Oats vs Muesli: Find out which is better for weight loss?

Oats and muesli are cereals are two common healthy breakfast options.

These two food products have always been in the limelight whenever someone wants to lose weight but confusion or say an argument called, ‘which is better’ also comes added while discussing these two topics.

So let’s get to the root of it and end this confusion here.

What is the difference between the two?
Both oats and muesli are cereals made primarily from whole grains and both are delicious. The biggest difference between the two is that muesli is ready to eat cereal whereas oats need to be cooked. Muesli is primarily made of oats and flakes like bran flakes or cornflakes and oats are made from rolled seeds of oats grass. The other difference is, muesli is mostly eaten cold, though you always have the option to cook it, whereas oatmeal is eaten warm.

Nutritional Value
Oats is rich in key nutrients, protein and fibre, but muesli has comparatively higher protein and nutrient due to presence of additional ingredients in it. But unlike oats, muesli also has added sugar which somehow eliminates all the good properties. But you can always search for a no-sugar variant of muesli and it’s the best. Since oats have low calories and fats, they could serve as the perfect option for you if you’re looking to lose fat.

Benefits
Muesli: It’s high in fibre and whole grains, both of which are good for the digestive system as fibre and whole grains regulate our digestive tract. Unlike oats, muesli is an extremely filling breakfast that takes a long time to digest. Muesli contains an oat fibre called beta-glucan which helps in reducing cholesterol levels by up to 10 per cent making it good for the heart. Muesli also contains nuts which are a great source of heart-healthy compounds that helps in reducing several types of inflammation linked to the heart. It can lower the risk of developing a blood clot and improves the lining of the arteries.

Oats: Oats are a good source of carbs and fibre. They contain more fat and protein and are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidant plant compounds which makes them incredibly nutritious. It also contains the powerful soluble fibre beta-glucan. Oats improve blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels and protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Oats are also found in skincare products in the form of finely ground oats called, “colloidal oatmeal”. It helps in treating dry and itchy skin but it should be noted that skincare benefits come only when oats are applied to the skin.

So which one is better for weight loss?
Both oats and muesli are incredibly healthy breakfast items but if you ask us to choose between them, we’ll go with oats. Unlike muesli, oats do not have any additional ingredients which increase the calorie count of the cereals. And for weight loss, the absence of sugar and keeping your calorie count in check is highly important. So for weight loss, oats work well while for a healthy breakfast, both oats and muesli are great options.