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Oats and runners

Is oatmeal beneficial for athletes? Are steel-cut oats better than quick-cooking oats? Does oatmeal really "stick to your ribs"? And for some, "Why would any athlete even want to eat oatmeal?? It's so gluey! Yuck!". Let's take a look at what you might want to know about this popular sports food.

Oatmeal (also known as "porridge" in parts of the world) refers to de-husked oats (groats) that have cut into small bits (steel-cut) or steamed (to soften the groats), then flattened with rollers (rolled oats). Regardless of the way the groat is processed, all types of oatmeal are 100% whole grain and offer similar amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. What differs is the cooking time, shape (rolled or steel-cut), texture (chewy or smooth), and whether or not they are all natural or fortified with B-vitamins and iron.

Which type is best? The answer depends on your taste preference and available cooking time.

• Steel-cut oats take 20 to 30 minutes to cook. They have a chewier texture than rolled oats. Some athletes use a crockpot to cook them overnight. Despite popular belief, steel-cut oats are nutritionally similar (not superior) to rolled oats.
• Old-fashioned oats (rolled oats) cook in 5 to 10 minutes and have a firm texture. They can be eaten uncooked with milk, like any dry cereal, or in the form of muesli or overnight oats.
• Quick-cooking oats are ready in a minute on the stovetop. Because they are rolled thinner than old-fashioned oats, they cook quicker and have a smoother texture.
• Instant oats cook quickly in the microwave. They are pre-cooked, rolled thin, dried, and then rehydrated to be eaten. They can be fortified (or not) with B-vitamins and iron. Some flavors are sugar-laden and perhaps best saved for dessert?

Benefits from eating oatmeal:

• Oatmeal is one of the most affordable whole grains, perfect for hungry athletes on a budget. At least half your daily grains should be whole grains. Oats for breakfast give you a good start to reaching that whole grain goal for the day.
• Oats are a "safe" choice for a pre-event meal. They are low in certain fibers (referred to as fodmaps) that send some athletes to the porta-toilets.
• Oats contain a type of soluble fiber (beta glucan) that makes cooked oats gluey - but can be beneficial for endurance athletes. Beta glucan slows the absorption of carbs over 2 to 3 hours, helping you feel satiated for a long time. Hence, oatmeal sticks to your ribs; it's a good pre-exercise choice for sustained energy.
• Beta glucan helps reduce the risk of heart disease if you eat oats in the context of a heart-healthy diet. To achieve this benefit, the daily target is one cup of dry rolled oats or half a cup of dry steel-cut oats most days of the week.
• Oats have about 5 grams protein per half a cup of dry serving. A good protein target for breakfast is at least 20 grams, so cook the oats in one cup of dairy milk (8 grams of protein) or soy milk (7 grams of protein) and stir in two tablespoons of peanut butter or a quarter cup of nuts (8 grams of proteins), and you'll have a super sports breakfast!
• Fortified oats offer extra iron, a mineral important for athletes who do not eat red meat. A packet of plain instant oatmeal offers 40% of the daily value for iron; regular oats offer only 6%. Read the Nutrition Facts label for information on iron in the oats you buy.
• Oats have some fiber, but only about 4 grams per serving (half a cup of dry rolled oats, a quarter cup of dry steel-cut oats). Given the daily fiber target is 25 to 38 grams (achieved by only 10% of women and 3% of men), oats make a small contribution - but more fiber than if you were to have just eggs for breakfast.
• Oats contain an antioxidant called avenanthramide (AVA). AVA can reduce the oxidative stress created by vigorous exercise. New research hints pre-exercise oatmeal might have a protective effect that could potentially reduce inflammation and muscle damage. Stay tuned.
• While naturally gluten-free, oats are often processed in a factory that also processes (gluten-containing) wheat. If you have celiac disease, you want to make sure you buy gluten-free oats.

How to boost your oat intake:

• Oats are versatile. You can cook them in water (or preferably in milk), to add protein, calcium, and creaminess. The suggested ratio is one cup (8 oz) of liquid for each half cup of rolled oats or for each quarter cup of steel-cut oats.
• For a savory option, cook oats in broth, season with soy sauce, or top with sriracha sauce. Or add some cheese and spinach when cooking, then top the oatmeal with a poached egg.
• As an athlete, you lose sodium in your sweat, so don't be afraid to make oatmeal tasty by sprinkling on some salt. A quarter teaspoon of salt per half cup of dry oats really helps change the bowl of glue into a yummier breakfast.
• Add sweetener, if desired, to make the oatmeal taste even better - honey, maple syrup, raisins, chopped dates. These extra carbs offer fuel for your muscles. According to the US Dietary Guidelines, 10% of daily calories can come from added sugar. That's perhaps 200 calories (50 grams) of added sugar for an athlete - guilt-free!
• Don't have time to cook oats in the morning? Make overnight oats the night before! There's no wrong way to make overnight oats. In a 16-ounce glass jar (such as a peanut butter jar), combine half cup of old fashioned oats, half cup of milk, a quarter cup of Greek yogurt, fruit of your choice (banana, berries), and optional add-ins, such as chia seeds and maple syrup. Refrigerate at least two hours for the oats to soften, if not overnight.
• Add rolled oats to a recovery shake or fruit smooothie for a thicker texture, as well as for more carbs to refuel your muscles.
• Bake with oat flour (blenderized oats).

Credits - WorldwideRunning.com would like to thank Nancy Clark for the permission to reprint the article "Oats for athletes" by Nancy Clark. Text © by Nancy Clark. Sports Nutritionist Nancy Clark, MS, RD counsels both casual and competitive athletes in the Boston-area (Newton; phone: 617-795-1875). Her best-selling Sports Nutrition Guidebook can help you eat for health and high energy. For more information about her books and online workshop, visit NancyClarkRD.com.