Oats: is it oatmeal or not, what is the difference and consumption rates of cereals and cereals
Oatmeal, oatmeal, oatmeal - at the mention of this product, many imagine flakes that easily dissolve (soften) under the influence of water or milk. But for some consumers, the question is of interest, is oats and hercules - is it oatmeal or are there fundamental differences between these concepts? You can understand this only if you know how raw materials are obtained for preparing a favorite dish among connoisseurs of he althy food.
Oats is oatmeal or not?
Oats are whole grains used in cooking or in the popular cereal derivative. Oatmeal in the conventional sense is a ready-made porridge, and the name of this dish is considered "folk". In cooking, it is called oatmeal.
Therefore, oats and oatmeal have fundamental differences in their meaning. However, they mean one kind of culture.
Composition of oats and cereals based on it
Whole oatmeal is a storehouse of vitamins. Its composition is generously enriched:
- thiamine;
- retinol;
- beta-carotene;
- vanadium;
- boron;
- chrome;
- choline;
- riboflavin;
- vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid);
- pyridoxine;
- folic acid;
- tocopherol;
- biotin;
- vitamin PP;
- iodine;
- iron;
- cob alt;
- manganese;
- copper;
- selenium;
- fluorine;
- zinc.
The composition of hercules, as a derivative product obtained by processing oats, is practically no different from whole cereals. During the flaking process, the product loses only a few nutrients, including:
- beta-carotene;
- retinol;
- choline;
- vanadium;
- boron;
- selenium;
- chrome.
Also, the caloric value of products varies. So, whole oats have an energy value of 342 kcal/100 grams, oats - 352 kcal/100 grams.
What is the difference between oats, oatmeal and rolled oats?
There is a difference between oats, oatmeal and rolled oats. To understand it, you need to know the subtleties of production and the main features of each type of product.
Oats
Oats are a whole raw material that is used to make cereals. By itself, it is not used for cooking, because it contains a lot of third-party impurities, chaff, litter. In addition, the grains are too dense, hard. That is, the agricultural crop itself, grown by farmers and used to make cereals or cereals, is called oats.
Hercules
Hercules is the well-known commercial name for plain oatmeal, made by processing oatmeal, not grain (as some customers mistakenly believe). Before obtaining the final product, raw materials go through several stages:
- sorting, preparation of cereals;
- steaming at high temperatures for 2-3 minutes;
- grinding;
- being in conditions of high humidity for 25-30 minutes;
- flattening grains;
- screening;
- cooling;
- drying.
The very last stage is packing by packages.
It should be borne in mind that not all oatmeal can be called "hercules", but only those that are of the highest grade. They require a longer boil time of 10 minutes.
Product belonging to the second grade, conventionally referred to as petal flakes.They need to cook half as much - only 5 minutes. Finally, the product of the lowest grade, which has the prefix "extra", does not require cooking at all. It is enough to pour it with boiling water or milk, and then leave it to insist under the lid for a few minutes.
Oatmeal
Consumers use this term to refer to a ready-made dish. And it does not matter at all what raw material it is made of - cereals or flakes.
However, this opinion is not shared by professional farmers. The difference between oatmeal and oatmeal is that the latter is a type of oatmeal. And not simple, but prepared according to a special algorithm.
Cooking consists of the following steps:
- cleaning;
- steam for 1 minute;
- sort;
- drying;
- packing and packaging.
With the help of the above processes, a rather hard cereal is obtained, which in its color and shape resembles whole grains. Such raw materials are suitable for cooking, however, heat treatment for this type of product requires quite a long time. However, this variety of oatmeal is the most useful, as it retains the most valuable vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.
Consumption rate
Oatmeal or cereal can be eaten daily. Nutritionists recommend starting the morning with this product, because porridge is the best for breakfast. In addition, ground cereal is added to protein drinks and smoothies, which are also good for the body.
But you can use them only if there are no contraindications:
- celiac disease (gluten intolerance);
- allergies to cereal or cereal ingredients;
- hyperthyroidism;
- excess iodine in the body;
- osteoporosis;
- hyperparathyroidism.
The consumption rate of oat products is 50-100 g per day (this is for dry raw materials, not ready meals). This is quite enough to supply the body with the necessary energy, nutrients and vitamin-mineral complex.
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