What Happens to Your Waistline When You Eat Oatmeal

 Everyone is talking about oatmeal these days and all of its health benefits, but what can eating oatmeal do for your weight loss goals specifically? Before you grab your favorite bowl of oats, you may want to find out!

According to Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, oatmeal can help you maintain a healthy weight and reach your weight loss goals. And one of the main reasons this is true is because of its fiber content.

 

Health benefits of oatmeal

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Oatmeal has been found to be one of the healthiest breakfast foods you can eat. It's packed full of nutrients, it can help you lower your cholesterol, can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, and can help you manage weight loss or maintain your goal weight.

"Oatmeal is one of the best ways to keep you full and help you maintain a healthy weight, which is because oats are packed with dietary fiber," says D'Angelo. "Fiber helps us feel full longer, control blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and helps maintain healthy bowel movements. All of these benefits of eating oatmeal will naturally reduce your waist circumference and keep you away from reaching for unhealthy snacks in the pantry."

In fact, according to one study found in the American Journal of Nutrition, increasing your fiber intake can be associated with a decrease in abdominal fat. 

Oatmeal is very high in a specific type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which helps to form a gel-like substance after you eat. This fiber has been linked to many health benefits beyond just weight control, such as increasing bile acid, lowering your LDL cholesterol, helping to manage your blood sugar levels and insulin, improving your gut health, and even helping to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Although oatmeal is one of the healthiest grains, if not the healthiest foods, you can eat, it's important to remember that healthy weight loss doesn't just come from one food. Getting fiber from oatmeal in the morning can be a helpful way to meet your goals, but it must still be paired with a healthy, balanced diet and movement.