Formerly known as oatmeal porridge or oatmeal, the warm breakfast meal is now celebrating its revival as the trendy food porridge or oatmeal.
Our grandparents already knew about the beneficial effects of oat meals – who doesn't know the oat gruel soup from childhood days, for example – and so the now very popular breakfast dish probably brings back old childhood memories for some people. Whether the oat gruel awakened good or bad memories remains to be seen.
For some time now, the breakfast classic porridge has been gaining in popularity again and is finding its way onto the menus of hip restaurants and being discussed in food blogs.
In the following article, you will learn why porridge is so popular and what is actually behind this food trend.
Here you can find a video on how to prepare delicious porridge.
Organic porridge from VERIVAL - Try it now!
What is the food trend porridge all about?
Once known as bland oatmeal gruel, porridge was rarely mentioned on food blogs or Instagram feeds. But when word got around that warm porridge is bursting with vitamins and minerals, health-conscious people suddenly chose it as their superfood. Within a short time, countless recipes for oatmeal gruel could be found on the internet.
Meanwhile, porridge is a trendy food that has become an indispensable part of our breakfast tables and is very popular. Many bloggers and influencers advertise beautifully decorated porridge and recipes for it on their feed.
In addition to numerous other advantages, cooked oats are particularly convincing as an energy supplier for the whole day. And as a quickly prepared, healthy breakfast in the morning. You will find a simple recipe for the soothing oatmeal in the further course of the article.
What makes oatmeal a healthy trend food?
Since porridge can be prepared in a variety of ways, guaranteeing flexibility for different tastes and diets, warm porridge is very much in vogue.
At a time when individual nutritional needs are becoming increasingly important, a breakfast as versatile as porridge is very convenient. From gluten-free or lactose-free to vegan, there really is something for everyone when it comes to this warm porridge. For example, gluten-free oat flakes or rice flakes can be used as a base for the porridge. You can also use normal milk, lactose-free milk, water or a plant-based drink such as oat milk to prepare the porridge.
In addition, porridge is the perfect companion for your flexible work-life balance. You can prepare it warm or eat it cold as overnight oats, enjoy it sweet with berries, nuts and honey or salty with vegetables like tomatoes and carrots. What's more, porridge is not just for breakfast, but can be eaten at any other time of the day or night. Whether you like your porridge with sugar or salt, oats are always delicious!
Another advantage of oats is that they are quick and easy to prepare.
The advantages of oats
There are many reasons why oats are currently booming as a porridge. We have summarized the most important advantages of oats for you, along with preparation instructions:
Superfood oats as the main ingredient
One crucial ingredient makes porridge the trend food for an unbeatable breakfast for all those who are nutrition-conscious. We are talking about oats. They are usually used as the basis for porridge and are simply unbeatable in their nutritional composition.
Oats, an all-rounder, contain a lot of healthy fiber, which not only keeps you full for a long time but is also good for your health. Among other things, the complex carbohydrates are known to regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. When you eat porridge, the sugar in the oats is slowly absorbed into the blood during digestion. The slow absorption of the sugar from the oats provides us with lasting energy and keeps us from feeling sluggish after a meal.
In addition to their high fiber content, oats also contain significant amounts of vitamins B1 and B6, as well as zinc, magnesium, and iron. They are also considered an excellent source of protein, which is why they are particularly important in a vegetarian and vegan diet. So there is at least one way of preparing them for everyone, no matter what their diet. Oats also contain biotin, which is known as the beauty vitamin and is great for strong nails and beautiful hair. It's not for nothing that the healthy grain is considered a local superfood.
A warm breakfast for your well-being
Besides oats as the main healthy ingredient, porridge also has another advantage: a warm breakfast is considered healthier. Since the porridge is already at body temperature, the body can digest it more easily and it is more digestible than, for example, muesli or granola with cold milk in the morning. In addition, the nutrients from warm food, whether in fruit or vegetables, can be better absorbed. The warm porridge covers the stomach lining, so to speak, and is particularly gentle on the gastrointestinal tract.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is also said that a warm breakfast strengthens your immune system. In addition, porridge warms wonderfully from the inside, which is why a warm oat breakfast is particularly good and beneficial in the cold autumn and winter months. After a few minutes, you feel an inner warmth – it can be compared to drinking tea.
Warm oats not only warm from the inside, but also strengthen the immune system and have a positive effect on the intestinal flora, according to TCM. Porridge is very easy to digest and is therefore also considered a light food.
Feel good with the trendy food porridge
Thanks to its wholesome ingredients, porridge is very popular among people who are conscious about their weight and it is included in numerous diet plans. Above all, it is practical because there is not just one recipe for preparing it, but you can find a number of recipes. In addition, the oatmeal can be easily varied with different ingredients and the porridge is ready in just a few minutes.
The complex carbohydrates contained in oats help you feel full for longer after eating. So, with a bowl of porridge for breakfast, you can easily last until lunch time. This should keep your energy levels up without the need for snacks.
To help your body digest the porridge as well as possible, it is advisable to drink water. In general, you should drink at least two liters of water a day anyway. But be careful: you can overdo drinking water too! Depending on how much water you take in through your diet, you should calculate how much extra water you consume. Drinking too much water a day can wash out the salt and minerals that are actually good for your body.
