Happy Thursday beauties! How is your day going so far?
Hopefully everything is swell this morning and you had a great Wednesday.
Yesterday, I spent the day trying to rid myself of this headache and stomach pain, but no such luck. I also had a TON of laundry that I had been putting off and finally decided to get that done. Woohoo! Free of the dreaded dirty laundry
I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about the different between oatmeal and oat bran and why I eat it more frequently.
*Oat bran with egg whites, pumpkin, frozen blueberries, chia seeds, almond butter*
I do prefer the the taste of oat bran over oatmeal, but they do taste quite similar. I find that after I eat a bowl of oatmeal I get hungry about an hour or two after eating it, with oat bran I find that it fills me up longer and I don’t get hungry until lunch. Oats also help lower cholesterol and help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Oat bran is definitely creamier and has a thicker texture than oatmeal. The oat bran absorbs more liquid, thus making it more voluminous after it has been cooked. Many people probably don’t know the difference between the two, the most notable being the appearance and nutritional value. I thought I’d provide some insight into this.
Nutritional Profile
So there is a noticeable difference in the nutritional values of the two. How about the way the rolled oats and oat bran are processed.
Defining Oat Bran
Oat bran is the outer husk of the oat grain. The bran of grain is normally discarded during the milling process, which is unfortunate, since it contains the bulk of the dietary fiber of the grain, along with a large amount of useful minerals. When the bran is left on, the grain is marketed as “whole grain,” and in the case of oat bran, the bran is also sold separately, for people who want to up their fiber intake.
-Source: wisegeek
*Oatmeal with banana, egg whites, hemp seeds, cinnamon, and cashew butter*
Defining Oatmeal (Rolled Oats)
Oatmeal (Avena sativa) comes from oat grains, a cereal grass. Oatmeal is most commonly consumed by humans as a cooked cereal. Raw, harvest oats are used as feed for animals, but for human consumption, the oats are processed to some extent.
-Source: homecooking
*Oat bran with egg whites, chia seeds, blueberries, pumpkin, cinnamon, and cashew butter*
I love starting the day off right, and eating oatmeal or oat bran provides me with a ton of nutrients first thing in the morning. Clearly, I like to have my oats represent some kind of dessert, whether that be carrot cake, pumpkin pie, chocolate peanut butter, blueberry muffin, banana cream pie, there are endless options. Now, of course these don’t taste exactly like these desserts, but they provide a more filling, nutritious, “healthified” version of these sweets.
I wake up every morning and crave oats, so I will go with that craving, but there are other times where I will eat something different. Those are pretty rare though 
I just can’t stop.
*Oat bran with egg whites, pumpkin, a little banana, chia seeds, and topped with peanut flour paste*
Clearly these little gems have made quite a come back, they are very popular among most blogs, and no longer associated with what your grandmother tried to force down your throat as a child. Oats are a blank canvas of deliciousness, and you can get very creative with additions, flavours, and of course toppings.
I’m off to spend the day with my mom, I hope you all have an amazing day!
Do you prefer oats or oat bran or neither?
xox,
Lisa
About Lisa
I’ve never tried oat bran for breakfast before, but that’s interesting that it keeps you fuller for longer! I’ll have to pick some up now and give it a try!
I know, its kind of weird! I guess just because there is a bit more fiber and protein? Not too sure!
I love oat bran but I can never remember to buy it. I agree that it fills me up way more than regular oatmeal. However, I do love them both! Oats are certainly my favorite grain!!
I agree! Oats rock. I definitely love them both, I go through phases on which one I prefer I think hah
I’ve actually never had oatbran before, ever! I absolutely have to try them though, especially since you love them so much, they must be good!
It’s really good! I hadn’t tried it before last year and fell in love
I did think it was a little different that you were eating oat bran. I wish you showed the package you use. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it!
If you go to the bob’s red mill site and search oat bran that’s the one I use!
Nice explanation, love, and a great array of recipe samples! You’re the bomb DOT com.
I actually prefer rolled organic oats. I like the thick, hearty texture of the individual oats. 
I definitely do enjoy oats when I’m wanting more of that texture, but right now oat bran has my heart
hah
Great post! I only eat oat bran for breakfast.. absolutely in love with it, and I, too, find that it keeps me fuller than oatmeal. Oatmeal I will eat in the afternoon as snacks, but my go to for breakfast while I sit at my desk at work is oat bran mixed with chia seeds, peanut butter, plain 0% greek yogurt, a little truvia, and some frozen blueberries. it gets so thick and huge that it literally takes me almost an hour to eat at work! I buy the bobs mill inn brand.. the best
thanks for this post!
I buy the same brand! I too will eat oatmeal more as a snack, I like to have something more filling for breakfast. Yum, your oat bran sounds amazing! I love adding frozen blueberries because when they melt it gets all delicious with their juices
i love making oatbran because its so versatile with cooking. Savory oatbran with nutritional yeast or brewers yeast and daiya cheese is a favorite. Plus its higher in fiber!
Oh! I have to try out savoury oat bran! I’ve never actually tried it before!
A post dedicated to oatmeal is bound to be a hit with me- I eat a minimum of 1 bowl a day- LOVE.
I can’t really pick a fave between oat bran or oatmeal(both as delicious), at the moment I consume a 3:1 ratio of regular oats:steel cut oats mixture probably the most often- and I always soak my grains overnight. I knew the difference between oatmeal and bran already, but I never knew the difference nutritionally- I think I’m definitely going to up my oatbran consumption now!
All your creations look lovely. Iv been meaning to do carrot cake for too long now- NEED to get on that!
Xxx
Oh me too! I eat it at least once a day, my day feels off if I don’t have it hah. That sounds good to mix it! I’d probably love doing that actually.
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this! Plus I love oatmeal and enjoy it at least 4-5 days per week, so any extra information on it is quite welcome
Oatmeal is just the best, I feel like its so taboo for health food bloggers to like it so much, but I can’t help it
ohhh I loveee oats, and have them almost every morning. I really like the Gluten-free Rolled Oats from Trader Joe’s, I have to soak them over-night, the rolled-consistency is my favorite!
I hope you’ve been having a great week!
xoxo!
I like the GF oats too! I usually buy bob’s red mill since we have no TJ’s here
Have a great weekend too girl!xo
Such a great post, Lisa! Thanks for the info! The protein and fiber will certainly keep you fuller longer. I never tried oat bran, but I just ordered some tonight in my netrition order!
Wahoo! I certainly hope you like it a lot!
I’ll let you know.
i’ve always wondered the differences, so i really enjoyed reading this! i’ve actually never even tried oat bran before but obviously that needs to change!
where do you buy your oat bran? is it quite a bit more pricey compared to regular oats?
I just get it from the local grocery store or the health food store. I’m pretty sure it’s actually about the same price as regular oats!
I just ordered mine from netrition.com. They have flat rate shipping of 5 dollars, and an 18 oz. Bob’s Red Mill bag was only $3.99.
I like your fantastic web site. Just what I was searching for!
Best regards, Ron
My Fitness Tips blog http://www.intervalstraining.net
Hii!
I love oatmeal and oat bran, my staple food haha. But I’ve realized that I get hungry 2 hours afterwards. Is it just me? I usually eat 1/3 cup of oat bran or oat meal with flaxseed, half a banana and sometimes egg whites.