Valentine’s Day is all about being delicious, hot and steamy, and what better way to start Valentine’s Day than with a bowl of hot and steamy porridge.  Not only is it good for the soul, but also extremely good for the body.
The whole grain is known as an oat groat.  This can be ground to produce oatmeal or rolled into flakes after being partially cooked by steam.  Milling removes most of the outer husk from the oat groat, but leaves the germ relatively intact so oatmeal is relatively high in protein and good oils.  Although the unstable oil allows oats to turn rancid faster than other grains, unless as with oat flakes, it was steamed before packaging.

Oats in animal food are renowned for their energy and strength giving properties, race horses are very lively due to their oat rich diet.  Not only do they give humans energy and strength, but they also have remarkable healing powers.  When the ears are just beginning to form on top of the stalks, this grass is juicy and just breaking into flower, and is richest in avenin, which is a wonderful nutrient for the cells of the nervous system.  This helps keep you calm and energised and is particularly good for children and sensitive people.  Oats also contain tryptophan, which helps make the ‘happiness’ hormone serotonin in the body.

The soluble fibre in oats is supposed to be particularly beneficial for reducing blood cholesterol levels, as it binds to it in the intestine and helps to ‘escort’ it out of the body.  Like rye, barley and wheat, oats contain gluten so need to be avoided if you are a coeliac.  Oats are richer in fats and minerals than other cereals and their protein content is also high.  Oatmeal contains approximately 22% protein, 66% carbohydrate and 9% good oils.

Every winter’s morning is better after a bowl of delicious and nutritious hot and steamy porridge.