Since this type of carbohydrate in porridge causes your blood sugar level to rise slowly and fall just as slowly, porridge for breakfast can also help prevent afternoon hunger pangs. Starting the day with porridge makes it easier to resist snacks and sweet temptations, i.e. sugar. This, in turn, is essential for losing weight successfully.
So if your BMI is too high and you would like to lose a few pounds, porridge should be your breakfast of choice. If you don't know your BMI yet, you can easily find it out with the help of our BMI calculator.
Oatmeal is quick and easy to prepare
Porridge is quick to prepare, and there is plenty of room for individual taste preferences in all recipes. With the best porridge toppings and ingredients, you can get even more out of your favorite breakfast and turn a boring bowl of porridge into a real gourmet breakfast. Of course, for a healthy diet, porridge should be prepared without sugar.
There are many delicious ideas for making it more varied and tasty. Fresh fruit and berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), nuts (hazelnuts, cashews, almonds,...), seeds and spices (cinnamon, cardamom,...) are excellent.
We have prepared a recipe for you here. This recipe is a basic oatmeal recipe. This means that you can add to it as you wish. This recipe is just the beginning – you can find other good recipes on our blog.
Oatmeal recipe – basic recipe
As an alternative for new porridge recipes, our VERIVAL porridge range offers you a variety of delicious oat porridge variations. This means you no longer need any extra ingredients and you also save a few minutes of time. From strawberry chia with chia seeds to chocolate banana – simply mix with hot milk, a milk alternative or water, leave to stand for a few minutes and enjoy fresh. At VERIVAL, we are constantly active in our product development and you will find many healthy breakfast recipes and breakfast ideas.
You can buy your porridge in our online shop. Perhaps a Verival subscription, where you regularly receive your favorite products, is the right thing for you to support you in your healthy eating.
Discover delicious porridge variety from VERIVAL!
Frequently asked questions
How healthy is oat gruel soup?
Oat gruel soup, i.e. a soup made from oat flakes, is extremely healthy. The protein mixture contained in the oat flakes is very beneficial for the stomach and intestines. That is why oat gruel soup is a popular and proven remedy for diarrhea and stomach problems, for example. Oat flakes become slimy when heated. This mucus covers the stomach lining and thus relieves acute pain.
How does oat gruel affect the intestines?
If you have digestive problems (stomach or intestinal infection, diarrhea, stomach pain,...), then oat gruel is the remedy of choice for achieving relief and improvement through food. The gluten contained in the oat flakes covers the stomach and intestinal mucosa like a protective plaster. This alleviates irritation, reduces pain and allows the digestive tract to recover.
What is the difference between porridge and gruel?
Porridge is a cereal porridge made from oat flakes and water (or milk). Oat soup is always made with water and is much thinner than porridge. Strictly speaking, oat gruel is the thick liquid that is strained off after cooking oat flakes.
What is oat flake soup good for?
Oatmeal soup is easy to digest and is particularly helpful for digestive problems (stomach flu, diarrhea, stomach pain, etc.). The gluten in the oats covers the stomach and intestinal mucosa like a protective band-aid. This helps to sooth irritation, reduce pain and allow the digestive tract to recover. In general, oatmeal soup will keep you feeling full for longer and can help to lower your cholesterol level. The biotin it contains strengthens the skin and bones and makes beautiful hair. Oats have many health benefits and can help alleviate skin rashes, bladder and kidney weakness, and even rheumatism. Oats are easy to prepare and can be pre-cooked for later use.
What happens if I eat porridge every day?
After just a few days, you will notice positive changes in your digestion. Since oats contain a lot of fiber, digestion and metabolism are stimulated. Since oatmeal, porridge or even oatmeal soup is very filling, you will also feel less cravings. Enjoyed in the morning, the daily warm oatmeal will give you a good start to the day. You will start the day with energy.
Is oatmeal healthy in the evening?
Whether in the morning or evening – or in between – porridge is always healthy. What can definitely be said is that oats in the evening are excellent for supporting the body's regeneration. This means that during the night, body cells, the brain and all muscles regenerate. Cells are stimulated to grow and new ones are formed. Oats promote the release of hormones that trigger and support these processes.
What ingredient should you never eat with oats?
Oats with water taste a bit boring, of course, but toppings can help to balance this out. Oats with milk are more substantial – however, the calcium contained in the milk inhibits the absorption of iron from the oats. Oats with (unsweetened) tea is therefore also a good option. And, of course, plant-based milk alternatives are also a possibility. There is no single ingredient that you should never combine with oats. It always depends on what is important to you – what you want to get out of your meal.
How long do you have to soak oats for?
Oats should be soaked for at least half an hour before eating. This is because the nutrients from the oats can be absorbed and utilized much better. The cereal flakes also become even more digestible when they swell. So you can prepare your morning meal in the evening, or your evening meal during the day – it's practical and, as already mentioned, extremely healthy!
Are oats laxative or astringent?
Oats are known to contain a lot of fiber. This fiber stimulates digestion. If you incorporate oats into your diet often and make sure you drink enough fluids, you can easily avoid complaints such as constipation and keep your digestion going well.
