Just Try It Week 1 - 2nd Posting

• ·         Cooked oatmeal topped with almonds or dried cranberries 

I decided to dive into this one with even trying a new brand of oatmeal.  Sorry Quaker because my daughter and I do love you.  I picked up three boxes of BettterOats Oat Revolution which is old fashioned style oatmeal with flax - Strawberries & Cream, Peaches & Cream, and the Thick & Hearty Apples & Cinnamon.  This morning I decided on the Apples & Cinnamon. Easy microwave directions.  The package even serves as the measuring cup to add your ½ cup of cold water.  Microwave for 2 minutes and it’s done.  I tossed in ½ serving of sea salt almonds.  This brand is not as sweet as Quaker and I think I like that.  The overly artificial sweet taste is lacking making it seem hearty and more breakfast like. 

Nutrition Facts:

Calories 130

Total Fat 2g

      Polyunsaturated 1 g

      Monounsaturated 1g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 170mg

Potassium 105mg

Total Carb 26g

      Dietary Fiber 3g

Soluble Finber 1g

Insoluble Fiber 2g

Sugars 10g

Protein 3g

*Based on 2,000 Calorie diet

Vitamin A 20%

Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 10%

Iron 20%

Vitamin E 20%

Thiamin 25%

Riboflavin 20%

Niacin 20%

Vitamin B6 20%

Folate 25%

Phosphorus 10%

Magnesium 15%

Contains 230mg of ALA Omega-3 (14%)

So some of this didn’t help me in understanding how any of this helps me, especially flax and ALA Omega-3. Thank you Google! 

 

From About.com:

Flax Seed: The Low Carb Whole Grain

Nutrition, Health Benefits of Flax Seed

By Laura Dolson, About.com Guide

Updated November 16, 2010

Flax Seed is Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Mounting evidence shows that inflammation plays a part in many chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers. This inflammation is enhanced by having too little Omega-3 intake (such as in fish, flax, and walnuts), especially in relation to Omega-6 fatty acid intake (in oils such as soy and corn oil). In the quest to equalize the ratio of these two kinds of oils, flax seed can be a real help.

Most of the oil in flax seeds is alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an Omega-3 that is a precursor to the fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty cold-water fish (called EPA and DHA). Because not everyone is able to easily convert ALA into EPA and (especially) DHA, it is best not to rely solely on flax for your Omega-3 intake. However, ALA also has good effects of its own, and definitely helps in the Omega 3/6 balance.

Now how does BetterOats compare to Quaker for nutritional value.  Not much of a difference.  Quaker does contain .5 saturated fat.  I think the boost for BetterOats is in adding the flax.  This seems to have added Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, and Folate, all of which are not listed on the Quaker box.  And, BetterOats has over double the Magnesium along with containing the ALA Omega-3.

New things or change is not always bad.  Just Try It!