Which oatmeal is better and who should give it up completely: an expert explains. Exclusive

Nutritionist and consultant Olena Yudina told us which oatmeal is the healthiest, and whether it is worth eating every day and to whom, and why we should give it up despite all its beneficial properties.

In an exclusive commentary for OBOZREVATEL, the expert revealed the main secrets of cooking healthy oatmeal and named the main reasons to give up this cereal.

Who can and cannot eat oatmeal and why?

"Not everyone can eat oatmeal, for example, if a person has a reaction to gluten, namely intolerance, then it is better to give up this product completely. Also, people with gastrointestinal problems, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, should avoid eating oatmeal," the nutritionist explained.

How often can you eat oatmeal if you have no contraindications?

"If we eat only oatmeal all the time, our body will receive only those vitamins that are contained exclusively in oatmeal, and this should not be the case. That's why you need to eat a varied diet – cook different cereals, you can alternate. For example, today you eat oatmeal for breakfast, tomorrow – buckwheat, the day after tomorrow – barley, this is enough several times a week," recommends Olena.

Why soak oatmeal before cooking?

"To begin with, it is very important to understand and distinguish between healthy and unhealthy oatmeal. Healthy oatmeal is that which is made from whole grains – cut and flattened. Given that it is made from whole grains, it will have a hull that contains phytic acid. And if you don't soak this cereal, it will bind trace elements and remove them from the body, which means that it will prevent vitamins and minerals from being absorbed. Therefore, it is imperative to soak it before cooking, preferably overnight, and cook it in the morning," the nutritionist said.

And how to cook it properly to make it healthy?

"Rinse it, drain the water, pour in clean water and leave it overnight or at least for 2 hours – it will be perfect. Rinse it well again, all the phytic acid will be released into the water, pour water and cook for about 10-15 minutes," the expert explained.