Which is healthier...

amjon

Porridge oats or ready brek? Initially most people would probally say that porridge oats were as they aren't as processed ect but I was reading the back of the ready brek box and it seems it is fortified with alot of nutrient such as iron and niacin. So I was wondering which is better for you?

Mellor

Ready brek isn't actually that processed. It's made up of 60% rolled oats, and oat flour (both wholegrain). The added iron and niacin etc is a tiny tiny amount.

Ready brek is slightly lower in calories (17 cals per 100), plus added iron etc
Oats are lower in carbs (2g per 100g so its not huge), and higher in protein (1g per 100g)

So all in all, I'd say there is nothing between them, as long as;
a. You eat the same in terms of weight, and
b. You make both the same, water or milk etc

El_Dangeroso

FYI the niacin and iron are unabsorbable due to the phytic acid in oats that binds to them.

Greenmachine

Porridge for the win. Causes less of an insulin spike.

Mellor

Greenmachine wrote: »

Porridge for the win. Causes less of an insulin spike.

Why?

callig

I'd say they're pretty similar - just marketed at different target audiences. Ready brek may digest more quickly than unrefined oats but to be honest the difference is marginal, especially if you're eating every couple of hours.

rubadub

Mellor wrote: »

Why?

I think because it contains some fully floured oats. I have heard the pinhead oats that take a longer time to cook again would have lower GI than regular oats.

Dunno how true this is just found it.
http://ginews.blogspot.com/2005/11/low-gi-food-of-month.html

The GI value for porridge has been tested on a number of occasions and the published values range from 42 (for rolled oats made with water) to 82 (for instant oats).

Traditional rolled oats are hulled, steamed and flattened, which makes them a wholegrain cereal. The additional flaking to produce quick cooking or ‘instant’ oats not only speeds up cooking time, it increases the rate of digestion and the GI. This is why traditional rolled oats are preferred over instant in the low GI diet.

Somebody else mentioned fruit smoothies having their fibre affected by liquidising them, it could be this which is efffecting it. The grams of fibre might be the same but it might not be as "good" in some way. Somebody else might have more info on this.

Greenmachine

Mellor wrote: »

Why?

Glycemic Index and Glycemic load. Nothing inheritantly wrong with ready brek of course. It is just has more simple carbs than the porridge. Plus porridge is cheaper.

amjon

Thanks for all the replies.