What are steel cut oats?

Steel cut oats are whole, toasted groats that are cut up instead of rolled into flakes. Other names for steel cut oats include Irish, Scotch and pinhead oats.

Steel cut oats take about 20 minutes to cook, but have the same nutritional benefits as rolled oats. Both of them can lower "bad," or LDL cholesterol. Steel cut oats are also rich in fiber, which helps maintain good health of the digestive system by preventing constipation and other digestive disorders. Fiber also regulates blood sugar. Regular consumption of steel cut oats lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering high blood pressure. Eating steel cut oats also contributes to weight loss.