Oatcakes and health

In order to lure in health-conscious customers, the large-scale oatmeal producers are trying to make the oatmeal preparation as healthy as it can get. Oatcakes are a kind of a pancake or a cracker that is essentially made with oat meal and is flat. They are marketed as a low GI (glycaemic index) food, which reduces the level of sugar and fat to a large extent. The popularity of low-carbohydrate diets is catching up and along with it the obesity epidemic is also growing rapidly; hence a large number of consumers are increasingly turning to low GI foods, such as oats, since it’s a way of controlling obesity.

GI stands for glycaemic index. The glycaemic index ranked foods are based on the effect of the blood glucose level. Foods that contain a high glycaemic index level (like 70 and above) are metabolized rapidly and they are known for triggering large amounts of fluctuations in the blood glucose levels and insulin demand. On the other hand foods that contain low or medium amounts of glycaemic index (between forty one and sixty nine) are digested and absorbed more slowly on a comparative basis.

They tend to give a slower release of energy that is sustained over a long period of time. The famous Paterson's cheese and mild chilli oatcakes has a low glycaemic index standing at 48. Making oatcakes at home will only take about half an hour and the ingredients are easy to get as well. Companies such as walkers and Narin are known for their large scale manufacturing of oatcakes. Oatcakes are not only delicious, but it has been proved that they are god for your health too, so next time you are in the mood for a snack or want a health treat for your kids, be sure to get some different flavoured oatcakes to give them for school and to keep at home.