Health

Our porridge oats and oatmeal are 100% natural with no added sugar, salt or additives.

They have a long list of health benefits, which is why health professionals recommend them as part of a healthy diet.

Why Are Oats So Good for You?

Low fat
Oats are high in energy, but low in fat, so they are one of the best ways to start the day. An average bowl of porridge made with water is only 171 calories.

Prolonged Energy Release
Oats have a high content of complex carbohydrates and soluable fibre, which means they release their energy slowly, so after a bowl of porridge, you should find no need to snack between meals.

Wholegrain
Oatmeal and porridge oats are two of the few wholegrain foods that come out of the package as 100 percent whole grain.

'Wholegrain' refers to the entire edible part of the grain, which includes the germ, endosperm and nutrient-rich bran. Refined grains are lower in fibre and other nutrients because the bran and germ are typically removed.

Low-GI Food
Oats are a low-GI food. The lower the GI rating, the better the food is for blood sugar levels. Unlike sugary breakfast cereals, porridge doesn’t send blood sugar levels soaring, only to come crashing down an hour later. This is particularly important for people with diabetes.

Instead, foods with a low GI index, like porridge and oatmeal, help the body to keep energy levels steady, and keep the hunger pangs at bay for much longer. As such, low GI foods are great for weight loss, as they keep you feeling fuller for longer, so you’ll want to eat less.

Oats and Cholesterol
Oats can help to lower cholesterol, and may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, when taken as part of a low fat diet.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver and other cells in the body, which is used to break down and digest fat. Cholesterol also comes from dairy products, beef, poultry and seafood. When the body has more cholesterol than it needs, cholesterol levels in the blood can rise, and over time, may damage or clog the arteries.

Oats act like tiny sponges, actually soaking up cholesterol and carrying it out of the bloodstream.

Nutrition
Oats are high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, thiamine and vitamins B1 and E.

Soluble Fibre
Oats contain more soluble fibre than any other grain. Soluble Fibre is essential for healthy digestion, helping both to maintain a healthy bowl function.

Scientists have shown that soluble fibre can also help to reduce cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart when eaten as part of a low fat diet.

Coeliac Disease
We get a lot of enquiries from people with coeliac disease, asking whether they can eat oats.

Guidelines from the Coeliac Society suggest that many people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure uncontaminated oats and oat products, however many oats are grown alongside other crops like wheat, barley and rye, which can make them unsafe.

Refer to the Coeliac Society website for the latest research, and speak to your local healthcare team, GP or dietician, who can monitor you if you choose to try oats.

Oats and Diabetes
Oats are recommended for diabetics, as they have less impact on blood sugar levels than some other grains.

Folic Acid
Oats contain folic acid, which is essential for healthy foetal development.