Anyone can tell you how much important the breakfast meal is. But can anyone tell you just what is the best option to kick start your new day? You’ll hardly get any credible answers—after almost people turn to fatty sausages, and chocolate covered cereals for breakfast.
Buckwheat and oatmeal are some of the best options for a quick and nutritious breakfast. Unlike fruits and yogurt that can lead to a rumbling stomach if taken on an empty stomach, either oatmeal or buckwheat are healthier and more filling options.
In this article, we’ll delve into the nutrition and ways you can enjoy each without overdoing.
What is the buckwheat?
You might think buckwheat is a new genetically modified strain, but then you’d be wrong. Despite the recent rise in hype about this cereals, it has been with us for millennia. Buckwheat is actually an ancient grain popular among the Asian and Eastern Europe cultures. The grain has just found its way into the west, thanks to its robust nutritional profile.
So what is buckwheat? Buckwheat is a fruit seed, and not a cereal grain as one might assume. It is closely related to sorrel and rhubarb. It is the high percentage of complex carbohydrates that makes the seed sometimes referred to pseudo-cereal.
Buckwheat substitution
For substitution, you can use this pseudo-grain in place of rice or wheat, and even couscous, pasta and bulgur. The best thing is that its gluten-free, so you don’t have to worry about gluten-sensitivity, or such dietary restrictions as with coeliac disease.
Types of buckwheat
You can find buckwheat an any of the various forms including buckwheat flour, buckwheat noodles, buckwheat groats(seeds), and buckwheat pasta.
Should you opt for the groats, you can purchase them raw, toasted (kasha), or sprouted. The toasted variant has a characteristic earthy and nutty flavor compared to the raw version.
The seeds are also more commonly available, unlike the noodles and pasta which you’ll most likely find in health food shops, and at quite a price.
What is in buckwheat?
Buckwheat is a gluten-free seed that is high in protein, fiber and other nutrients.
Buckwheat is not a grain but a fruit seed that belongs to the same family as rhubarb, sorrel, and dock. Buckwheat seeds are harvested in late summer or early fall and then dried. They are roasted before they are used for cooking.
The Japanese call buckwheat “soba” which means “little buckwheat” because it is smaller than wheat kernels and has a milder flavor. Buckwheat flour can be used to make noodles, crepes, pancakes, waffles, dumplings and buns.
What is buckwheat used for?
Buckwheat is a cereal grain that is used to make flour and noodles. It is also used as animal feed, for garden mulch, and in making soba noodles.
Buckwheat is a cereal grain that is used to make flour and noodles. It has been cultivated for over 2000 years and was one of the first crops to be domesticated in Russia. Buckwheat can be eaten as a porridge or dry toast, or ground into flour for breads, cakes, cookies, pancakes, waffles, and pasta. Buckwheat can also be sprouted into soba noodles.
Buckwheat has many health benefits including reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and helping with weight loss by controlling blood sugar levels.
Is buckwheat good for you?
Buckwheat is a gluten-free grain that has been used for centuries. It has been traditionally used to make soba noodles, pancakes and dumplings.
Buckwheat can be cooked in the same way as rice, quinoa or millet. It is also high in protein and fiber. One cup of cooked buckwheat contains 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
Buckwheat is also a good source of magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc and selenium. So, if you have been wondering it is good or not, the answer is a definite YES.
However, too much of anything turns out badly. Sometimes, you may encounter certain side effects from consuming buckwheat. Let’s look at these next.
What are the side effects of eating buckwheat?
Buckwheat is a relatively healthy food whose allergic reactions are very rare. However, if you are allergic to this grains, you may experience hives and swelling in the mouth after consuming it.
What is oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a cereal food made from oats that has been cooked in water or milk. The oats in this case are whole grain known as oat groats. Scientifically the oat is referred to as Avena sativa.
Whole oat grains take centuries to cook. This is why we have rolled, steel-cut, and crushed oats in the market. The more processed the oats are, the lesser time they take to cook. Instant oats are the winner in this race. However, an extra minute on top of the recommended time, and you could end up with a mushy mess.
Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast choice, and can be served with toppings like honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, fruit, nuts and seeds.
Types of oats
There are also many different types of oatmeal: steel-cut oats, rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick), instant oatmeal (microwavable packets) and more. Some people like to cook their oatmeal with fruits like apples or raisins to add flavor.
What is in oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a type of cereal that is made from oat grains. It can be served hot or cold, with or without additional ingredients such as sugar, fruit, dairy products, or spices.
Oatmeal contains protein and dietary fiber and it also provides many essential nutrients like iron, calcium, manganese, zinc and B vitamins.
The following are the nutrients found in oatmeal:
– Protein:
Oatmeal contains about 5 grams of protein per serving which is about 17% of the daily recommended intake for adults. Protein helps support muscle growth and repair.
