Should I buy organic oats

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Are oats healthy?

Oats are the edible seeds in oat grass, which is also known as Avena sativa. They are a grain, but they seem to have escaped the negative reputation of other grains, such as wheat. In fact, the FDA allows companies to add a label on oat-containing products that says reduces the risk of heart disease because oats known health benefits of the cardiovascular system. Oats are loaded with nutrients like fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely anti-inflammatory. Oats are also a good source of protein; in fact, they have more protein than other grains and cereal grains thanks to their content of amino acids lysine and threonine. (1) Oats are also high in aventhramides, a type of antioxidiant that has been shown to reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure. (2) Pretty impressive, isnt it?

But thats not where the benefits of oats end, either. Oats can also:

1. Promote healthy blood sugar.

Oats are rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which explains why oats become slightly gel-like when theyre cooked or left in water. Beta-glucan fiber has been associated with reduced blood sugar and oat consumption has been linked to better insulin sensitivity. (3)

2. Help you feel satiated.

Ever made it halfway through a bowl of oatmeal and been unable to take another bite? Thats thanks to the nutrient-dense nature of oats and those beta-glucans we just learned about. Studies have shown that beta-glucan fiber can create increased feelings of fullness (4), which means oats are a great choice if youre trying to watch your portions or shed a few pounds.

3. Improve gut health.

If you suffer from occasional constipation, incorporating oats into your diet may help. This benefit is also thanks to that magical soluble beta-glucan fiber; this type of fiber helps water remain in the digestive tract so that stools can move more quickly and are easier to pass. In fact, oat bran fiber is often used as a preventative measure for constipation. (5) Studies have also shown that the breakdown and fermentation of oat fiber can increase the diversity of gut microbiome. (6)

Are oats gluten-free?

If youre shopping for oats, you might notice that some oats are labeled gluten-free and others arent. Why is that? Are oats gluten-free, or not? Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains like rye and barley. But its not found in all grains! In fact, rice, buckwheat, corn, and oats are grains that are naturally gluten-free. The reason why some products are labeled gluten-free is more of an issue of possible contamination. Some facilities make both gluten-containing products as well as oats and theres a possibility some gluten will end up in the oats. This might not be a problem if you are mildly sensitive to gluten but for those with celiac disease, even a tiny bit of gluten can have serious consequences. If you have a serious gluten intolerance of celiac, make sure to only buy oats that have the FDAs Gluten Free stamp, which guarantees that there are less than 19 parts per million of gluten.

Should you soak oats before you eat them?

Oats, along with nuts, seeds, and beans, can contain phytic acids, a compound that is known as an anti-nutrient. Anti-nutrients are ingredients that can sabotage the absorption of other nutrients and in the case of phytic acid, it can bind to minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium so they cant be absorbed very well, leading to deficiencies. (7) The good news is that theres a simple fix that can reduce the phytic acid in the oats you eat. Its called soaking. Soaking your oats in water overnight can help break down the phytic acid, unlocking their full nutrient potential and making them easier on your gut. To soak oats, just add them to a mason jar or another glass container, add filtered water until they are fully submerged, and leave them overnight. Then, you can dry them out in the oven on low heat and use them just as you normally would.

Should you buy organic oats?

If youre going to incorporate oats into your diet, theres one last question to answer and that is: Should you buy organic? Some foods are more important to buy organic than others and oats are one of them! Why? Because many conventionally-grown oats are contaminated with glyphosate, the main chemical found in Roundup. If youve never heard of Roundup, it should be on your radar. The WHOs International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled it as probably carcinogenic to humans and a recent lawsuit in California awarded $289 million in damages to a groundskeeper whose attorney argued that Roundup directly caused his terminal cancer. In an independent Environmental Working Group investigation, glyphosate was detected in 43 out of 45 oat products tested. Even more, about 75% of them had levels that were high enough to be cause for concern, according to the standards set forth by the EWG. The good news is that they also tested organic products and while one-third of the 16 products also had glyphosate, the levels were extremely low, which means that buying gluten-free oats can protect you from potential chemical exposure.

