which is better, natural oatmeal or packaged oatmeal. Thanks?

Answer 1

I'm assuming you mean "old fashioned" stove top oatmeal when you say "natural" and that you mean instant oatmeal when you say "packaged"?

It's not about how it's packaged at all - it's about the INGREDIENTS. For example, if you look at the ingredients on the stove top Quaker brand package, it says "100% natural rolled oats." If you look on the Quaker instant oatmeal box (maple and brown sugar I'm going to use), it says the ingredients are "WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS (WITH OAT BRAN), SUGAR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SALT, CALCIUM CARBONATE, GUAR GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, NIACINAMIDE*, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, REDUCED IRON, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, RIBOFLAVIN*, THIAMIN MONONITRATE*, FOLIC ACID*. *ONE OF THE B VITAMINS"

As you can see from the ingredients, the stove top (or "old fashioned") oatmeal would be better for you, as it doesn't have the added sugar, artificial flavors, preservatives and other ingredients that are hard to read. The fruit flavored instant oatmeal is the worst...I mean, who wants "DEHYDRATED APPLES (TREATED WITH SULFUR DIOXIDE, SODIUM SULFITE, AND SODIUM BISULFITE TO PROMOTE COLOR RETENTION)" when you can get an organic oatmeal with "Organic rolled oats, organic evaporated cane juice, organic dried apple, organic cinnamon, sea salt, natural flavor" instead? As I said, it's the INGREDIENTS that matter.

If you like instant oatmeal but want to avoid artificial and chemically-altered ingredients, Nature's Path has a variety of organic instant oatmeals. I've had Nature's Path oatmeal and I think it's not only great tasting but healthy as well. You can get Nature's Path at any Whole Food's Market. There are other organic oatmeals out there as well that would be much better for you than the conventional instant oatmeals out there.

Answer 2

Organic oatmeal is the best as it is pesticide free which makes it safe to consume on a daily basis. Beware of "natural" as that can be deceitful, it has to say Organic on the package. If you have a Whole Foods market in your area, that's where to go as they have a large selection of Oatmeal and many varieties. Organic oatmeal does tase better and seems lighter , even the instant organic oatmeal is deliscious and very healthy.I promise you that you will love it!

Answer 3

When you say "natural", I'm assuming you mean the longer cooking varieties. They are, by all means, the best. Taste better and have more...you guessed it!...fiber!!! My favorite oatmeal is Irish oatmeal which must be cooked for 20 minutes. A real treat and easily done in the crockpot as well.

Answer 4

I use the Regular Flavored instant oatmeal packets. As long as it's regular flav, it doesn't have all the sugar that flavored instant oatmeal has. If you compare the label to natural oatmeal (in the tall round can), it is virtually the same, and much quicker to make.

Answer 5

Natural is better. Packaged oatmeal has been stripped (to make it cook faster) and doesn't have as many health benefits.

Answer 6

BOTH are good sources of fibre;
BOTH can help with cholesterol counts;
BOTH taste pretty good.

Watch out for additives; read the content label and stay away from preservatives. YOUR health is worth the extra time reading.

I eat BOTH, but purchase more natural than packaged.

Answer 7

natural a lot of the packages have added sugars

Answer 8

packaged. definitely packaged.

Answer 9

mcann's is the best and you can cook it in the microwave

Answer 10

Either one is good for you.