Porridge with a pinch of salt may sound strange at first, because many people do not know that a little salt in porridge has a long tradition. Some may know the pinch of salt from other sweet recipes, because it is also popular in cake dough, for example, to bring out the sweet taste. You can find out exactly what it is all about in this article.
Why add a pinch of salt to your porridge?
Porridge is one of the most popular breakfast dishes worldwide. It is quick to prepare, contains many valuable nutrients and the ingredients can be varied as you like. But one thing that many people forget is a pinch of salt.
Salt is considered a flavor enhancer and helps to bring out the natural flavors in porridge. This also applies to overnight oats, the healthy oat breakfast from the fridge. It's best to add a pinch of salt to the liquid (e.g. milk, plant-based milk or water) at the beginning of the preparation, before you stir in the oats. This way, the salt is evenly distributed in the porridge or overnight oats.
It is important to note that the sodium in salt itself is not good for your health. Excessive salt consumption can cause blood pressure to rise in many people, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. So if you suffer from high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, you should consult a doctor to find out how much salt you should be consuming. A small pinch of salt is enough to improve the taste of porridge. It's best to choose low-sodium types of salt, such as sea salt.
The advantages of a pinch of salt in porridge at a glance
A pinch of salt in porridge has a number of advantages:
- It enhances the natural flavors: A pinch of salt in porridge ensures that the flavors of the individual ingredients are better brought out.
- It provides a sweet-salty balance: Even a small amount of salt in addition to a little sugar ensures a well-balanced sweet-salty taste. But don't worry, a little pinch of salt won't make your porridge salty at all. You'll hardly notice the salt.
- A new, diverse flavor is created: Those who have never added salt to their porridge will find that this secret ingredient gives the breakfast dish a whole new flavor. Depending on which ingredients you choose, you will perceive the different flavors with a little salt differently than before.
Porridge with milk or with water?
Now that we have explained why a pinch of salt in porridge is an absolute must, the question remains as to whether porridge should be prepared with milk or water. It all depends on your taste preferences, eating habits and goals, because both variants have their advantages and disadvantages.
Porridge with water is lower in calories and therefore helps you lose weight. So if you are on a diet, you can save calories by using water instead of milk or a plant-based drink. The disadvantage is that your porridge won't be as creamy. It is also particularly important to season your porridge well when preparing it with water to avoid a bland taste. That's why a pinch of salt is particularly important when preparing porridge with water. You can also use spices such as cinnamon, cardamom or vanilla and add fresh fruit as a topping.
If you prepare porridge with milk, you add extra nutrients to your breakfast, such as proteins or calcium. You also get extra points for creaminess. The disadvantage is that the milk adds more fat and more calories to your porridge, which is why this variant is less suitable for losing weight. Even if the milk or plant-based drink already adds extra flavor to your porridge, you should still add a pinch of salt.
Why can porridge help you lose weight?
There are many good reasons why porridge is the perfect breakfast, and here's another one: porridge is the ideal breakfast if you want to lose weight. Oats are low in calories but still full of nutrients. 100 grams of oats have about 350 calories. With an average portion of 40 grams, there are only 140 calories and you will still feel full.
What's more, oats swell up in the stomach, giving you a greater sense of fullness. This feeling of satiety lasts for a particularly long time thanks to the high levels of dietary fiber and long-chain carbohydrates in oats. Salt is also said to have a satiating effect. Adding a pinch of salt to your porridge can enhance this effect.
Another reason why losing weight with porridge works well: oats cause insulin levels to rise only slowly, which means you have fewer cravings.
How to prepare the perfect porridge
Preparing porridge properly is easy if you consider a few key points.
First, choose your liquid base. This could be water for a low-calorie option, or milk or a plant-based drink for extra creaminess.
The next step is to add a pinch of salt. Add the salt to the liquid and stir well. This ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout your breakfast.
3. Next, select your cereal. We recommend oats because they are particularly nutritious and are also suitable for a gluten-free diet.
- Cook the mixture until it turns into a creamy consistency. If you like, you can add honey, agave syrup, or a sweetener of your choice.
- Once the porridge has reached the desired consistency, you can refine it with delicious toppings. From fresh fruits such as berries, apples or bananas to nuts, seeds and spices, anything goes.
Where does the pinch of salt in porridge come from?
Adding a pinch of salt to porridge has a long tradition. The history of porridge goes back thousands of years, but the way we know it today comes from Scotland. Due to the climate in Scotland, oats were one of the few types of grain that could be grown there.
In those days, porridge was considered the food of the common people. The oatmeal was prepared by gently simmering it and adding a little butter and a pinch of salt. Today, porridge is one of the most popular breakfast dishes worldwide. The pinch of salt is still considered a secret ingredient that allows porridge to develop all of its delicious flavors.
Conclusion
We can say that the pinch of salt is an essential ingredient in a successful porridge, as it enhances the natural flavors of the oatmeal and creates a delicious balance of sweet and savoury. If you didn't know about this secret tip before, you should definitely try it! You can buy all porridges at the Verival online shop.
Porridge from VERIVAL - discover it now!
