Oats are healthy – that’s clear. Are the so-called oat days automatically the same? We explain the background of the nutritional trend.
There are always new trends emerging that promise to be the ultimate secret to weight loss and health. One of these trends that has recently gained more attention is the so-called “oat days”. But what exactly is behind this concept and is it really as effective as it is claimed to be?
What are oat days?
Oat days, also known as oat cures, aim to improve blood sugar levels. As the name suggests, you eat mainly oats for one to three days. Depending on the instructions, this is 60 to 80 grams of oatmeal three times a day, explains Pharmacy Umschau.
These can be boiled in water or broth, or soaked overnight. When completely raw and unsoaked, oat flakes are less healthy because of the anti-nutrient phytic acid they contain. This prevents us from absorbing the nutrients it contains.
The plan for the oat days stipulates that the meals can be spiced, for example with cinnamon or vanilla. However, no other supplements are provided. Proteins and fats in particular are unforeseen during the oat days.
Alternatively, there are also the so-called moderate or modified oat days, with which those interested can try out the cure. A small amount of healthy foods such as vegetables, berries or nuts can be eaten with the oatmeal.
Snacks affect the effect of oat days. So you should avoid these if you are aiming for an oat diet. Also important as always: drink enough! Preferably unsweetened tea or water.
Are oat days really healthy?
(Photo: CC0 / Unsplash / Mae Mu)
Oatmeal is very healthy. However, health-conscious people typically eat them with (plant-based) yogurt, berries, nuts, nut butter or other side dishes. While this can be part of a balanced diet, the idea of oat days is different.
Oatmeal contains a particularly high amount of beta-glucan. The fiber causes cells to react more sensitively to insulin. This lowers the blood sugar level.
Diabetologist and nutritional doctor Dr. explained to the Pharmacy Review. Winfried Keuthage other advantages: “Beta-glucan lowers the pH value in the colon, which hinders the growth of bad bacterial strains and stimulates the proliferation of good bacterial strains.”
Oat days can be a suitable way to regulate blood sugar, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease. According to Keuthage, thanks to its mode of action, the oat treatment is also suitable for completely healthy people to lose weight healthily and effectively.
How often should I do oat days?
The oat days offer a lot of nutrients, so they are something completely different for the body than, for example, a radical diet such as the “zero diet” or the “rice diet”. So most people can repeat them every six to eight weeks without any problems.
The German Diabetes Aid even recommends the following variants:
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two oat days weekly over a period of four to eight weeks
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regular repetition of the classic oat treatment after four to eight weeks
- as a long-term treatment: six “oat meals” per week or in the form of an “oat day”
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Incorporate oats into your regular diet, for example with recipes such as oat yoghurt, oatmeal schnitzel or homemade porridge
Is oat milk okay too?
During oat days, it is not recommended to cook or soak the oat flakes in oat milk. The amount of oat flakes should also not be replaced with oat milk. Due to processing, it does not provide the same nutrients as oatmeal itself.
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Additionally, it is more difficult to control the right amount of oatmeal per meal when you use oat milk, because it is of course partly oatmeal itself. It’s better to stick to water when processing the oat flakes if you really want to go through the oat days.
Do oat days also work gluten-free?
Yes, because oatmeal itself is actually gluten-free. If you have a strong gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, it is also worth paying attention to the production: there could be traces of other grains in the oatmeal package, which could cause problems. Only brands that can exclude even the smallest gluten contamination are suitable in this case.
Conclusion on the oat days
Oat days can be a useful cure for both healthy and sick people. No risks are described by the German Diabetes Aid. As with any dietary change, you should still seek medical advice before attempting it.
What you can do in any case is to incorporate healthy grains into your varied diet plan. Get inspired by the following recipes, for example:
- Wonder Bread: It’s that easy without flour and yeast
- Oatmeal Cake Recipe: Easy and filling
- Oatmeal waffles: A recipe for hearty waffles
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