We often hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It helps boost our energy by providing nutrients that keep our bodies going. Hence, breakfast needs to be hearty and healthy to enhance our immune system and increase productivity. Aside from eating fruits and eggs and drinking milk, having a nice bowl of oatmeal is a perfect way to start your day!
Additionally, oatmeal is a great ingredient when preparing healthy shakes, parfaits, and of course, cookies! We know there are many oatmeals available on the market, so in this article, we'll share a top 8 list of our recommended products. We also have a buying guide, fact-checked by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales. Keep on reading to know more!
Quick List - Top Oatmeals
Bob's Red Mill
Award-Winning, Steel-Cut Oats With Loads of Health Benefits
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
First of all, what are oats and oatmeal exactly? Avena sativa, commonly known as oats, is a grain primarily grown in cold countries such as Canada, Russia, and Japan. The unprocessed oat groats take 30 minutes to cook. Meanwhile, oatmeal is a processed version of oat groats and takes considerably less time to cook, typically about 5 minutes.
According to research, eating whole grains like oats is an excellent source of fiber, which is great for digestive health and weight control. Plus, oats are rich in thiamine or vitamin B1 and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, which strengthen your immunity.
Oats are also a great source of antioxidants like avenanthramides. Its task is to lower your blood pressure by improving circulation and blood flow. In addition, eating oats can help reduce sugar and cholesterol levels, which is perfect for those with a history of cardiovascular issues such as high blood and hypertension.
Here are some key points to consider:
There are 3 common types of oatmeal that are currently available on the market. These include quick-cooking or instant oats, rolled oats, and steel-cut oats. They differ when it comes to preparation, cooking time, and most importantly, texture.
If you are looking for a quick and easy meal, you can opt for quick-cooking or instant oats. As the name implies, quick-cooking oats can be prepared in just two minutes over a stove. Meanwhile, instant oats are already pre-cooked—simply add hot water or milk, and they are ready to eat.
Either way, both are perfect for people who are in a rush. However, they are the most processed type of oatmeal. They also have a mushy texture that some people are not a fan of. Nonetheless, they are still considered nutritious.
If you are looking for oats to use in baking or as breakfast cereal, we recommend rolled oats. They have a chewier—rather than a mushy—texture. They are considerably less processed than quick-cooking or instant oats and take only 5 to 10 minutes to cook.
Apart from eating rolled oats as is, you can use them as an ingredient for desserts and snacks—such as oatmeal cookies, muffins, and granola bars—to add more fiber and texture. They can also work as healthier extenders for meatballs and tortang giniling. Meanwhile, many moms use rolled oats in preparing homemade baby food.
If you want the purest type of oatmeal, then try steel-cut oats. Also known as Irish or pinhead oatmeal, they refer to oat groats that are cut into tiny pieces for easier consumption. They have a nutty flavor and coarse texture when cooked.
Since they are minimally processed, they are rich in fiber and protein, making them the healthiest type of oatmeal. They fill you up fairly quickly, so they're perfect for dieters. However, they require the longest cooking time, which can take as long as 30 minutes.
Some oatmeals contain added nuts, seeds, other grains, and dried fruits like berries or bananas. Others come in exciting flavors like chocolate, apple, and cinnamon, and the savory arroz caldo-flavored oatmeal to suit different palates.
These flavors and additional ingredients break out from the monotony in the taste and texture of oatmeal. They can also add some vitamins and minerals to your meal. However, it is important to note that those with sweet flavors have added sugar, so make sure to check the nutrition label on the packaging.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Quaker Quick Cook Oatmeal | ![]() | 100% Natural Oatmeal From a Trusted Brand | |
2 | Bob's Red Mill Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats | ![]() | Award-Winning, Steel-Cut Oats With Loads of Health Benefits | |
3 | Captain Oats Rolled Oats | ![]() | Goes Through a Unique Process to Lock In the Nutrients | |
4 | Quaker Instant Oatmeal|Fruit & Nuts | ![]() | Contains Real Fruit and Nuts for an Improved Taste | |
5 | Australia Harvest Whole Rolled Oats | ![]() | Lightly Toasted Oatmeal for a Hearty Breakfast | |
6 | Golden Oats Plus Fortified Vitamin C|Strawberry Flavor With Cream | ![]() | Strawberry-Flavored Oatmeal Fortified With Immune-Boosting Vitamin C | |
7 | Dan-D Pak Rolled Oats | ![]() | Canadian Rolled Oats That Are Packed With Nutrients | |
8 | Kellogg's Instant Oats | ![]() | A Staple Food for Dieters and Fitness Enthusiasts |
Start your day with Quaker Oats as your healthy breakfast. To prepare, cook it in a pan for 2 minutes. You can pour milk over the oatmeal, then top it with fruits such as ripe mangoes, berries, or honey for a sweet touch. You can also prepare a savory porridge or lugaw with oats replacing rice.
Compared to their instant oatmeal, Quaker's quick-cook oatmeal has a coarser texture, giving you a creamier and crunchier texture. It is high in fiber which slows your digestion and has beta-glucan, which assists in lowering cholesterol. Plus, it contains calcium, iron, and other essential nutrients for your overall health. With this 1-kg jar, you can enjoy whole-grain oatmeal with your family.
