How eating oatmeal every morning can help shed unwanted weight in a flash

A new study offers hope for anyone trying to shed a few pounds.

Most people are aware the high fiber content in oatmeal is linked to all sorts of good things like a healthy heart and colon. But did you know that oatmeal can help you lose weight?

A 2015 study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism found eating oatmeal for breakfast better satiates the appetite than does eating the same amount of calories in cold cereals like corn flakes. The study found this is particularly the case of people who are overweight.

What this means, is that people who eat oatmeal for breakfast are more likely to feel full and less likely to eat a large lunch. Smaller lunches mean lower calorie intake overall. And lower calories equals…you guessed it: weight loss!

The reason eating 350 calories of oatmeal is more satiating than eating 350 calories of corn flakes may be because oatmeal takes longer to leave the stomach than do corn flakes. The broader implications of the study suggest eating oatmeal for breakfast may actually help people with weight loss, as well as weight management.

For people who incorporate exercise into their weight loss program, there is even better news for you! According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, eating low glycemic index foods, like oatmeal, three hours before exercising gives a person better endurance. When one is able to workout for a longer period of time, she is able to shed more pounds.

The low glycemic index in oatmeal also makes it useful in reducing a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes. For people who already suffer from type 2 diabetes, eating oatmeal can help keep blood sugar levels in check.

If weight loss is not a good enough reason to eat oatmeal, consider some other health benefits. Oatmeal has some pretty powerful nutrients. Copper, zinc, selenium, thiamin, and niacin are all known to protect and promote skin health. Plus, the health benefits to the heart and colon are undeniable. The soluble fiber in oatmeal is known to reduce the risk of heart disease and colorectal cancer.

With all these great health benefits, why not swap out the cold cereal for oatmeal? If the taste of oatmeal is just not for you, try one of these 28 variations on overnight oats.