Start Your Day Right

I eat oatmeal every day and recently began using steel cut oats soaked in water for 12 hours before cooking. The rest of my breakfast is 2 eggs whipped into the oatmeal and some available fruit. I am convinced the oatmeal contributes to good artery health and endolethial tissue maintenance. At 74, I have no heart problems which killed my forbears and cousins at much younger ages. Thanks to Mayo for running this forum.

@dwlowrance Oatmeal is one of my "go-to"s for breakfast, also! I soak steel cut oats in an oat drink, and after heating the mixture up [during the winter] I will sometimes add available fruit or a spoonful of homemade jam.

Being the adventurous type, I often will have lunch for breakfast, then breakfast for lunch! Seems to start my day on a good note. Great to hear you have a healthy heart at 74!
Ginger

Hello I have been eating more oatmeal now with PBC diagnosis. I cook old fashioned 3-4 servings at a time with cinnamon in the water and have it for the week. Then microwave add some honey, blueberries, walnuts and skim milk. Have never used steel oats, are they healthier?

Hello @gema98

That sounds like a delicious and easy breakfast. I have used steel oats, I'm not sure about whether or not they are healthier. They have a different texture and take a long time to cook. Here is an article that you might find interesting from Medical News Today. It compares the two, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rolled-vs-steel-cut-oats#how-to-choose.

Gema, have you made other diet changes with respect to your PBC diagnosis?

Thank you for the info! I forgot to add I also cook chia seeds and ground flax into oatmeal. I’ve made a drastic change to my diet! It’s been hard especially since I moved into town after my husband passed last year and can smell fast foods when I go outside. I no longer eat beef, pork, chips, sweets, fats and it’s been hard! Have lost 70lbs this past year lots of sadness and not knowing what to eat for sure. So now more fruit, veggies, beans, luckily still ok to have whole grains.

@gema98

Hi,

Steel cut oats are not as processed as the other oats….they take longer to digest and have a lower glycemic index (sugar) and slightly more fiber….so make keep you feeling fuller longer . I always use steel cut…prefer the texture….and make enough for 3 or 4 days also. I think quick oats are the most processed type. If you try steel cut…don’t use the quick type. The only time I use regular processed oats are in some muffin recipes.
I think you will like the texture of steel cut better…it’s not mushy….just make sure to cook it long enough. I get mine in bulk at Sprouts. So yes, it is a little healthier.

FL Mary

FL Mary

Hello again @gema98

I am so sorry to hear of your husband's death. Please accept my condolences. You have certainly had a lot of changes in the past year with his death and your move. If you are interested in grief support, I would encourage you to join Connect's discussion group on Grief and Loss. Here is the link to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/.

It is wonderful that you are following such a great eating plan. That must have been difficult with so many other changes going on in your life.

Gema, do you have a strong support group in your new town? I'm thinking of family and other community and/or church activities.

Thank you

Thank you, it has been a hard year and add Covid to all our lives has made life worse! Our daughter lives close and of course works full time, we have a son but he and family @3 hours away. I have met 2 neighbors this summer which is nice as we had always lived in country before.

@gema98,

It sounds as if you are adjusting to all of the changes in your life and you are in a community with friends and family. I'm glad to hear that.

In addition to the Loss & Grief group, Connect also has a discussion group for PSC which you might find interesting and helpful. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/psc/.

Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.