If you live a busy lifestyle and love prepping food ahead of time, youve probably heard of overnight oats. A simple and nutritious meal, overnight oats are oats combined with a liquid like water or milk and additional ingredients like fruit, nuts and spices and then refrigerated overnight. Moreover, overnight oats can be prepped in minutes and enjoyed as an on-the-go morning meal.
If you want to make overnight oats and wonder about the health benefits, were here to help. Though similar to a regular bowl of oatmeal, overnight oats and oatmeal do have their differences. Continue reading to discover the difference between these two meals and if overnight oats live up to all the hype.
The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it’s almost like you’re cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it’s done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.
Pros and Cons of Overnight Oats and Oatmeal
Overnight oats are the more nutritious option, but that doesnt mean that this meal is for everyone. Review the pros and cons of overnight oats vs. oatmeal and decide which best suits your nutritional and lifestyle needs.
Overnight oats are an excellent option for busy mornings. Because you make this meal the night before, you can consume it in the morning without preparation.
The low levels of phytic acid in overnight oats may help your body better absorb their nutrients.
When making overnight oats, no heating or cooking is required. Instead, all ingredients are added to the same container as the oats and liquid and left to soak overnight.
Overnight oats are as easy to transport as they are to prepare. Because theyre chilled, overnight oats can be made in a jar or container and taken with you as an on-the-go breakfast.
Because overnight oats dont require cooking, they can be prepared and enjoyed from the same container, leaving you with fewer dishes to wash.
When making overnight oats, several liquids are used—water, yogurt and milk are excellent options. Overnight oats can also be prepared a few days in advance, allowing you to plan for the week ahead.
Many people prefer a warm breakfast when they wake up. However, because overnight oats are refrigerated and enjoyed as-is, theyre not the preferred breakfast for chilly winter mornings. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: heat them on the stove or in the microwave.
If you enjoy traditional oatmeal regularly, youll quickly notice that the texture of overnight oats is a bit different. Although most people like it just the same, some individuals prefer cooked oatmeal instead.
Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods.
Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Oats nutty flavor changes slightly when cooked. As a result, oatmeal often provides a heartier taste and texture.
The warm and filling nature of a freshly cooked bowl of oatmeal is bound to provide comfort on a cold morning.
Overnight oats are simple to prep. However, they do require a bit of soaking time before you can enjoy them. If your oat cravings are immediate, then oatmeal will better satisfy you.
Though several types of oatmeal are quick-cooking, they require some cooking time. So if your mornings are jam-packed, preparing a bowl of overnight oats the night before is an excellent way to ensure that you have a healthy meal to reach for as you head out the door.
Because oatmeal is cooked hot, youll need to wait until it cools off before packaging it as an on-the-go breakfast.
The Difference between Overnight Oats and Oatmeal
Choosing between overnight oats or oatmeal is usually determined by personal preference. For example, some individuals love eating cold or room-temperature uncooked oats, while others crave a warm bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal.
The nutritional benefits of these meals do vary, and depending on your unique health needs, you may want to choose one over the other. In addition, because of the different preparation methods, the way your body absorbs, digests and uses the nutrients from the whole grain changes. Lets look at the differences between overnight oats and oatmeal to decide which will work best with your lifestyle.
While they may taste similar, overnight oats and oatmeal are not the same. Heres a list of their most notable differences for a quick reference.
Overnight oats are prepared in advance, and oatmeal is cooked and consumed the same day.
You can prepare overnight oats using various cold liquids, whereas you cook oatmeal by heating water or milk.
Overnight oats are often served cold but can be heated; oatmeal is served hot.
Overnight Oats vs Cooked Oatmeal (which is better?)
FAQ
Are overnight oats healthier than cooked oats?
Are overnight oats better than quick oats?
Are overnight oats better than normal?
Are oats better cooked or raw?
Are overnight oats healthy?
Overnight oats, which are closer to uncooked oats, have 11 grams of protein and eight grams of fiber, according to University Health News. Cooked oats, on the other hand, have only six grams of protein and four grams of fiber. Another way to pack even more good nutrients into your oats is to soak them in lemon juice for better heart health.
Is cooked oats more beneficial than raw oats or toasted oats?
It is recommended to eat soaked oats as this helps release some nutrients that the body can’t extract from raw oats and will also reduce the side effects of eating raw oats such as indigestion or constipation. However, raw oats are safe to eat and can be included in any meal.
What is the difference between cooked and overnight oats?
In contrast, cooked oats are half water half grains, taking up the same amount of volume. Overnight oats refer to raw oats that are soaked overnight. For soaking, you can use milk, dairy free milk, yogurt, juice or water. Absorbing the liquid during the night, the oats get softened. The same thing happens when you cook oats.
Is overnight oats better than stovetop oatmeal?
While creamy stovetop oatmeal and overnight oats are a no-brainer way to consume oats, is one better for you than the other? According to Bob’s Red Mill, overnight oats have increased digestibility and resistant starch. What does this mean?