Oats, whether in cereal form or as a popular breakfast food, are consumed by many people, especially vegetarians and those on a diet. However, they are suitable for anyone to consume at any time, as they offer numerous nutrients and health benefits for the body. There are many ways to consume oats due to their versatile nature and ability to be combined with various other ingredients. However, can you eat oats raw without cooking them? Are oats safe to consume even without undergoing a cooking process?
What Are Raw Oats?
Oats come in many varieties, including rolled oats, steel-cut oats, quick oats, and others, all derived from oat grass. Despite their various types, they are rich in vitamins and nutrients, such as fibre, protein, and antioxidants, similar to raw oats. Raw oats refer to all kinds of oats that have not undergone extensive processing and are safe to consume!
By soaking them in milk or yogurt, you can easily enjoy raw oats with a delicious taste and low-calorie content, especially if you try some of the oat-based products from Oats My Goodness, which offers raw oats in overnight oats made with high-quality ingredients and unique, tasty flavour.
Is It Safe to Eat Raw Oats?
Since they are plant-based and made from clean ingredients, raw oats are a safe and healthy option to consume. However, there are several interesting ways to enhance the flavour of raw oats with a few additional ingredients. Of course, the preparation process won’t take long since you’re making uncooked dishes and only need to mix the ingredients. Try making overnight oats, which require only raw rolled oats and soaking them in dairy milk. You’ll get a pudding-like texture in the morning with a fresh, appealing taste that is safe to consume raw.
The Health Benefits of Oats
In addition to offering a delicious texture and taste, there are several benefits of oats for your body that you should be aware of.
Oats Help Improve Mood
Sometimes, you have to start the day in a good mood so that your activities run smoothly and are more enjoyable. Eating raw oats or overnight oats in the morning can help improve your mood and boost your energy, especially when topped with fruits like strawberries and blueberries. With high nutrition and complex carbohydrates, it helps produce serotonin, a hormone that promotes feelings of happiness.
They Help Ward Off Chronic Inflammation and Diseases
Oats are rich in antioxidants and beta-glucans, known for reducing cholesterol and supporting heart health. Including oats regularly may help reduce your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which can make you healthier and protect your immune system, especially when you consume raw oats.
They Help Quell Hunger Cravings
Oats are rich in fibre and protein, making them a food that provides the body with many vitamins in just one serving. It makes the body feel full for longer, which is why people often include oats in their diet, particularly as a nutritious grain option rich in soluble fibre. Raw oats help you reduce cravings for eating lots of food or snacks, are healthy, and are low in calories.
Highly Nutritious
Oats are packed with essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. A bowl of oats, whether cooked or raw, contributes to your daily fibre, protein, and micronutrient needs, supporting overall health, especially heart health. Consuming oats, particularly in the form of oat milk, helps you maintain a healthier lifestyle without getting bored! You won’t feel bored eating them, especially when combining them with a variety of plant-based ingredients that are both diverse and nutrient-rich. For example, you can add vitamins from fruits and protein from granola.
Ways to Prepare Raw Oats
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats can be a delicious and nutritious way to start your day, especially when enhanced with fruits like banana or blueberry. It is the best way to enjoy raw oats safely and deliciously. Soaking oats in plant-based milk or yogurt overnight softens them, making them easy to digest and ready for a practical, protein-rich breakfast.
Their versatility makes them perfect for pairing with a variety of interesting toppings. Moreover, Oats My Goodness offers a product bundle containing six different flavours that you should try in the morning, especially when considering the benefits of consuming raw oats.
No-Bake Cookies or Brownies
Raw oats are a fantastic base for no-bake treats. Peanut butter and almonds can be a great combination because the resulting flavour is more delicious and also rich in nutrients. This food can be the ideal solution for making desserts without worrying about high calories or other health risks.
Energy Balls
Many people who exercise, such as athletes, pay close attention to their meals and snacks, whether they are healthy or not, and how they impact their bodies. Energy balls are a favourite food among workout enthusiasts because they are easy to prepare and store. You can make energy balls using rolled oats and also get lots of nutrients that are good for the body to maximise muscle growth through the protein in oats.
Muesli
Muesli is one of the most popular and traditional ways to enjoy raw oats. It’s typically a mixture of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, often served with milk, yoghurt, or a plant-based alternative. Unlike overnight oats, which require soaking for hours, muesli can be eaten immediately or after a short soak to soften the oats slightly.
Smoothies
Adding raw oats to smoothies is a simple yet powerful way to boost their nutritional profile. A tablespoon or two of rolled oats blended into your smoothie adds valuable fibre, plant-based protein, and slow-digesting carbohydrates. This helps stabilise blood sugar and keeps you feeling satisfied longer, making it an ideal choice for breakfast on the go or a post-workout snack. Moreover, you can have various flavours to make smoothies with fruits!
Raw Oats vs. Cooked Oatmeal
Soaked raw oats retain more texture and nutrients, offering a practical and hassle-free solution for busy mornings, especially when preparing an overnight oats recipe. However, how to cook rolled oats or other types of oats? Do their nutrients decrease when cooked? The method of cooking oatmeal can vary because you can make many types of dishes from oats, such as fried rice, porridge, cakes, or cooked oatmeal.
Cooked oats have a softer texture, similar to porridge, and can provide warmth during colder months. Both methods are equally nutritious. It all depends on personal preference and lifestyle. You can explore many ways to enjoy oats or try different flavours, as creativity is one of the key elements in finding your perfect dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat oats straight from the packet?
Technically, yes. However, dry oats straight from the packet are hard to digest and won’t taste great. Soaking them will enhance the texture, flavour, and digestibility of raw oats.
What is the healthiest way to eat oats?
Soaked overnight oats are considered one of the healthiest methods for preparing oats. They’re easier to digest and retain key nutrients, especially when you soak your oats beforehand. Oats My Goodness range provides a perfect balance of protein, fibre, and clean ingredients, making it an excellent choice for a vegan diet.
Can you eat rolled oats with cold milk?
Absolutely. This is how muesli or overnight oats are enjoyed. Soaking is still recommended for texture and digestibility, even if the milk is cold.
Conclusion
Can you eat raw oats without cooking them? Eating raw oats is not only safe but also offers numerous health benefits when prepared correctly, such as in an overnight oats recipe. Whether you’re after a quick breakfast or a sustainable meal replacement, Oats My Goodness has got you covered. Our oats are wheat, rye and barley free, packed with 20g of plant-based protein, and deliver one-third of your daily fibre needs without preservatives, seed oils or refined sugars.
Explore our range and grab a bundle at Oats My Goodness for a healthier, fuss-free start to your day.
