) and say Frosties or cheerios.
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    A friend and I got into a discussion the other day about processed food and we were unsure about Quaker's instant oatmeal packets. So, is it processed???

    On a side note, I eat the flavored kinds. Would this be a processed food???

    Yes. Those flavored packettes can be really high is sugar as well.

    Technically all oats are processed somewhat, since you are not buying it still on the stalk.

    Steel cut oats are minimalling processed. Rolled or Old Fashioned are steamed and rolled for a softer texture, so a little more processed. Instant is processed a little more for quick cooking.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    yup
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    i am just trying so hard to end my grocery store quest for "inorganic" bananas that I can actually eat... if you know what I mean... "Chemicals" could be next on a list of most misused words perhaps?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    i am just trying so hard to end my grocery store quest for "inorganic" bananas that I can actually eat... if you know what I mean... "Chemicals" could be next on a list of most misused words perhaps?

    No inorganic bananas, but you can buy organic salt. And no I don't mean acetate.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    i am just trying so hard to end my grocery store quest for "inorganic" bananas that I can actually eat... if you know what I mean... "Chemicals" could be next on a list of most misused words perhaps?

    oh america.... lol
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    You're not cooking them are you??!!
    You're just supposed to nibble the grains off of the plants.

    lol
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    i am just trying so hard to end my grocery store quest for "inorganic" bananas that I can actually eat... if you know what I mean... "Chemicals" could be next on a list of most misused words perhaps?

    No inorganic bananas, but you can buy organic salt. And no I don't mean acetate.

    It would be funny were it not so sad.
  • IIISpartacusIII
    IIISpartacusIII Posts: 252 Member
    I had this friend in high school who always ate those processed oats. His parents warned him against it and yet he continued. He said it gave him energy and was very filling. I never quite understood his obsession but years later I found out that he jumped off of a bridge and fell to his death. The thing is... he almost certainly had some unprocessed oats for breakfast that very day! Draw your own conclusions.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    i am just trying so hard to end my grocery store quest for "inorganic" bananas that I can actually eat... if you know what I mean... "Chemicals" could be next on a list of most misused words perhaps?

    No inorganic bananas, but you can buy organic salt. And no I don't mean acetate.

    It would be funny were it not so sad.

    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.
  • dsmpunk
    dsmpunk Posts: 262 Member
    If I could eliminate one word from MFP it would be "processed."

    Could we make it two and add "organic" to the list? Please??

    I wouldn't mind that. I mean, at least organic actually means something.... but then again most people who use the word don't actually know what it means. So, yeah.

    I would like to eliminate the word clean. Thanks.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."

    when you don't eat whole foods, you're eating processed foods. when you eat processed foods, unless you track your intake, it's extremely easy to overeat because your stomach doesn't relay that it's full until you've stuffed an insane amount of calories in your face, and if you're doing that, you will become obese.

    it's much easier to become fat eating processed foods than whole foods unless you track your intake

    the vast majority of people do not track their intake.

    is it a direct causal relationship? no. is it a huge, huge factor? yes.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."

    when you don't eat whole foods, you're eating processed foods. when you eat processed foods, unless you track your intake, it's extremely easy to overeat because your stomach doesn't relay that it's full until you've stuffed an insane amount of calories in your face, and if you're doing that, you will become obese.

    it's much easier to become fat eating processed foods than whole foods unless you track your intake

    the vast majority of people do not track their intake.

    is it a direct causal relationship? no. is it a huge, huge factor? yes.

    Dear god.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."

    when you don't eat whole foods, you're eating processed foods. when you eat processed foods, unless you track your intake, it's extremely easy to overeat because your stomach doesn't relay that it's full until you've stuffed an insane amount of calories in your face, and if you're doing that, you will become obese.

    it's much easier to become fat eating processed foods than whole foods unless you track your intake

    the vast majority of people do not track their intake.

    is it a direct causal relationship? no. is it a huge, huge factor? yes.

    Dear god.

    agreed.
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."

    when you don't eat whole foods, you're eating processed foods. when you eat processed foods, unless you track your intake, it's extremely easy to overeat because your stomach doesn't relay that it's full until you've stuffed an insane amount of calories in your face, and if you're doing that, you will become obese.

    it's much easier to become fat eating processed foods than whole foods unless you track your intake

    the vast majority of people do not track their intake.

    is it a direct causal relationship? no. is it a huge, huge factor? yes.

    As I have said before, cut carrots ARE processed. Thus Jonnythan's position on elimination of "processed" as it is misused...
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    funny because from where I stand, the sadder thing is how many obese people there are in this country because they DON'T eat whole foods. And how many sick people there are in this country because they DO eat pesticide-laden foods.

    just me though.

    No one is obese "because they don't eat whole foods."

    when you don't eat whole foods, you're eating processed foods. when you eat processed foods, unless you track your intake, it's extremely easy to overeat because your stomach doesn't relay that it's full until you've stuffed an insane amount of calories in your face, and if you're doing that, you will become obese.

    it's much easier to become fat eating processed foods than whole foods unless you track your intake

    the vast majority of people do not track their intake.

    is it a direct causal relationship? no. is it a huge, huge factor? yes.

    As I have said before, cut carrots ARE processed. Thus Jonnythan's position on elimination of "processed" as it is misused...

    haha the problem is people like you view the world in black and white where there are actually shades of grey.

    a carrot that has been cut is far less processed than a pop tart. there is a gradient. and the less processed, the more nutritionally beneficial.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    haha the problem is people like you view the world in black and white where there are actually shades of grey.

    a carrot that has been cut is far less processed than a pop tart. there is a gradient. and the less processed, the more nutritionally beneficial.

    Anything that starts out with "the problem is people like you" . . .

    Anyway. I've noticed this being a source of friction many times in the forum. It may be helpful to specify that you're referring to "heavily processed foods" or something to denote the gradient you acknowledge.

    I think everyone here agrees that a pop tart is more heavily processed than a baby carrot.

    I further think everyone would agree that the sugars and carbs in a pop tart are so simple that it provides a very quick feeling of satisfaction which is closely followed by low blood sugar. That this dip can cause someone a sensation of hunger that induces them to eat more.

    Y'all knuckleheads AGREE, STAHP IT!