Bronwen King

Steel cut oats

Produced by slicing the whole grain using steel blades, these are the least processed. This means longer cooking time and a thicker, granular texture that is more resistant to chewing. It also means the body has to work harder on digestion, a health advantage as it slows entry to the blood (better blood sugar control), and means longer satiety. They are the most expensive at $4.69 for 500g (94c/100g). Overall rating: Great choice – great nutrition, best for satiety and blood sugar control, but most expensive.

Wholegrain oats

Also called ‘‘old-fashioned/traditional oats’’, these are steamed then rolled, meaning they are more processed than steel cut oats but less processed than rolled oats. The more processing done before consumption, the less processing our body has to do. Like steel cut, they have a nutty texture, which some people really like. Cost was $4.49 for 1kg bag (45c/100g), similar to rolled oats. Overall rating: Great choice – great nutrition and excellent satiety.