Why Should You Avoid Eating Oatmeal for Breakfast? Insights from an Ayurveda Health Expert

Oatmeal has long been a popular breakfast choice, praised for its heart-healthy benefits and high fiber content that helps keep you full longer. Its versatility allows for a variety of ingredients such as fruits and vegetables to be added, making it a favored morning staple. However, an alternative perspective suggests that oatmeal might not be as healthy as it seems.

According to Ayurvedic Health Coach and author Dr. Dimple Jangda, there are three primary reasons to reconsider oatmeal as your breakfast choice:

Packed with Starch and Sugar:

Oatmeal is high in starch and sugar, which can cause a spike in insulin levels. Dr. Jangda notes that this can also increase cortisol and adrenaline levels.

Sprayed with Glyphosates:

Many commercially available oatmeals are sprayed with glyphosates, a herbicide used to kill broadleaf plants and grasses during the storage process. Consuming such oatmeal means ingesting these chemicals, which can interfere with your endocrine health.

Mold Contamination:

During storage and transportation, oats can develop mold. This mold can produce aflatoxins and mycotoxins, which are harmful to the liver and kidneys.

Alternative Breakfast Options

If you should avoid oatmeal, what should you eat instead? Dr. Dimple Jangda recommends incorporating millets into your breakfast for a healthier start to your day. Millets offer a range of health benefits and can be prepared in various delicious ways.

Types of Millets:

Kodo Millet

Sorghum Millet (Jowar)

Proso Millet (Chena/Barri)

Pearl Millet (Bajra)

Foxtail Millet (Kakum/Kangni)

Finger Millet (Ragi)

Browntop Millet (Korle)

Barnyard Millet (Sanwa)

Little Millet (Moraiyo)

Dr. Jangda suggests cooking millets with water and lentils to increase the protein and amino acid content, which can aid in digestion and weight management.

Millet Recipes to Try at Home

Here are some millet-based recipes that are easy to prepare and highly nutritious:

Mixed Millet Bhel Puri:

A light and low-fat snack made with ragi, peanuts, amaranth, and other millets, combined with potatoes, tomatoes, lemon juice, and chillies. Top with moringa powder, chaat masala, and green chutney for added flavor.

Ragi Wheat Dosa:

A simple and crispy dosa made with ragi and wheat flour. Serve with chutney and sambar for a healthy breakfast or lunch.

Foxtail Millet Porridge:

A quick and nutritious porridge packed with iron, minerals, proteins, and fiber. Add your favorite fruits, nuts, and seeds for a delicious meal.

Baked Ragi Chakli:

A crispy and tasty snack made with ragi flour. These chaklis, also known as murukku, can be stored in an airtight jar to maintain freshness.