This, in turn, … Because steel cut oats are in more of a ‘whole form’, they tend to be a bit lower on the glycemic index (meaning how much they cause a spike in blood sugar), because it takes your body longer to digest and get to the actual starch. Rolled oats’ creamy soft texture after being cooked makes them equally as suitable for oatmeal as they are for baking. All type of oats – rolled, quick and steel cut oats have well-balanced nutritional value in them. The real difference is in how, and how much they are processed. Steel cut oats, on the other hand, are just thickly chopped oat kernels. Steel cut oats, also known as Irish oats, are oat groats that are cut into two or three pieces with large steel blades. More specifically, the oats are steamed multiple times, rolled, and then toasted. Steel cut are less processed so they have more fiber and a lower Glycemic Index. They're quicker and easier to prepare than steel cut (also known as Irish) oats. This can lead to better heart health, better stabilized blood sugar, and better digestive health. The difference in different varieties of oats is in the dietry fiber they contain and density. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They take longer to cook than rolled oats, but are very good when made. However, they are equivalent to rolled oats in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content. (Old fashioned oats are rolled a tad thinner than whole oats.) Both steel-cut and rolled oats are relatively slow to raise blood sugar and therefore classified as low in glycemic index (GI), an estimate of how a carbohydrate food affects blood sugar. Steel cut oats have a lower glycemic index than rolled oats It takes longer for our bodies to digest steel cut oats because they're thicker than rolled oats, making it harder for digestive enzymes in the body to reach the starch in steel cut oats. Join Keri Glassman and start living your Nutritious Life™ today! Originally Answered: Are steel cut oats better for you than rolled oats? They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins. This processing leaves the oats as thin flakes. Ultimately, your choice to enjoy steel cut oats over rolled oats should be based strictly on personal preference! They still include both the germ (where the healthy, unsaturated fat lives) and the endosperm (where all of that gut happy fiber and protein lies). It takes longer for our bodies to digest steel cut oats, Here's the difference between ice cream and gelato. Craving a hearty breakfast for the cold winter months? Steel Cut Oats are nuttier and chewier than rolled or instant oats and are known to provide the best overall flavour profile. Looking for smart ways to get more from life? Have you ever wondered how Jennifer Aniston and Gisele Bündchen got their toned bods (well, other than discipline!)? They’re also both high in B and E vitamins. You’ll find that there are very few major differences between steel-cut oats and rolled. Are Steel Cut Oats Healthier Than Rolled Oats? Cook up your half cup of steel cut oats for breakfast, and you’ve got a fiber packed, slowly digesting meal that will keep you full and energized until lunch (better than quicker digesting rolled oats do). Precooked ‘instant’ oats are the thinnest and most processed, as they are the traditional “Old Fashioned” oats cut into even smaller pieces to allow for quick and easy cook time. Foods that rank higher on the glycemic index are more likely to trigger more hunger in the eater. They won't spike your blood sugar as much as rolled oats. Waving goodbye to last year's unhealthy eating pat, In the mood for some Monday matcha? The amount of calories is less in steel-cut oatmeal. Steel cut oats are the texture of a grain like rice or barley, so they require much more cooking than rolled oats. Though processed, rolled oats are still a whole grain. They are much higher in soluble fiber than instant oats, which have been cut and steamed, and often have additives like sugars and dried fruits added to them. Let’s start with the basics. Live Consciously, Nurture Yourself, Sweat Often. Compare these to the completely different “extra thick” rolled oats, and you’ve got an extremely versatile whole grain with a multitude of uses. It’s true: Not all oats are created equal. But there are many different kinds of oats, and not all oats are made equal. Don’t worry though, rolled oats are still a good option too. Often referred to as Irish oats, these are the least processed oat cereal. This also means that it takes longer for our bodies to convert steel cut oats into sugar. Traditional oatmeal is referred to as rolled oats, because the whole-grain oats are softened by steam and flattened on rollers to form flakes. Normally oats contain 7% fat, 11% fiber, 17% protein and 66% carbohydrate. You’ll read steel cut are filled with fiber, metabolism-boosting folate, and muscle-friendly phosphorous, but does that ring true for rolled and instant? The biggest difference is the taste and texture, as well as cooking times. Several of you have written with questions about oats and oatmeal—in particular, whether steel-cut (or Irish) oats are healthier or more nutritious than regular oats. The cooking time for steel-cut oats is 20 to 40 minutes, compared to 10 minutes for rolled oats and 45 to 60 minutes for oat groats. Both are whole grains, which are good for your heart and overall health. Quick cooking oats are often much more convenient, and they are just a bit lower on the glycemic index, but again are … They look like chopped-up rice, take the longest to cook, and deceive a slightly chewy consistency. Therefore, steel cut oats don't cause as much of an increase in blood sugar after they're eaten. Steel cut oats: Also a THI favoured oat! Because these oats aren’t processed by steaming or rolling, they take longer to cook than rolled oats, thus having a chewier, nuttier, and more toothsome texture. Rolled oats cook faster than steel-cut oats, absorb more liquid, and hold their shape relatively well during cooking. Steel-cut oats are basically whole oat groats cut up into smaller pieces by a steel blade, somewhat resembling chopped-up rice. What’s the Difference: in nutritional value? since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. 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