Bob's Red Mill may be new to our ears, but it is a credible brand that's recognized in other parts of the globe. In fact, this variant of their steel-cut oats has won the Golden Spurtle Award, an international porridge-making competition, twice—once in 2009 and again in 2016. Moreover, it is Kosher-certified, Non-GMO Project verified, and 100% organic.
These whole-grain oats are vegan-friendly, which means they don't contain eggs, dairy, or honey. They also have more fiber compared to other processed oats. As such, they provide a multitude of health benefits like reducing your cholesterol and stabilizing your blood sugar levels.
However, what makes this product unique is that it can be prepared in just 5-7 minutes, best for busy bees who want a nutritious meal. Alternately, you can use it to make overnight oats. With its coarser texture and nuttier flavor, you can enjoy a bowl of crunchy oatmeal regularly for a more energetic and productive day.
Another entry that's made from high-quality oats is this product from Captain Oats. They use natural and premium Australian oats that go through the OatiFresh™ process, which produces nutrient-rich oats that also taste good!
This is a great breakfast item since it is filling but has low sodium content and no cholesterol. It can also give you the energy to fuel your day. Aside from that, it can support your gut health because it has lots of dietary fiber. Moreover, it is a certified Halal food, so anyone can enjoy it.
Besides the typical oatmeal porridge, you can also use it to make oatmeal cookies and muesli. It can work well with savory dishes, too, like arr-oats caldo or paella. Plus, you can add this to ground meat as a binder and nutritious extender for Filipino meatloaves like embutido.
With all these ingredients combined, you get a rich source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and protein to keep you healthy. And if you're on a diet, you'll be glad to know that this oatmeal is low in fat and cholesterol-free, so you can consume it without any worries.
It is also good for the heart as it contains beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. All you need is hot water to enjoy this as a breakfast treat. Additionally, you can use it to make protein shakes or overnight oats by adding yogurt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and some walnuts to the oatmeal.
If you are looking for an extra special, hearty, and healthy breakfast with less prep time and effort, look no further, because Australia Harvest's Whole Rolled Oats are here! All you need is a pan of boiling water or milk and you're good to go!
The oats are lightly toasted, so you can taste crunchiness and nuttiness in every spoonful. They are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and beta-glucans to improve your heart condition and digestion, regulate your blood sugar, and lower your blood pressure.
Also, this product is Halal and Kosher-certified, GMO-free, and cholesterol-free. Thus, it is the ideal breakfast if you are on a diet or have cardiovascular issues. It only takes 10-12 minutes to cook—suitable for your busy morning routine.
Miss going up north to eat some delicious strawberries? Golden Oats can satisfy your cravings with its strawberries and cream-flavored oatmeal! They use Australian oats that are fortified with vitamin C, which strengthens our immune system to fight viral diseases. Vitamin C also aids in wound healing and keeps our blood vessels, bones, and teeth healthy.
It's very easy to prepare—simply add hot water and wait for 2 minutes; no need for a stove and pot! Apart from the usual breakfast oatmeal, you can also prepare overnight oats, smoothies, or no-bake protein bars by adding fresh strawberries, milk, nuts, and seeds to the oatmeal—perfect for a healthy merienda.
But to preserve their health benefits, the raw oats are heat-treated, producing enzyme-stabilized oat groats that contain more nutrients. Aside from eating them as is, rolled oats are perfect for baking, too! Prepare your hand mixer and oven to whip up chocolate chip oatmeal cookies or fruit-and-nut granola bars for your loved ones.
This product comes in a 1-kilogram pack—definitely sulit for the entire household! But do take note that these rolled oats contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy, in case you're allergic to any of these ingredients.
You're probably familiar with Kellogg's flagship products, Frosties and Froot Loops. Now, it offers its own instant oatmeal that everyone will enjoy! Made from 100% Australian oats, it is all-natural and cholesterol-free, a perfect choice for the health-conscious and those on a diet.
It is packed with dietary fibers needed to cleanse your digestive system. And with their high protein content, these whole-grain crunchy oats are suitable for your D.I.Y. protein bars before or after your workouts. To make it vegan-friendly, you can add berries or tropical fruits as a natural sweetener and pour some almond or coconut milk to taste.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Yes, eating thicker, bland food like oatmeal can help manage diarrhea. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber that absorbs excess water in your digestive tract, making your stool firmer.
Steel-cut oatmeal is best for weight loss since it is minimally processed and takes longer to digest. With its high fiber content, it can keep you full for hours. It also has less sugar compared to other types of oatmeal, so it is a great food to have when you're on a diet.
Yes, oatmeal is considered a carb. In fact, it is high in carbohydrates. But what makes it suitable for dieters? Oatmeal is a healthy carb that takes more time to digest, so you can feel satiated for longer. For additional nutrients, you can add fresh fruits, milk, or eggs to your oatmeal.
Craving for something sweet yet you want to discipline yourself by switching to a guilt-free diet? Worry not, as we also have articles on healthy snacks and desserts that you can check out. Just click the links below and consider adding our product recommendations to your virtual cart!
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Re-editor: Aprille Jarcia
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Quaker|Quick Cook Oatmeal
No. 2: Bob's Red Mill|Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats
No. 3: Captain Oats|Rolled Oats
No. 4: Quaker|Instant Oatmeal|Fruit & Nuts
No. 5: Australia Harvest|Whole Rolled Oats
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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