Overall, oats are a pretty solid healthy carbohydrate that most of us can easily incorporate into our diets. To maximize the health benefits of oats, I recommend buying groats or steel-cut oats; these types of oats take longer to digest so they have a lower glycemic index than instant oats or rolled oats. Also, always make sure there is no added sugar in your oatmeal. Instead, you can add a drizzle of honey or some fruit to sweeten things up.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

Photo: unsplash.com

Best Organic Oatmeal Brands

Buying the best organic oatmeal brands is like fishing in the dark, as hundreds of brands claim to be the top choice. But only the healthiest oatmeal brand stands true to its promise and provides the best nutrition.

Besides, organic and conventional oats are on the same page regarding nutrient profile and benefits. However, organic oatmeal is safer because it is not produced with chemical pesticides or fertilizers. So lets check what rolled oats brands that are the best.

Reasons Why Oatmeal Is The Healthiest Breakfast

Here are six good reasons to eat oatmeal every day.

Improve tummy health: Just like organic pancake mix, oats are full of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood glucose levels. Whereas the insoluble fiber helps curtail constipation and improve tummy health.
Heart and colon-friendly: Oats contain Avenanthramides, an antioxidant known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-itching activity. It also provides additional protection against coronary heart disease and colon cancer.
A balanced breakfast: A cup of cooked oatmeal contains about 150 calories, four grams of fiber, and six grams of protein. When swirled with almond butter or milk, oatmeal makes a great breakfast so that you can forget those mid-morning visits to the vending machine.
Full Of vitamins and minerals: Oatmeal contains thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron, and more.
Gluten-free: Oatmeal is an ideal breakfast for gluten-intolerant people. Oats are naturally gluten-free
Aids in weight management: Oats can keep you feeling fuller longer, helping you manage the extra pounds. As with any other food, have an eye on portion sizes.

Organic Oats vs Regular Oats

Best organic oats are made from certified organic whole grains, i.e., grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers (Organic certification allows a restricted list of pesticides derived from plant sources or pure chemicals like copper or sulfur sprays). Organic oats are also grown crop rotation or may involve green manure fertilizers and natural pest control methods. Additionally, organic oatmeal is non-GMO.

Regular oatmeal is made from oats grown with legally allowed pesticides and fertilizers the farmers choose, which may be GMO.

Another critical difference is the price. Organically grown oats are expensive, yet they are the best oatmeal. Both types can be used as cereals, baked goods, energy bars, and granola.

Choosing The Healthiest Organic Oatmeal Brands

Whole grains are the best: Look for specific terms like instant oats or whole-grain rolled oats to be listed as the key ingredient. This ensures that you will receive plenty of health benefits.
Look for fiber: Choosing low-calorie oatmeal brands with at least 3 grams of fiber is what we highly recommend. The fiber will help you feel fuller longer and keep your blood sugar level stable.
Look (out) for sugar: The dark side of conventional oatmeal brands lies in the amount of added sugar in them. So, choose an unsweetened, organic one; add berries, honey, or cinnamon to the morning bowl of oatmeal.
Look (out) for sodium. Many instant oatmeal brands contain sodium (for enhancing flavor and preservative purposes). Choose organic oatmeals or natural instant oatmeals that contain less than 200 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Trending Organic Oatmeal

Just watch how easy it is to prepare with this tasty organic oatmeal. This fresh organic oatmeal is trending on Instagram with many excellent reviews. It offers a fast solution for those in a rush and keeps them full until it lunchtime. Here is a Link to buy from Amazon.

Reviews: Best Organic Oatmeal

Do you want to know the best oatmeal brands to help you start your day? Here are our top 5 picks. Please dont settle for less when it comes to your breakfast! Besides, wed like to inform you that this page includes affiliate links.

Reviewed by: Esther Max Score: 96.75

This instant oatmeal from Bobs Red Mill contains organic rolled oats, natural cane sugar, and organic cinnamon. It doesnt contain artificial flavors used by other oatmeal brands.
This organic oatmeal is gluten-free, safe, and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
With this organic oatmeal, you can guarantee its not sprayed with any fungicides or pesticides and is not genetically engineered.
High in nutrients, it pulls three grams of fiber and protein per serving, perfect for a healthy diet.

