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FAQ’s - All About Oats
Is porridge good for you? Is porridge Healthy? Are oats healthy?
- Porridge has long been championed as a healthy and nutritious way to start your day. There are many reasons why oats are an excellent start to your day. Oats are a complex carbohydrate which slowly break down and are absorbed into your body. Starting your day with a bowl of porridge provides you with lasting energy to help you take on anything.
- Oat porridge made on water is a mix of carbohydrates, protein and fibre and contains no salt or sugar. Oats also contain magnesium, iron, zinc, thiamine, phosphorus as well as B vitamins.
Does porridge reduce cholesterol?
- There has been a wealth of studies to understand the benefits that oats and oat bran can have in lowering your blood cholesterol. This is due to the power of the soluble fibre beta-glucan, which reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (i.e. the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood) by binding to it in your gut and stopping it from reaching your bloodstream.
- Three grams of beta-glucan daily* can assist in lowering your LDL by between 5%-10% according to some studies. One 40g serving of Flahavan’s contains at least 1 gram of this beneficial fibre.
*as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
What time of the day should I eat oats?
- The benefits of a bowl of porridge can be experienced at any time of the day or night. Oats are a deliciously healthy ingredient, not just in porridge but also in cooking and baking. Have a look at our recipe pages to see the breads, snacks, sweet and savoury treats that can be prepared using this simple natural ingredient.
How many calories in a bowl of porridge?
- Depending on how you like to personalise your porridge, the calories in the bowl will differ. A 40g serving of Flahavan’s porridge oats made on water, with nothing added, contains approximately 148 calories. If you make your porridge with milk the calories naturally increase, as does the calcium, protein and mineral content. A 40g serving of porridge made with semi skimmed milk contains approximately 250 calories.
Is porridge gluten free?
- Oats are naturally gluten free, however during the farming, harvesting and transportation processes oats can easily become contaminated. When farmers engage in crop rotation, wheat, barley and rye, all containing gluten, may be grown in the same field as oats. Also, oats may be transported in trailers which had previously transported other grains. Flahavan’s do not process any gluten-containing grains, so any contamination occurs prior to oats being delivered to our mill. We have launched a gluten free product that is segregated from farm to pack and is certified gluten free. Click here for more information on our gluten free product.
Are oats suitable for Coeliacs?
- Until recently, the position of The Coeliac Society has been to recommend excluding oats from the gluten free diet, primarily because it had been almost impossible to source uncontaminated oats. Now that is not an issue, however a small amount of coeliacs will still react to them. If you decide to use uncontaminated oats, you should do so under medical instruction and supervision.
How do you make porridge bread?
- Porridge bread is a deliciously healthy bread recipe which contains only 3 ingredients. Click here to try Flahavan’s porridge bread recipe »
Is porridge fattening?
- Starting your day with a bowl of Flahavan’s porridge kicks starts your metabolism and you are less likely to snack mid-morning and less likely to eat past the point of fullness at lunch. Eating porridge every morning has other health benefits. It boosts energy, can help lower cholesterol (as part of a varied, balanced diet), may help prevent heart disease, helps control blood sugars and aids digestion.
What is the healthiest breakfast I can have?
- A healthy breakfast is one that contains nutritious foods that provide energy and make a person feel full, which can help prevent overeating later in the day. Porridge with fruit, nuts and/or seeds can help fulfil this need.
Is porridge a good breakfast for kids?
- Studies have shown the importance of breakfast for children, but what they eat for breakfast is crucial too. Kids who eat a healthy breakfast tend to eat healthier food for the rest of the day. We understand that giving your kids the best start and keeping them healthy is important to every parent. Kicking off the day with a healthy whole grain oaty breakfast can aid with concentration, attention span and memory.
- Children who eat a whole grain breakfast also tend to keep their weight under control.
Is it good for me to eat breakfast?
- The pros and cons of eating breakfast has been a hot topic of conversation recently – from intermittent fasting, to eating high protein or wholegrain breakfast, the debate about the best way to start your day is continuous. A spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association and specialist dietitian, Marcela Fuiza, stated that ‘Research has shown that people who eat breakfast lose weight more successfully, and keep it off, and have a reduced risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and heart disease’. However, what is most important is what you eat for breakfast, we recommend choosing a balanced breakfast that gives your body the best nourishment. Try to include a source of protein, healthy fats and of course whole grain oats. This could include oats with fruit and nut butter, oats with Greek yogurt, berries and nuts, or if you’re feeling adventurous try topping your oats with an avocado and poached egg. Click here for some recipes which will give you the best start to your day.
About Oats:
What’s Good About Oats?
Helps Lower Cholesterol
- Oats are high in soluble fibre. Beta-Glucan, the water-soluble fibre prevalent in oats has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease.
Slowly Releases Energy
- Oats are high in complex carbohydrates and fibre, which means they release energy slowly. A bowl of porridge can help provide all the energy you need until lunchtime.
Helps With Weight Management
- One of the benefits of eating oats is that your stomach stays fuller for longer, providing satiety. Soluble fibre also slows the absorption of glucose into the body, which means you are going to reduce the effects of high and low sugar peaks.
