My Easy-to-Cook Breakfast. Review on Quaker Oats

Since 2007, I live alone during the weekdays and normally my cook is not available in the morning. So, light & healthy breakfast during the weekdays is a problem. I was in search for some good and easy to cook stuff for breakfast because I do not like to take white bread(real brown bread is not easily available) & butter every day. Read somewhere about goodness of Oats and tried Quaker Oats. I could see some other brand also at Big Bazaar but decided to try a known name Quaker.

OATs is a species of cereal grain grown from its seeds. One of the most common uses is as farm animals feed. In some parts of the world oats is a feed for horses and cattle. Even used for poultry and dog/pet preparations. Oats is now popular as health food for human being only after the finding of its healthy cholesterol-lowering properties. It has soluble fibers, which is more than any other grain. The type of soluble fiber, beta-glucans, helps to lower cholesterol.

In rolled oats (not refined)or any other whole grains, beta-glucan is located primarily in the Bran. So, other whole grains also have healthy substances if Beta-glucan is protected. During the milling of the whole grain, the bran and germ are removed, leaving only the endosperm. Essentials in Bran and Germs are lost in milling process. So, refined grains do not contain all parts of the grain and contain less fiber and vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. A whole grain has three parts, thegerm, endosperm and bran. The nutrients contained in all three parts of whole grains provide maximum health benefits. In refined grains we get mostly endosperm.

Initially I purchased a refill pack of Quaker Oatsbecause I was not sure about its taste. Cost of a refill pack of 400 gms is Rs. 55/- that I consume in about 10 days(two working weeks). That’s make it very economical. I am continuing with refill pack because it is cheap. This is not very easily digestible due to soluble fibers in Quaker Oats. So until lunchtime I do not feel hungry and do not eat some junks. However, do not take only Quaker Oats breakfast. One may add some other nutritional foods like banana, honey etc to make a balanced diet. Soluble fibre reduces bad cholesterol in the blood. As per literature, a bowl of BF low in saturated fat and cholesterol, with three Gms of soluble fiber/day from oats may reduce the risk of heart disease. As per their claim, Quaker Oats provides 2 g per serving.

My recipe –

Milk – 200 ml cow’s milk+ 100 ml water(please do not laugh; I do it to make it light)

Oats – Two serving spoon

Honey – 1 table spoon

Pour oats in hot milk and keep it for 2-3 minutes on minimum fire. I add chopped banana.

You may use microwave, if you wish. Other additives are tablespoon of honey, apple slices or teaspoon of cinnamon(not yet tried). Feel free to use nuts of your choice.

Quaker is a brand of Pepsico. Fritolay, a division of Pepsico India Holdings Pvt. Ltd., launched its breakfast cereal, Quaker Oats, in India. They are working closely with farmers in Punjab, MP, Karnataka, Rajasthan etc for growing oats. Pepsico is also associated with Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute(IGFRI) of Jhansi for field research.

Other common wholegrain products are - rolled oats, hulled barley, popcorn, brown rice, whole-wheat flour, sprouted grains, brown(not artificially coloured) bread.

Common refined-grain products are - white rice, white flour, white bread, ready to eat food like pasta etc.

Friends, after knowing that misleading advertisements / propaganda of Aspartame, this time I tried to read more and research to get the right breakfast for me. Now I can recommend Quaker Oats. It is good and easy-to-cook breakfast or light meal. Use fruits to make it tasty and healthy. However, I always prefer Indian healthy breakfast if someone prepare for me.

Enjoy Healthy Life …