Rating Category	Weight %	Score
Gluten-Free	30%	100
Nutrients	25%	100
Packaging	25%	95
Price	20%	90
Total Score	100%	96.75

Natures Path is one of the healthiest oatmeal brands to buy, and for a good reason, its delicious and creamy.
Made from organic rolled oats, it packs of full nutrients needed to keep you going: 190 calories, 3g fat, 34g carbs, 6g fiber, and 8g protein.
Best of all, it has zero cholesterol, giving you a healthy weight loss and a reduced risk of heart disease.
It comes with a gluten-free whole grain, giving you many health benefits to energize your body.

Rating Category	Weight %	Score
Gluten-Free	30%	100
Nutrients	25%	95
Packaging	25%	95
Price	20%	90
Total Score	100%	95.5

Great River Milling organic steel-cut oats are great when youre in a hurry. Add frozen fruit, raisins, or berries to the oatmeal bowl for options.
Moreover, this isnt the regular rolled oats! It has a nuttier and chewier texture than regular rolled oats; it has a toasty look.
This organic oatmeal has 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for each serving, which is more nutritious to get.
It is whole grain oats with nutritious goodies and health benefits like protein, fiber, antioxidants, and B vitamins.

Rating Category	Weight %	Score
Gluten-Free	30%	100
Nutrients	25%	95
Packaging	25%	90
Price	20%	90
Total Score	100%	94.25

Made from kilned, whole groats processed by steaming and flaking, Kauffmans Fruit Farm oat flakes are proof that you can get a delightful bowl of goodness with zero sugar, cholesterol, and sodium.
Nutritional Info: Each serving of this oatmeal provides 110 calories, zero milligrams of sodium, three grams of fiber, and four grams of protein.
Add a tablespoon of almond butter, a handful of cut berries, and some toasted sliced almonds. The almonds will pump up both protein and fiber even more, and youll get a satisfying breakfast.
Not only is this oatmeal non-GMO, but it is organic, too. And, therefore, the best oatmeal to buy.

Do you like trying low-calorie oatmeal brands? Then Royal Lee Organics Organic Gluten-Free Oat Groats is the perfect packet for you.
That means it is neither cut nor rolled like most oatmeal brands. You can grind it into flour or cook it and eat it as a rice substitute the choice is yours!
The grains of USDA Organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO, come in high-pressure vacuum-sealed packages.
You can also feel right about this one because theres no added sodium or sugars. Plus, it gives 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of dietary fiber, making it an excellent food choice for your family.

You can make a hearty and healthy breakfast in under two minutes with these Great River Organic Milling oats.
The oats have organic whole grain rolled into oats for quick cooking to be meal-ready.
They contain a high amount of fiber to improve the health of your digestive and circulatory systems.
Moreover, the oats from this healthiest oatmeal brand are ground at cool temperatures to maintain enzyme activity and protein levels.

Get the GF Harvest steel cut organic oats roasted and steamed to have a longer shelf life.
They cook evenly in a few minutes to give you a healthy and hearty meal for breakfast.
The oats are 100 whole-grain without contamination of other allergy-causing ingredients to be safe for people with allergies.
Each oatmeal batch goes through rigorous testing for 5PPM gluten content to trust the brands authenticity.

The Earnest Eats oats have a delicious maple flavor to make your morning breakfast exciting and nutritious.
It has the goodness of protein-rich whey and probiotics to be easy on your stomach throughout the day.
With this organic superfood addition to your breakfast, you will feel a higher level of energy and attentiveness.
Additionally, the oats have Quinoa and puffed Amaranth in the mix to make them rich in flavonoids and antioxidants.

You can consider the plant-based Be Still Farms oatmeal, which is low in carbs for calorie-conscious people.
The oats are low in cholesterol and have polyphenols, antioxidants, Avenanthramides, anti-inflammatories, and beta-glucan.
Your gut health and digestive system will function better with the oats high fiber content.
It comes in eco-friendly packaging that you can recycle to reduce the environmental carbon footprint.

This is a 24-ounce pack of 100% Whole grains that are USDA Certified Organic.
One of the healthiest oatmeal brands is rich in fiber and low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
These oats pair well with fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and cinnamon.
It is Non-GMO Project Verified and does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.