What is ground oats? - The complete guide

Oats have been a staple of the human diet for over 4,000 years, whether eaten in the form of porridge or used to make beer. That’s not to say we don’t continue to have questions about this humble grain, especially when you consider modern methods of processing, packaging, and selling.

Raw oats are small grains, similar to rice in shape, size, and general appearance. On the stem, they are protected by a shell. By removing it, the oat grains are cleaned and can be used as is. However, most commonly, they are processed to create rolled or rolled oats.

What is ground oats? Ground oats are, of course, raw ground oats of various shapes and sizes. You can steam the ground oats or use them in baking to make them easier to eat.

This article is going to answer all the questions you’ve ever had about ground oats, and probably many more.

General questions about ground oats

What are the most common cuts of oats?

Oat processing has many phases, and the most common are

• Whole Oat Kernels : These are the berries or grains that come more or less straight out of the wheat hull, after being harvested.
• Steel Cut Oats – To make the oats cook faster and be a bit easier to digest, steel cut oats are cut into 2-3 pieces with very sharp steel blades.
• Ground oats – Also sometimes called “white oats”, “ground oats”, and sometimes even “Scottish oats”, these grains have been stone ground or crushed rather than cut, leaving the chunks uneven and more varied. Depending on how long the oats are ground, you may end up with a creamy porridge or a powder.
• Rolled Oats – When husked oat grains are steamed, they can be flattened by rolling them. They cook much faster this way, partly because they have already been steamed and partly because they are much finer, so they take less time to fully cook.
  • The thinner rolled oats that are steamed longer are called quick rolled oats or instant oats.
• Oatmeal – When oats are ground into a powder, they are considered flour. A commercial processor can make oatmeal directly from the whole grain; however, you can make oatmeal using a standard food processor and rolled oats.

Are oats a grain?

Yes, oats are a grain. The most common edible grains are cereal grains or legumes, although today legumes are often considered a category of their own. Cereal grains are the seeds of grasses like wheat, oats, corn, barley, rice, and a few others.

Is ground oats the same as oatmeal?

Yes and no.

You can find rolled oats in chunks, called ground oats. This is quite popular in Scotland, which is why it is often sold under the name “Scottish oats”.

However, it is not the most efficient way to process it, so they are not very common. Oatmeal is made by blending or processing oats, or as it is more commonly said, grinding them in a food processor. If you move the oats enough, you will get oatmeal.

If you’re following a porridge recipe, you’ll most likely be looking for pieces of ground oats, whereas if you’re baking, the recipe will likely call for oatmeal.

What is the best brand of oats?

In the US, Quaker brand oats are the most popular, although brands like Bob’s Red Mill, Nature’s Path, or 365 Everyday Value (all of which you can find on Amazon) are also very popular and arguably more caring. for quality, especially with regard to the creation of organic options with guarantees on the quality of production.

Ground oat nutrition

Are oats a carbohydrate?

Oats contain a lot of carbohydrates, yes. As a whole grain, they’re also a great source of fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate, and they’re sugar-free. They also have protein and a bit of fat. In a 100g serving of raw oats, you will find

• 390 calories
• 7g fat
• 66 g of carbohydrates, of which almost 11 g are fiber
• 17g protein

Are oats fattening?

Oats by themselves are generally considered to be a great addition to a balanced eating plan, really helping you maintain a healthy weight and control hunger and appetite.

However, processed and conveniently packaged oat products are not nearly as healthy. Oats are often coated in processed and refined sugars, additives, and other ingredients that can lead to weight gain and generally unhealthy eating habits.

If you want to avoid weight gain, opt for oats that are 100% oats and pay attention to portion sizes.

Are oats wheat or gluten free?

Oats are not wheat and are a gluten-free cereal. If you’re celiac or gluten intolerant, ground oatmeal can be a great way to enjoy baked goods that are traditionally made with wheat.

