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The short answer from a dietitian
Oatmeal is a great option whether you make it simple or dress it up with fruit, seeds and nuts. But besides just being an Instagram-worthy bowl of goodness, oatmeal offers a particularly impressive benefit.
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Eating just one and one-half cups of cooked oatmeal a day can lower your cholesterol by 5 to 8%.
Oatmeal contains soluble and insoluble fiber – two types that your body needs. Insoluble fiber, which is also found in the skins of many fruits, helps keep us regular. Soluble fiber, which is also found in beans, oranges and pears, helps prevent disease and lowers cholesterol.
Getting both types of fiber is a big win for your body. But there’s another benefit: fiber can also aid in weight loss because it helps you feel full and satisfied.
So go ahead and stock up on this versatile grain!
– Andrea Dunn, RD, LD, CDE.
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