The most common use of oats in food is still hot oatmeal, but oatmeal cookies are gaining fast. Long touted as the healthy alternative to high-sugar, high-fat cookie recipes, oatmeal cookies can be extremely nutritious as well as delicious. Good for breakfast or dessert, you will be surprised at the number of places oatmeal cookies turn up.
History
Oatmeal cookies first made an appearance during Rome's attempts to conquer England. The English and the Scots carried oatmeal cakes in their saddlebags to provide quick energy during the conflict. The Romans scoffed at this practice, referring to the fact that oats were, at the time, intended only for consumption by horses. However, they soon realized that their rivals might be on to something as the conflict dragged on and on. Oatmeal cookies in various forms have been popular since that time, and several years ago April 30 was designated National Day.
Types
There are many types of oatmeal cookie. They can be made with a variety of oats, such as old fashioned oats, quick cooking oats, oat bran or oat flour. Then, of course, they can be mixed with fruits, nuts and sugar substitute for a healthy breakfast cookie or be accompanied by chocolate chips and other candies to make a cookie that is no better for you than the richest piece of cake. Either way, oatmeal cookies are easy to make, delightful to eat and easy to digest.
Benefits
Fortunately for dessert lovers, oatmeal cookies have some documented . A diet high in oats can help lower cholesterol, which is good for cardiovascular health. Also, oatmeal is high in fiber, which is good for bones and digestive systems. Furthermore, oatmeal is a good source for vitamin E, iron and protein.
Features
The oatmeal cookie has several distinct features that are almost universally regarded as desirable. Generally, it should be chewy and moist, but hold together even while still warm. It should be sweet, but not sickeningly so, and it can have a natural sweetness derived largely from raisins or other dried fruits rather than sugar. Oatmeal cookies can contain multiple additions like dried cranberries, raisins, bananas and chocolate chips, but you should always go light on the sugary treats to preserve the wholesome nature of the cookie.
Theories/Speculation
There are a lot of theories about the health benefits of oatmeal as well as proven facts. For example, the American Cancer Society believes that eating a cup of oatmeal each day can seriously boost the levels of insoluble fiber in your body, and this type of fiber is believed to combat cancer.
Function
fill a variety of roles in your daily food intake. For example, low-sugar versions are ideal for a quick breakfast and also fill the role of energy-boosting snack for children in school or playing hard. More elaborate, gourmet versions make a tasty, familiar yet exotic treat to end a meal on just the right note.
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