What is the difference between porridge oats and rolled oats

In the corresponding country of origin, both types are referred to as porridge oats. Irish oats are commonly referred to as steel-cut oats. Sharp steel blades slice the oat groat , or the whole oat kernel with the fibrous hull removed, into two or three pieces. The smaller pieces expose more surface area and make it easier to cook than whole oat groats.

Scottish oats are crushed or ground. A large stone mill is used to coarsely grind the oat groats. The resulting technique produces inconsistent grain sizes. A quality manufacturer will sift out the oat flour and only package the small and medium sized granules.

The grain size is significantly finer than steel cut oats and rolled oats, therefore they cook quicker and transform into a smooth and creamy dish. Rolled oats are whole grain oat groats that have been steamed and flattened into flakes using a very heavy rolling pin. Rolled oats are also referred to as regular oats and old-fashioned oats. Steaming allows the oats to be rolled without cracking or crushing, which increases surface area and reduces cook time to just a few minutes.

The oat flakes are then dried before packing. Extended steaming allows the oats to be rolled even thinner, which further decreases the cooking time. There are thick old fashioned oats and thinner regular rolled oats.

Quick oats are thinly rolled flakes consisting of fragmented bits and pieces. Instant oats are fully cooked and rolled into a fine powder that is often used in packets of instant oatmeal cereal. When comparing porridge vs. Adding more oats to your diet could help keep your weight in check, blood sugar levels stable and help your heart stay healthy.

Oats also offer iron, thiamin, zinc, magnesium and protein. If preparation time is the deciding factor for you then you can opt for our selection of Instant or Quick Cook Oats for your morning bowl of porridge oats. Alternatively if texture is more important the delicious bite of our Jumbo Oats may be more desirable.

Visit our recipes page to find new and exciting ways to incorporate oats into your diet. Rolled Oats Rolled Oats like our famous Jumbo Organic Oats , have a milder flavour and softer texture than other varieties of oats.

Quick Oats Quick oats, like our Speedicook Porridge Oats , are rolled oats that go through further processing to decrease the cooking time.

Instant Oats Most instant oats are steamed for longer, rolled and cut even finer for a quick cooking bowl of porridge. In a study of people with type 2 diabetes, those who consumed grams of oats per day experienced significant reductions in fasting and post-meal blood sugar, compared to those who did not consume oats.

Plus, the group that ate grams of oats daily had a significantly greater decrease in body weight, which the researchers related to their high amount of beta-glucan 4. Oats are highly nutritious and have been associated with a number of health benefits. Eating them may help lower cholesterol, decrease blood sugar levels and help with weight loss.

The variety of oats on the market can make it difficult for consumers to determine the healthiest option. The chart below compares the nutritional differences between 2 ounces 56 grams of rolled, steel-cut and quick oats 5 , 6.

That said, the data available indicates that there may be some distinctions between steel-cut, rolled and quick oats.

Since steel-cut oats are the least processed of the three, they contain the most fiber — but only by a small difference. The fiber found in steel-cut oats is beneficial for digestive health, fueling the good bacteria in the intestines and promoting regular bowel movements 7 , 8.

Steel-cut oats may have a lower glycemic index than rolled or quick oats, meaning the body digests and absorbs them more slowly, leading to a slower rise in blood sugar 9. Foods with a high glycemic index cause more rapid spikes in blood sugar, while foods lower on the glycemic index provide a slower release of energy and can help stabilize blood sugar For this reason, steel cut oats may be the best choice for those looking for better control of their blood sugar.

Steel cuts oats are slightly higher in fiber than rolled and quick oats. They also have the lowest glycemic index of the three types of oats, potentially making them the best choice for blood sugar control. All three types are highly nutritious and excellent sources of fiber, plant-based protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The chewy texture and nutty flavor of steel-cut oats may be delicious to some but too hearty for others. Rolled and quick oats have a milder taste and cook down to a creamy, smooth consistency that some people prefer over steel-cut oats.

And since steel-cut oats are the least processed, they take the most time to prepare, which could be a turn off for some people. While rolled and quick oats can be prepared on the stovetop in a few minutes, steel-cut oats take up to 30 minutes to make. However, you can cook steel-cut oats ahead of time by placing them in a slow cooker, or adding them to a pot of boiling water and letting them sit overnight.

They both start the same way. First, the inedible hull of the raw oats is removed. This leaves the whole oat groats with germ, endosperm and bran attached. These parts are what contains the fibre, vitamins, healthy oils, and antioxidants that make oats so good for you.

Rolled oats are made by steaming whole oat groats then pressing them into flakes with steel rollers. This changes the texture, shortens cooking time and improves its shelf life. There are three types of rolled oats available in the supermarkets: traditional oats, quick oats and instant oats.

Traditional rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. Traditional oats are steamed for a short time and then rolled.

They still have a firm, chewy texture. Eating traditional oats generally keeps you fuller for longer, as it is less processed.