Bert — of Sesame Street fame — has a pet pigeon named Bernice and two goldfish named Lyle and Talbot. His favorite number is six and his favorite instrument is the Tuba. Bert is the self-appointed president of The National Association of W Lovers (yes a club to honor the letter “w”), and... he loves to make oatmeal.
Bert and other fans of this winter-warming comfort food have reason to delight because believe it or not, January is National Oatmeal Month.
Oatmeal is a satisfying, healthy morning meal. It’s high in soluble fiber, which may help to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and has a good amount of protein. One of oatmeal’s qualities is that it’s a low-glycemic-index food. Research suggests that eating a meal of this sort before you exercise may help you burn more fat. For a boost of calcium, make oatmeal with low-fat milk instead of water. Then top it with your favorite berries or fruit to add more fiber and nuts for healthy fats.
“Oatmeal contains beta-glucan, a strand of fiber that has been found in research to reduces levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol levels as well as help build the immune system and fight bacterial infections by helping non-specific immune cells called neutrophils locate and heal infected tissues,” said Erin Palinski, Vernon Nutrition Center owner, and author of "Belly Fat Diet.” “The unique antioxidant compound to oats, avenanthramides, were found in a Tufts University study to help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Furthermore, Palinski said because oatmeal is rich in fiber, it can help stabilize blood sugar levels preventing crashes and “helping to prevent excessive hunger.” She said that oatmeal consumption may also decrease the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
“Oatmeal contains high amounts of magnesium, which help the body to properly use glucose and secrete insulin,” Palinski added. “An eight-year trial showed a 19 percent decrease in type 2 diabetes risk in women with a magnesium-rich diet and a 31 percent risk decrease in women who regularly ate whole grains.”
Nutritionist, pharmacist and avid runner, Bogdan Bienko, BS, RPh, MS, of Tranquility, said, “Oatmeal is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber. The fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In addition, complex carbs, especially with fiber, help control blood glucose which is immensely significant nowadays because of the rise of diabetes in the U.S. population.”
In addition to making a great breakfast or hot “pick-me-up,” you can mix oatmeal into homemade meatballs and meatloaf to help meat hold its shape better during cooking. Make a unique pie crust by using oatmeal for half the flour. Add oatmeal to thicken chili. Stir oatmeal into muffins, pancakes and breads for nutty flavor and healthy fiber.
Oatmeal is also a diet assistant. Replace all-purpose flour with homemade oat flour. Simply grind oats in a food processor to do this. It’s great for baking cookies, breads, pancakes and waffles and you get twice the fiber so you feel fuller but have consumed fewer calories.
According to the International Journal of Epidemiology, oatmeal can help prevent breast cancer. A study found that premenopausal women on diets rich in fiber from whole grains, such as oats, can reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 41 percent.
Here are a few other ways to celebrate National Oatmeal month.
Skin rescue
Oatmeal can also be used as a facial mask ingredient. Oats contain “saponins” which are cleansers that remove dirt from the pores. Mix 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup of hot water and a 1/4 cup honey in a food processor. Let cool and apply. Wait 10 minutes and rinse for smooth, cleansed skin. A homemade oatmeal scrub is a natural way to get rid of dead skin cells, too. Use panty hose or a nylon sock to make a great scrub-applying cloth. Put one or two cups of oatmeal into the sock/hose and tie the end of it lightly so you can reuse it. Run a hot bath and drop the sock/hose into the water to soak and release the creamy part into the bath. This skin-relieving soak will ease dry skin and perpetuate immediate itch relief. This also works to ease the itch of Chicken Pox.
Happy hair
Ahhh, it's one of those days and you don’t have time to shampoo your hair. Never fear, oatmeal is here. Take one cup of oatmeal and grind it into a fine powder in your food processor or blender then mix it with one cup of baking soda. Apply this mixture to your hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Shake or brush your hair to remove the “dry shampoo” and out will come the mixture along with any oil build up. Good to use on animals, as well.
Fido and Oatmeal
Speaking of animals, oatmeal reduces inflammation and itchy skin not just in humans, but animals as well. Pamper your dog with an oatmeal shampoo. There are oatmeal pet shampoos available at health food stores and pet supply places. Use as directed to ease pet allergies, inflamed skin, irritated skin or bug bites.
Snow day savior
The kids are home from school, the roads are covered in snow and... you're in charge of entertainment. Fortunately, oatmeal can come to the rescue. Mix one cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water. Kids can mold this knobby clay into different shapes. Use a blender to grind the oatmeal into a powder for a smoother clay, and add food coloring. Let the children’s arts of work dry, and the hardened oatmeal clay can be painted with non-toxic paint another day. (This clay is not edible).
Poison Ivy relief
Poison oak, ivy and other such rashes can be eased with an oatmeal paste. An old wive’s tale suggests soaking oatmeal in water to make a paste and then apply it liberally to the rash. Leave on for 20 minutes. The theory of this folklore is that as the oatmeal dries, it absorbs the oils that make the poison itch and spread. Peel off the paste and cleanse the affected area when it's dry.
Road trip
Pack an oatmeal poultice for day trips just in case the need arises. Put a few tablespoons of dry oatmeal in an old, clean sock for the travel kit. If a rash or insect bite strikes, soak the oatmeal sock in water and apply as a cooling pack to ease the bites or rash.