Helps Concentration
- The slow releasing complex carbohydrates in oats sustain energy levels, allowing full concentration levels to be maintained.
Helps With The Management Of Diabetes
- Eating plenty of fibre, 20g to 35g a day, can help to control your blood sugar, which is especially important if you have diabetes. The fibre in oats can keep your blood sugar from rising too quickly after you eat.
Promotes Well-Being
- Porridge is high in Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) which takes part in many of the chemical reactions in the body which contribute to normal functioning of the nervous system and the heart.
Offers Value For Money
- Oats are one of nature’s finest natural foods that not only taste good but also offer great value for money.
Why are oats so healthy?
- Oats have long been championed as a healthy and nutritious way to start your day, but also a great whole grain substitute for wheat flour in baking. Oats are one of the most versatile ingredients as they can be incorporated into tasty on the go snacks, sweet treats and nourishing porridge. There are many reasons why oats are an excellent start to your day. Oats are a nutritionally dense complex carbohydrate which slowly break down and are absorbed into your body. Starting your day with a bowl of porridge provides you with lasting energy to help you take on anything.
- Oat porridge made on water is a mix of carbohydrates, protein and fibre and contains no salt or sugar. Oats also contain magnesium, iron, zinc, thiamine, phosphorus as well as B vitamins:
- Magnesium: Important for bone formation, calcium absorption, diabetes, Heart health.
- Iron: 1 serving of oats contains around 3.4mg of iron – 19% of RDI. Iron can help to reduce fatigue, boost immunity, boost haemoglobin, improve concentration and treat anemia
- Zinc: Because your body does not naturally produce zinc, you must obtain it through food or supplements. Zinc is required for immune function, wound healing, growth and development.
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Enables the body to convert carbohydrates, fats and protein into energy. It is important for glucose metabolism, and it plays a key role in nerve, muscle and heart function.
- Phosphorus: Phosphorus works with calcium to help build bones
- B Vitamins: Play an important role in your metabolism and collectively they help your body metabolism fats, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Some B vitamins, including vitamin B-6, play a role in nerve communication in your brain. Oatmeal provides a source of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6 and B-9.
- Manganese: Essential for bone health and supports bones mineral density
- As well as providing slow release energy and keeping you fuller for longer, there has been a wealth of studies to understand the benefits that oats and oat bran can have in lowering your blood cholesterol. This is due to the power of the soluble fibre, beta-glucan, which reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, by binding to it in your gut and stopping it from reaching your bloodstream.
Are oats high in fibre?
- Oats are a great source of fibre. One cup of Flahavan’s oats (40g) will provide you with 3.3 grams of fiber. Oats contain a combination of insoluble and soluble fiber, and are unique as they contain the powerful soluble fibre beta-glucan which helps to lower cholesterol, reduce blood sugar levels, promotes healthy gut bacteria, and increases feelings of fullness and decrease the risk of diabetes, as part of a healthy diet.
Can oats cause bloating/ IBS?
- Fibre is hugely important in your diet to keep things moving and keep you regular. Every time you eat a bowl of porridge – you are fuelling your body with the fibre it needs to keep things moving through your colon and intestines. Oats have a high concentration of insoluble fibre which can promote digestive system health. To support this healthy digestive system, some experts recommend eating a least 25-30 grams of fibre daily from a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. It may cause bloating in sensitive individuals but this needs to be confirmed by a medical specialist.
Can you use oats instead of flour? How to make oat flour?
- Oats are a great replacement for flour in certain cooking and baking as they are higher in fibre and protein than other grains. Oat flour is nutritionally dense and provides slow release energy. To make oat flour you simply need to blend your oats in a food processor or Nutribullet until they are finely ground. Oat flour is best used in baked good that don’t need to rise e.g. breads, cookies, muffins and in savoury products like pancakes.
Are oats good for your skin?
- Oats for great for your skin, especially in treating inflammatory conditions – oats are excellent at alleviating itching caused by eczema, dermatitis and skin rashes.
Muesli:
Is muesli healthy to eat for breakfast?
- Muesli typically has less sugar and calories than most breakfast cereals on supermarket shelves. While it’s hard to gauge exactly how much fiber is in individual muesli because there are so many different combinations one can make, Flahavan’s Hi8 Muesli contains no added sugars, the sugars in the product are naturally occurring from the fruits. Also Hi8 is nut free so is suitable for Nut Allergies. Hi8 is high in fiber and whole grains — both of which are good for your digestive system, are filling and can help to control your weight. Fiber and whole grains can also help regulate your digestive tract.
- The addition of seeds in Hi8 Muesli provides a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Overnight Oats:
How to make overnight oats?
Breakfast is ready to enjoy straight from the fridge, thanks to this innovative product, made with only the finest locally sourced oats. All oat fans have to do is add milk, apple juice or water to the ready-mix the night before, pop it in the fridge and then enjoy it delightfully textured and chilled the following morning at home or take it to the office in sealed container to enjoy at work.
Should Overnight oats be eaten cold?
Overnight Oats can be eaten hot or cold but for a handy on the go breakfast which can be eaten straight after the gym, or at your desk cold Overnight Oats mean no need to find a microwave!
