Lately I have been devouring boxes of oatmeal for breakfast (the oatmeal, anyway - not the box) instead of Kashi.
Each time I've gone to the store to restock, I've looked at the steel cut oats but walked out with the usual old-fashioned oats (not the quick cooking kind). The issue with me has been money. Today I purchased an 18 oz box for 99¢ vs the $4.39 a 24 oz box of steel-cut would have been. Both were the store brand rather than name brand.
What is so special about the steel cut that warrants that kind of price increase? Am I spiting myself by watching the wallet instead of the cereal?
BTW, in addition to McCann's Original steel-cut oatmeal, the company has a Quick & Easy steel-cut version. The latter is cut into smaller sized pieces, for quicker cooking. The original still gets my vote for Best Texture.
The company also makes rolled oat products, so it takes a bit of label reading to get the right thing.
Posts: 2314 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I'll have to look in the bulk section to see if there is a big price difference between steel cut and rolled oats.
I like both. Although I go with rolled oats most of the time because they are a bit more convenient.
Oatmeal and an egg white omelette with some sauteed veggies has become my favorite breakfast. I've had it just about every day for the last 2 months. It fills me up and keeps me going.
Unfortunately, I can't speak on the difference between steelcut oats and rolled oats based on personal experience. But what I can tell you from a technical standpoint is that rolled oats are just that....they are the hulled oat groats that have been rolled to become flat. The steelcut oats are the hulled oat groats (berries) that have simply been cut (much like cracked wheat) rather than being rolled. Which is why it takes so much longer to cook, and gives you a different texture.
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3139 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by cobismom: Linda, I don't think you are either. I believe that steelcut oats means that they were ground with a steel grinder rather than wood or other material. I don't believe there is a difference, at least not to warrant that much $$ difference.
Here is another kicker for you....one I certainly don't understand about oatmeal. WW sells individual servings of oatmeal in a microwave container, much like individual soup servings. There are four to a package, about 4 cups worth of oatmeal total) The cost is over $5....now we know from what you have said that oatmeal can be bought for less than $1.50 for a large container. Divide that up into portions, and I know you will get more than four, put it in a microwavable dish, and you can carry it to work and have the same thing. What's the sense? I have to watch those pennies, and won't buy products that waste my money in such a way, especially if there is a better, cheaper way to do it. Being healthy doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, if you shop smart.
Exactly, Cathy! Not to mention the additional waste going into our landfills with the additional packaging, and the entire impact on the environment from the manufacturing of the plastic.
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3139 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
Dd likes the steel-cut oats because of the texture. She says the regular oatmeal is too much like baby food.
Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oatmeal is her favorite brand right now. It is not steel-cut oats but doesn't taste like baby food either. It is not as chewy as the steel cut oats.
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 3959 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by cobismom: WW sells individual servings of oatmeal in a microwave container, much like individual soup servings. There are four to a package, about 4 cups worth of oatmeal total) The cost is over $5....
Being healthy doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, if you shop smart.
At one point in my life, I bought the individual packages Quaker produces. I thought I was saving time by using the microwave packets. Then, I discovered that often, depending on the brand, there is absolutely no time difference between microwave oatmeal and rolled oats! Add to this, the absence of flavorings and sugars, I'll take my rolled oats!
I would like to try steel-oats sometime. Maybe I'll find them in a single serving variety just to try.
Thanks for the advice, Laura, Cathy, Denise and Sheltiguy.
I eat steel-cut oats, because I prefer their texture. I doubt that there is any nutritional difference.
From a manufacturer of steel-cut oats:
"Why Steel-cut Oats?
Steel-Cut Oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into two or three pieces using steel discs. Golden in colour and resembling mini rice particles, they are as nature intended – nothing added and nothing taken out.
How are they different from Rolled Oats?
Rolled oats are flake oats that have been steamed, rolled, re-steamed and toasted. Due to all of this additional processing they have lost some of their natural taste, goodness and texture."
I think that steel cut oats has a texture sort-of-kind-of like brown rice or barley.
If you are looking for change in hot cereal... you could cook up either rice or barley and have it with milk and sugar or fruit or however you like your hot cereal.
I'm pretty sure that both brown rice and barley are cheaper than steel cut oats... and you can use them for dinner, too.
I suppose one COULD eat steel cut oats as a dinner side dish... but I never have.
Linda, I don't think you are either. I believe that steelcut oats means that they were ground with a steel grinder rather than wood or other material. I don't believe there is a difference, at least not to warrant that much $$ difference.
Here is another kicker for you....one I certainly don't understand about oatmeal. WW sells individual servings of oatmeal in a microwave container, much like individual soup servings. There are four to a package, about 4 cups worth of oatmeal total) The cost is over $5....now we know from what you have said that oatmeal can be bought for less than $1.50 for a large container. Divide that up into portions, and I know you will get more than four, put it in a microwavable dish, and you can carry it to work and have the same thing. What's the sense? I have to watch those pennies, and won't buy products that waste my money in such a way, especially if there is a better, cheaper way to do it. Being healthy doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, if you shop smart.
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3461 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
I don't think you are. Oatmeal is oatmeal. I think the main difference is texture when cooked. I don't buy the steel cut oats for the same reason as you. I just can't justify the difference in price.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
