Have you recently been eating oatmeal for breakfast and want to know how long it takes your body to digest it?
Maybe you are looking for food that keeps you feeling fuller for longer and want to know if oatmeal is the right choice?
Or are you curious and want to know more? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We all want to know how long our food will keep us full for and when we start to digest it.
After all, if food digests quickly, we will be feeling hungry quickly, leaving you eating more and more, which does nothing for our food bill!
So we look for food that takes a long time to digest, with eyes turning to our favorite foods.
Foods like oatmeal are a staple in households across the country, but how long does it take to digest? Well, you can find out today!
Check out our guide as we walk you through how long oatmeal takes to digest and everything you need to know about it!
What Is Oatmeal?
Before we get into today’s article, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it! Oatmeal is a warm dish, usually served for breakfast.
It is made with rolled oats or steel-cut oats heated with water or milk until the oats and liquid mix to become a thick and creamy consistency.
Oatmeal is usually heated over a stove for a few minutes until it has reached your desired consistency.
Oatmeal is an easy dish to customize, with fruit, honey, cinnamon, or other spices that allow you to create a dish that tastes perfect to you!
As oats are a healthy grain packed full of vitamins and minerals, it is a popular dish enjoyed for breakfast, especially if you are looking for a healthy option.
Whether you are making healthier choices or looking for a warm breakfast to leave you feeling warm and happy, oatmeal is the dish for you!
Now that we have briefly established what oatmeal is, let’s move on and see how long it will take your body to digest it.
How Long Does Oatmeal Take To Digest?
On average, oatmeal takes between two and three hours to digest. Oatmeal is a complex carb, which means it takes you longer to digest than simple carb dishes (Find out Is Oatmeal Keto? here).
Oatmeal also has fiber in it, which also aids digestion. The combination of complex carbs and fiber means that oatmeal can digest fairly quickly. So if you eat your morning oatmeal at 7.30, you can expect it to be digested around 10 am.
How you make oatmeal will also play a role in how it is digested. If you are adding fruit, dates, or other ingredients that might be slower to digest, then that will impact the overall time it takes your food to digest.
For example, if you add more protein or fiber to your oatmeal, then it will take your body longer to digest and break down the oatmeal.
When adding food to your oatmeal, be sure to check out how long those items take to digest to see how it will impact the digestion of your oatmeal.
Adding a chopped banana or some protein powder to your oatmeal will slow the digestion down, add more calories to the meal, and some extra nutrition too!
You can use the nutritional information on the packaging of any food you add to work out the nutritional value of the oatmeal if you like to keep track of it.
If not, you can pair your oatmeal with some fruit like strawberries, seasonal berries, or a banana to ensure your body is fuelled with the nutrients that it needs!
How Long Does Oatmeal Keep You Full For?
Oatmeal should keep you full for a few hours! If you have it for breakfast, then you should start to feel hungry again in a few hours.
For example, if you eat your oatmeal at 7.30, you might be hungry and looking for a snack around 11 am, the standard time for a mid-morning snack.
Of course, this will vary depending on how you have made your oatmeal and if you have added fruit or protein to your oatmeal.
But usually, we see people saying they tend to feel full for three to four hours. This is especially true if you make your oatmeal with milk and add some fruit to the top of your oatmeal.
By doing so, not only do you feel fuller for longer, but you are getting additional minerals and vitamins in your body, what more could you want?
If you find that your oatmeal isn’t keeping you full for that long, then you will want to look at how you make it and what you are adding to it. Oatmeal made with water doesn’t always fill you up for long.
By using milk, your oatmeal will be a thicker consistency and you get some added calcium in your diet!
This is true if you use plant-based milk too, just make sure you look out for one that is fortified with calcium. You can also add a banana to the top of your oatmeal, or enjoy one after to help you feel fuller for longer.
If you aren’t sure what you can add to your oatmeal, be sure to check out oatmeal recipes online. These are an excellent way to get some inspiration and find new and creative ways to jazz up your oatmeal!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, oatmeal takes between two and three hours to digest. This does vary depending on how you prepare your oatmeal and any fruit or protein that you add to the oatmeal.
By adding fruit or a scoop of protein powder to your oatmeal, you can help yourself feel fuller for longer and get some extra nutrients into your body.
Why not add something new to your oatmeal today and see the difference it makes?
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