Are Overnight oats healthy?
Overnight Oats are not just handy but healthy too. They are high in fibre, a source of protein and deliciously creamy, Overnight Oats’ slow release energy will keep even the busiest of bees buzzing until lunchtime!
Can overnight oats reduce cholesterol?
- Because Overnight Oats have a high percentage of oats eating them for breakfast every morning can help reduce cholesterol. The oats in Overnight Oats contain Beta Glucan, the soluble fibre which reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, by binding to it in your gut and stopping it from reaching your bloodstream.
Oat Drinks:
What is in your oat drink?
Our Oat Drinks ingredients include Oats, Water, Salt and Sunflower Oil. The Vitamin Rich product also contains Calcium, Vitamin D, Riboflavin & Vitamin B12
What nutrients can I get from your oat drink?
The Vitamin Rich variant contains Calcium, Vitamin D, Riboflavin & Vitamin B12
· Calcium - for maintenance of normal bones and teeth(120mg 15%RI)
· Vitamin D – for maintenance of normal bones, muscles and assists in the absorption of calcium (0.75ug 15%RI)
· Riboflavin- contributes to normal function of the nervous system, skin, vision and reduction in fatigue/tiredness (0.21mg 15%RI)
· Vitamin B12 –Contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system (0.38ug 15%RI)
Is the Vitamin D used in Vitamin Rich Oat Drink suitable for Vegans?
Vitamin D is D2 (as Ergocalciferol). It derives from enzymatic fermentation and it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Why add vitamins and minerals to your Oat Drink?
We created a Vitamin Rich variant as part of our range because unfortified oat drinks are lower in calcium, and other vitamins, than dairy milk. Our Vitamin Rich Oat Drink contains added nutrients to alleviate consumers’ concerns about the lack of calcium and other nutrients in plant-based beverages.
Do your Oat Drink products contain palm oil?
No, our Oat Drinks do not contain palm oil
Does your oat drink contain gluten?
Although we only produce oat-based products we cannot give a definitive ‘100% gluten free’ declaration for our Oat Drinks as there are some instances where wheat or barley has been sown in the fields a year or two before oats and some may have come through the oat crop. Our oats are tested frequently for Gluten and in general contain <10ppm gluten but on occasion we may get a result a higher result and thus are unable to state its gluten free.
Do you use emulsifiers in your Oat Drink products?
No, we don’t use emulsifiers in our Oat Drink products.
What makes Barista Foam?
Oats are naturally high in starch, which helps with frothing, but there is also a small amount of sunflower oil added to our Barista Oat Drink, which enhances its foamability further.
What percentage of this product is from Oats?
Our Oat Drinks contain approx. 11% Oats.
Why is salt added to this product?
The small quantity of salt added is used to enhance the oaty flavour of our Oat Drinks. Interesting fact: Some oat lovers like to add a small pinch of salt to their morning porridge to enhance the Flahavan’s oat taste.
Why is sunflower oil added to your Oat Drink products?
Sunflower oil is added for mouthfeel and texture, and it also enhances the foamability of our Barista product.
How does your Oat Drink compare with other plant drinks such as soya?
Our Oat Drinks contain higher levels of the named ingredient source (11% oats in Flahavan’s Oat Drinks versus 6 - 8% Soya in Soya Drinks). We also use Irish Oats only.
If deemed “No Added Sugar” where does the g of sugar per 100g come from?
In our processing, the starch from the oats gets digested partially into sugars. Sugars are naturally present in the final product, refined sugars are not added to the process. These natural sugars from the oats give our products a subtle natural sweetness, which some consumers may find more pleasant on the palate.
Are your Oat Drinks Unsweetened?
Yes, our oat drinks are unsweetened (no added sugar). The sugar in the nutritionals is coming naturally from the oats as they are processed.
How do you make coffee with Flahavans Oat Drink?
Simply make your coffee as you would normally, to your preference - you can add any of our Oat Drinks to coffee but we suggest that you use our Barista variant if you want a nice foamy coffee. Froth the Barista Oat Drink with any milk frother/foamer and add to your coffee for delicious barista-quality coffee at home or in work.
Are your Oat Drinks Lactose free?
Yes, our oat drinks are dairy-free so do not contain lactose.
Learn More about our Oat Drink Product Range
Beta Glucan:
How much beta glucan in oats?
- Three grams of beta-glucan daily* can assist in lowering your LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the ‘bad cholesterol’). One 40g serving of Flahavan’s contains at least 1 gram of this beneficial fibre.
*as part of a diet low in saturated fatand a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
What does Beta Glucan do? What is Beta Glucan good for?
- There has been an array of studies to understand the benefits that oats and oat bran can have in lowering your blood cholesterol. This is due to the power of the soluble fibre, beta-glucan, which reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, by binding to it in your gut and stopping it from reaching your bloodstream.
How much beta glucan should I have every day?
- Three grams of beta-glucan daily* can assist in lowering your LDL
*as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of heart disease
How much beta glucan in a bowl of porridge?
- One 40g serving of Flahavan’s contains at least 1 gram of this beneficial fibre.