Unfortunately, oats are often processed in facilities that also process wheat products, so if you’re very sensitive, it’s important to look for the “gluten-free” label or a notation that says the oats are made in a gluten-free facility to avoid cross contamination.

Is oatmeal healthy?

Yes, oatmeal is considered a very healthy flour option. It has more protein, fiber, and nutrients than regular all-purpose flour, and it’s also lower in carbs and naturally gluten-free.

Ground oatmeal has essentially the same nutrition as whole grain oats, making it a good source of important minerals like manganese, copper, iron, zinc, selenium, and magnesium.

Can oats cause gas, bloating or constipation?

If you are not used to high fiber foods and start eating a large amount of oatmeal every day, it can cause some digestive discomfort until your body gets used to it.

If you’re not used to eating vegetables or whole grains, start with small portions and give your gut bacteria time to adjust. You can also try digestive enzymes.

Ground oats for babies: is it safe?

Oatmeal is usually one of the first foods introduced to babies around 6 months. To make oats as safe as possible for your baby, choose organic products and grind the oats into a fine powder to reduce the risk of choking. Just add water and blend until smooth and naturally creamy.

Can ground oats be used for skin care?

Using oats in a natural skincare routine is a great way to reduce oiliness and maximize hydration. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power can help improve skin tone and even acne.

You can put some oatmeal in a gauze pack and add it to a warm bath, or you can create a paste of ground oats to use as a mask.

oats and diet

Are Ground Oats Keto Friendly?

No. Oats are almost 70% carbs and a small serving would soak up your entire daily carb allotment and probably more.

Are oats paleo?

No, the paleo diet does not allow grains, and oats are certainly a grain.

Are oats vegan?

Yes, oats are totally vegetable and therefore suitable for vegans.

Are oats good for diabetics?

The soluble fiber in oats has been found to help regulate glucose and insulin activity, so adding whole grain oat products to a well-balanced eating plan may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. 2.

However, for oatmeal to be effective, you need to be aware of what you eat with it. Adding sugar, milk, and other ingredients will instantly counteract any benefits the whole grain may have.

How to use ground oats

Here are several ways to use ground oats in your daily eating routine.

How is ground oatmeal made?

Making oatmeal is as easy as adding the oats to a food mill and blending them into a fine powder. Depending on the power of your processor, you may want to use rolled oats to save yourself the blades.

However, if you have a high-end blender or food processor, using steel-cut or whole-grain oats can lock in a bit more nutrition, since they haven’t been cooked at all.

How do you cook ground oats?

If making Scottish Oats, add the ground oats to the boiling water at a ratio of ¼ cup oats to ¾ cup water per serving. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes before serving with your favorite milk, spices, fruit, nuts, or other garnishes.

If you bake with ground oat flour instead of regular wheat flour, you may run into a bit of a problem. Oat flour is naturally gluten-free, which means it doesn’t have the elasticity and rising ability that you’ll get with wheat flour.

Depending on your recipe, you may need to add more yeast or work with a stabilizer like xanthan gum. You may also need to add more flour. If you’re new to baking, it’s best to stick to recipes that specifically call for oatmeal.

How to make overnight oats with ground oats?

Most overnight oatmeal recipes call for steel-cut oats, but that doesn’t mean you can make this easy breakfast dish with ground oats. Instead of getting a chewy bite, you’ll just end up with a creamier, smoother breakfast bowl.

If you’re using Scottish oats, you can make them according to any overnight oats recipe, using a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats, a pinch of salt, and your favorite ingredients.

If you want to use ground oatmeal, it’s best to add the filling in the morning. Before eating it, stir the oats well and you will find a consistency more similar to that of cream of wheat, which is delicious, smooth and creamy.

Can you eat raw ground oats?

If possible. If you’re working with rolled oats, it will be tastier to soak them first, but ground oatmeal can be mixed with milk and eaten (or drunk, depending on the amount of milk) like cold porridge.