In the morning I add oatmeal straight from the pack to my smoothie. But now I read that you have to boil or soak oatmeal first, is that correct? This would be because of a substance that blocks the absorption of vitamins.
Gemma
Suzan Tuinier, nutritionist
There are oat flakes and there is oatmeal. The difference is in the size of the flake. With oatmeal, the oat grain is cut in half. This creates a smaller flake with a shorter cooking time. Sometimes oatmeal is steamed in the factory, so you get quick-cooking oats.
Heavy on the stomach?
In principle, you can eat oat flakes and oatmeal uncooked. Just think of muesli, which contains oat flakes. Your intestines can digest it just fine. Sometimes I hear that cooked oatmeal is less heavy on the stomach. But these are exceptions and this feeling usually disappears after a few meals.
phytic acid
The ‘substance’ that is meant is phytic acid. Phytic acid is found in plant foods, such as (whole grain) grains, nuts, vegetables, seeds and legumes. It would have an impeding effect on the absorption of minerals. This works very well in practice. Soaking oatmeal, for example, ensures that the phytic acid content is slightly lower, but it does not disappear and minerals are also lost through the soaking. So you may wonder how much you get with it.
The nutritional advice already takes this into account: a varied diet is and remains the best advice. So continue to vary with oatmeal. It’s tasty and healthy too!
Do you also have a question? Then ask one of our experts. Always go to your doctor with urgent questions, the experts are not the right person for that. They also do not diagnose. You can find the other conditions here.
Suzan Tuinier is a nutritionist with years of experience in nutrition education. She knows a lot about vitamins and minerals, because she is coordinator of the Vitamin Information Bureau. In addition, her mother’s heart beats faster when it comes to infant nutrition.
