Oatmeal Water for Weight Loss
Oatmeal water is a mixture of two liters of water and oats. Some people add extra flavor, such as a cinnamon stick. Oatmeal water is a part of many weight-loss diets thanks to its ability to keep dieters full and help them trim their bodies.
The beta-glucans found in oats have special properties that can help the body and even prevent it from developing certain diseases.
However, drinking oatmeal water avidly isn’t the same as eating oatmeal. The first problem that we often find with oatmeal water is that there’s usually a sweetener involved. Without sugar or substitutes, oatmeal water doesn’t have the most appetizing taste. Consequently, many recipes recommend adding a teaspoon of honey.
As a result, the drink becomes a sugary product that sets off insulin levels and could cause other problems in the long-term. Consuming simple sugars can throw off blood sugar levels and is essentially the same as drinking a sugary soft drink.
There’s no such thing as a food product that helps you lose weight
As much as companies want to sell the idea that their food products can help you lose weight, there’s no food product that can directly cause weight loss. While some substances, such as caffeine, can stimulate lipolysis in certain quantities, they aren’t miracle-workers.
Weight loss is a mathematical formula: consuming fewer calories than the expenditure. However, you can follow certain strategies to eat less; one of them is consuming foods and drinks that keep you full.
For example, drinking a glass of water before each meal can help you feel fuller faster. And you don’t need to add oatmeal either.
Oatmeal water: keeps you full
Thanks to its high fiber content, oatmeal is a filling food option. Eating it regularly for breakfast can improve your overall health as well as keep blood sugar levels and lipid profile under control. However, the amount of oatmeal that recipes call for to make oatmeal water isn’t enough to offer real benefits.
But that doesn’t mean that oatmeal water is a poor product. If it doesn’t have any sweeteners, it could be a great option if you enjoy the taste. But it won’t keep you fuller longer than a glass of water does.
If you’re looking for a drink that actually has real health benefits, consider one that has a high level of antioxidants. You can make them with berries without any sweeteners. Coconut water can also be another healthy option.
Foods that can keep you full
Any food source with high fiber content can help keep hunger at bay. Unlike sugary foods that cause insulin and high blood sugar spikes, fiber-rich foods or complex carbs reduce appetite and keep blood sugar levels stable.
Thus, including enough fiber in your diet is imperative. Not to mention, fiber can stimulate gut flora as well as prevent certain complicated diseases such as diabetes.
However, in order to enjoy the benefits that fiber has to offer, you need more than a liter or two of oatmeal water. Instead, fixing a bowl of oatmeal or porridge for breakfast will give your body the fiber it needs.
Wrapping up our thoughts on oatmeal water
Just as we explained above, there’s no such thing as foods that directly cause weight loss. And oatmeal water is no exception. While it can help you feel full, it’s not effective enough to be considered an actual recommendation.
Don’t let the marketing fool you and never forget that weight-loss boils down to a simple equation. The equation solely depends on the unchangeable laws of thermodynamics; you need to consume fewer calories than you expend to lose weight.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Schuster J., Benincá G., Vitorazzi R., Morelo dal Bosco S., Effects of oats on lipid profile, insulin resistance and weight loss. Nutr Hosp, 2015. 32 (5): 2111-6.
- Rebello C., Greenway FL., Dhurandhar NV., Functional foods to promote weight loss and satiety. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 2014. 17 (6): 596-604.