So we know that oats and oatmeal are a healthy option and make a valuable contribution to a healthy diet, but are any of these health benefits lost if you choose instant quick-cook oatmeal over traditional varieties that are less convenient and slower cooking?
The main difference between instant and traditional oatmeal is the amount of processing, with instant oatmeal being more processed in order to reduce cooking time. In terms of health benefits, this does not have too much effect and instant oatmeal is almost as healthy as traditional, except when it comes to glycemic index or GI.
As is more processed, instant oatmeal has a higher GI than traditional versions. This means that is does not keep blood sugars at a stable level for so long and produces a larger and sharper increase in blood glucose.
This may mean that some of the benefits in terms of glucose response and satiety are reduced. If time is an issue, and instant oatmeal is more convenient, you can decrease the GI of the meal by adding some low GI carbohydrate, or a source of fat or protein that will slow down absorption of the carbohydrates and therefore keep blood sugars more stable. Low fat milk, yogurt or nuts make an ideal addition.
In terms of health, it is also important to choose an instant oatmeal without additions of sugar or flavors as these often add calorie, fat and increase the GI. For a healthier option, buy natural oatmeal and flavor it yourself with fruit, a little honey or spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla.