You may have heard that oatmeal is good for muscle building, but is this really so? In this article we will discuss how good oatmeal is for muscle building and why you should or should not eat oatmeal.
When is a meal good for muscle building?
When it comes to food, the amount of protein a meal contains is the most important, because you need enough protein to recover from training. For an average person, we can say that 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal is a nice amount of protein. It is also important that the meal is healthy, so that you can perform optimally during training and you get all the micronutrients you need.
How much protein is in oatmeal?
Per 100 grams, oatmeal contains 59.4 grams of carbohydrates, 1.1 grams of which are sugar. It also contains 9 grams of fiber. In addition, it provides 12.3 grams of protein. Oatmeal also provides some fat, namely 7.5 grams of fat per 100 grams. This fat is mainly unsaturated fat.
This means that oatmeal is especially a good source of carbohydrates. You will have to eat a fair amount of oatmeal to get enough protein. Oatmeal fills up fairly quickly, so eating oatmeal is not the most efficient way to get a lot of protein.
Is oatmeal healthy?
Oatmeal may not be the most efficient food for muscle mass, but oatmeal is very healthy. Oatmeal contains many essential vitamins and minerals. Here are the main ones:
- Saponin: This binds to your cholesterol and enamel.
- Silicon: This is good for your connective tissue and bones.
- Magnesium: Has many functions in the body including bone and teeth formation. It is also important for normal muscle function and for the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Iron: Is important for oxygen and blood transport.
- Vitamin K: Is important for bones and blood clotting.
- Vitamin E: Is important for muscle and tissue
- Vitamin B1: Is needed to release energy from foods.
- Vitamin B2: Important for healthy skin and mucous membranes.
- Vitamin B6: Important for proper functioning of the nervous system and for the production of red blood cells.
- Vitamin B11: Similar function to vitamin B6.
- When eating oatmeal as a porridge with water or warm milk, you can add a scoop of protein. This will give the oatmeal extra flavor and increase the amount of protein in your meal.
- You could put oatmeal through your cottage cheese or through your Greek yogurt.
- You could use oatmeal in a protein shake.
How do I optimize a meal with oatmeal for muscle building?
Oatmeal contains some protein, but not a lot. Still, oatmeal is very healthy and a good addition to your diet. There are several ways to incorporate oatmeal into your meal along with a ton of protein. You can think of:
There are many more recipes and other ways to add oatmeal to your diet on the internet. Do your research and be creative!