– Dietary Fiber:
One cup of cooked oatmeal contains about 4 grams of dietary fiber which is about 16% of the daily recommended intake for adults.
– Iron:
A cup of cooked oatmeal contains about 3.2 milligrams of iron which is about 14% of the daily recommended intake for adults.
– Phytosterols:
One serving of cooked oatmeal offers 0.3 milligrams of plant sterols which are plant compounds that may help reduce cholesterol levels and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels in the body.
– Potassium:
One serving of cooked oatmeal offers 137 milligrams of potassium, which is an important electrolyte that can help maintain fluid balance and cardiac function.
What are the benefits of eating oatmeal before going to bed?
Oatmeal is believed to be a natural and healthy way to sleep better. Studies have shown that eating oatmeal before bed can help you get more restful sleep.
This is mainly because oats are a source of melatonin which has been shown to improve the efficiency of sleeping.
It is recommended that you eat about 30 grams of oatmeal before going to sleep. This should be enough for you to get the benefits of the food, without feeling too full or stuffed after your meal. You can also serve them warm for a better experience.
Buckwheat vs oatmeal for bodybuilding
Both buckwheat and oatmeal are nutritious foods, not only for breakfast, but also for bodybuilding. This doesn’t mean they are equally as good for the job- buckwheat takes the lead.
At a glance, buckwheat is more endowed with B vitamins (B2, B3, and B5), minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and copper, and still has a lower glycemic index. Although oats have more calcium, iron and vitamins B1 and A, buckwheat is still more affordable and more nutritionally fit for bodybuilding.
What does oatmeal do to your body?
Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast food because it contains soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal also has a low glycemic index, which means it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels like other sugary foods do.
Oatmeal is also rich in other essential nutrients needed for different bodily functions.
The downside to oatmeal is that it can be high in calories and fat if you add butter or cream to it, so be careful not to overdo it with toppings!
Which is healthier oatmeal or buckwheat?
The answer to this question is complicated. A lot of factors come into play when you’re trying to determine which is healthier.
For example, buckwheat contains more protein than oats, so if you need more protein in your diet than oats might be the better option for you. But on the other hand, oatmeal has less sugar than buckwheat, so if you’re trying to lose weight then oatmeal might be a better choice for you.
Still, buckwheat has more vitamins, potassium and fiber than oatmeal, but falls short of saturated fats.
In conclusion, it really depends on what your goals are for eating healthy and what your dietary restrictions are.
Buckwheat nutritional facts
Buckwheat is a gluten-free grain, making it a great substitute for wheat flour in baking. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals. A 168-grams cup of buckwheat contains:
| Ingredients | Qty |
| Calories | 155 |
| Protein | 5.7 grams |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 4.5 grams |
| Sugars | 1.5 grams |
| Total fat | 1 gram |
| Saturated fat | 0.2 grams |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.3 grams |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0.3 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 6.7 mg |
| Potassium | 148 mg |
| Phosphorus | 118 mg |
| Magnesium | 86 mg |
| Calcium | 12 mg |
| Iron | 1.34 mg |
The nutritional value of oatmeal
Oatmeal is a breakfast food that is high in fiber and protein. It is also rich in vitamin B, potassium and magnesium. A 234-grams cup serving contains:
| Ingredients | Qty |
| Calories | 166 |
| Protein | 5.9 grams |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 4 grams |
| Sugars | 0.6 grams |
| Total fat | 3.6 grams |
| Saturated fat | 0.7 grams |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 1.3 grams |
| Monounsaturated fat | 1 gram |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 9.4 mg |
| Potassium | 164 mg |
| Phosphorus | 118 mg |
| Calcium | 187.2 mg |
| Iron | 14 mg |
| Magnesium | 60.8 mg |
Video: Know 6 Things Buckwheat Groats are Good For
Frequently Asked Questions
What is buckwheat cereal?
Buckwheat is a cereal grain that is a member of the Polygonaceae family. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is native to East Asia, primarily in China and Japan.
Buckwheat can be consumed as a cereal grain or used as an ingredient in many dishes. It is also used to make noodles and flour for breads. Buckwheat seeds are known as buckwheat groats when they have been dehulled (dehusked).
Is buckwheat easy to digest?
Buckwheat is a food that is easy to digest, due to the fact that it contains soluble fiber which helps the body break down foods.
Is buckwheat anti-inflammatory?
Buckwheat has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. It contains bioactive components, and has since become common in the treatment of IBDs.
Is eating oatmeal everyday bad for you?
Eating oatmeal every day is not bad for you. It provides a lot of benefits, such as being high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Is raw buckwheat good for you?
Yes, you can enjoy raw buckwheat. However, in order to make digestion easier, you need to soak the raw groats for about an hour and drain the water.
Final Words:
Buckwheat and oatmeal are among the ideal breakfast foods that take no skill to prepare. Wondering which is better for you? You can compare the nutritional value of both to get an idea of the perfect option, or you could also have both for different days.