Oats and Muesli: Which one should you go for?

Both Oats & Muesli are very popular breakfast options. There are people who promise that having oats daily will keep one healthy and there are those who can’t leave for work without first having a hearty bowl of muesli. Did you ever wonder which is better for health between oats and muesli? If you are looking for a go-to breakfast option, read this article before running to the grocery store or supermarket to buy your packet of oats or muesli.

What is Oats?

Oats is a grain whose scientific name is Avena sativa. Oats have been used over many years in multiple communities as a staple food in the form of porridge etc. Its nutrient value is not unknown. Whole oats are very difficult to cook as they take a long time to become soft and edible. The instant oats that we get in the stores are either rolled or crushed or processed in some other way. A bowl of oats contains approximately 117 calories. It also contains 13 grams of protein and 8 grams of fibre.

What is Muesli?

Muesli is an instant breakfast option that is basically a mixture of rolled out oats, dried nuts, dried fruits, other grains, wheat flakes, nutritious seeds etc. Muesli is generally eaten cold with milk and fresh fruits or just milk. A bowl of muesli contains approximately 289 calories and 8 grams of protein and 8 grams of fibre.

To determine whether oats or muesli is a better breakfast option, one should consider the following points –

• Muesli comes in a ready-to-eat form. One just needs to pour some milk on a bowl of muesli to consume it. Oats, on the other hand, needs to be cooked in milk or with vegetables for human consumption.
• Oats contains low calories but is high in protein and fibre. This makes oats a better option for those who want to reduce weight.
• A bowl of oats is loaded with soluble and insoluble fibre. This has multiple benefits like relieving constipation, lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels and making one feel fuller for longer.
• Oats also contains minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are necessary for the body. These components include magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron, selenium etc.
• Muesli is also rich in fibre and contains omega-3 fatty acids which are very important for health. Muesli is more calorific than oats due to the presence of dried nuts and fruits. However, it has low amounts of saturated fat and low glycemic index. Carbohydrate content in muesli is higher than the carbohydrate content in oats.

The Final Verdict

Both oats and muesli are healthy breakfast options. Oats have been consumed by man for a long time in history due to its nutrient value. Muesli was first introduced in the 1900s, first as an appetizer and then a breakfast cereal. Low calorie and carbohydrate content and high protein and fibre content make oats one of the healthiest breakfast options. However, muesli is not unhealthy. Compared to other breakfast cereals, muesli contains less added sugar and very low saturated or unhealthy fat.

Oats is a healthy as well as hearty breakfast option that also does not take very long to prepare. But if you are put off by the bland taste of oats, the next best option is muesli. It is way healthier than instant noodles or cornflakes.