Porridge with milk or water? This question cannot be answered very clearly – there is no definitive answer as to whether milk or water is healthier to prepare porridge. Both liquids have their advantages and disadvantages. Both are used by people every day to make porridge. There is no right or wrong anyway.
Everyone has their own way and philosophy of making oatmeal . But which is healthier, porridge with milk or porridge with water?
Is porridge with milk healthy?
Porridge recipe with milk is the classic among breakfast options. If you mix oats with milk and cook, you get a very creamy porridge. But is porridge with milk healthy?
The basic rule applies: as long as you consume milk in moderation and the porridge with milk is part of your healthy and balanced diet, there are no concerns. Milk is a great source of protein, calcium, and many other important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and potassium. So preparing it with milk can help your porridge become more satiating and nutritious.
If you enjoy eating porridge made with milk, you should also pay attention to the downsides. For example, porridge is much more caloric with milk than with water. For those with lactose intolerance, of course, milk is off-limits. However, this does not necessarily prevent you from trying porridge with milk alternatives! Oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, or rice milk – all of these are excellent alternatives that may really enhance your porridge. Especially at breakfast, it is advantageous if you do not limit yourself to one flavor but instead try several things.
When consuming porridge with milk, you should be careful. Overconsumption of milk can easily lead to a bloated belly, deterioration of skin quality, and inhibition of iron absorption.
Is porridge with water healthy?
Porridge with water is a healthier alternative to milk. It is arguably the healthiest option for preparing porridge. However, it is clear that porridge made with water can taste a bit bland.
The benefits are clear: water is probably the healthiest liquid you can consume. Additionally, preparing porridge with water means you avoid calories and fat. This can be particularly helpful for people looking to lose weight with oatmeal. Since milk and milk alternatives often contain high levels of fat and calories, it's best to avoid them if you want to lose weight.
Make porridge more exciting with water
But how can you make porridge with water more interesting to lift your spirits in the morning? Here's how we can help:
First, it's important to always season your porridge properly. Whether with salt, a bit of sugar, agave syrup, or even cinnamon or anise – spices can make your porridge a true taste experience. Toppings are the second step to enjoying a delicious and healthy breakfast porridge. Fruits and seeds are our favorites. Fresh berries and delicious chia seeds can transform a bland breakfast into the perfect start to your day.
Prepare healthy porridge – no matter what liquid
The preparation of porridge , whether with milk or water, is very simple. First, you need oatmeal. The general guideline is 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal. You now need the liquid of your choice, be it milk, water, or milk alternatives. Make sure to choose a liquid that tastes good to you or helps you achieve your goals. 180 milliliters should suffice.
First, bring the liquid to a boil in a pot. Once the liquid is boiling, add the oatmeal. Lower the heat to a simmer. The oatmeal must simmer in the liquid for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. Then remove the pot from the burner and let the flakes steep until they reach your desired consistency. Finally, add a pinch of salt – this will enhance the flavor of the porridge.
Overnight oats as an alternative to warm porridge
If you're the type who feels rushed in the morning and prefers not to cook at all, there is a fantastic alternative to traditional porridge. Overnight oats are the magic word here. Simply mix oatmeal with water, milk, or a milk alternative before bed and enjoy in the morning!
Now it’s time to choose the right toppings. Do you prefer it fruity or savory? Sweet or salty? No matter how you like to enjoy your oatmeal, we surely have the right porridge recipes for you:
Basic recipe: oatmeal
Ingredients
- 250 ml milk or a plant-based alternative for vegans (oat milk, almond milk, soy milk,...)
- 50 g oatmeal (grams of oatmeal)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tsp agave syrup optional
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon of your choice
Preparation
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Boil the oatmeal with the pinch of salt and the sweetener of your choice in the milk or plant drink (preferably with constant stirring). Cooking the cereal flakes only with hot water is also a possible variant.
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Let the porridge steep for 3 minutes.
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Empty the porridge into a bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon.
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Enjoy!
Nutritional values
Matcha Porridge Basic Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 grams of Verival Matcha Porridge blend
- 110-120 milliliters of water / milk / plant drink
- Optional: toppings such as banana or strawberries go perfectly with the tart taste of matcha.
Preparation
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Pour 50 g of the base mixture (6 tbsp) into a bowl with approximately 110 ml (depending on the desired smoothness) of hot milk or plant drink alternative.
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Stir the matcha porridge and let it swell for 3 minutes.
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Enjoy warm and refine with toppings such as strawberries or bananas.
Recipe: Bircher Muesli Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 50 g Bircher Porridge
- 120 ml (vegetable) milk or water
- Some nuts of your choice , e.g. pecans or almonds
- A little apple of your choice
Preparation
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Place the Bircher Porridge in a mason jar.
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Then add 120 ml of a liquid of your choice and mix the ingredients together well.
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Place the mason jar in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 3 hours.
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Stir the porridge mixture well again before eating.
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When your overnight oats are nice and creamy, they're ready.
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Now you can top your overnight oats with nuts of your choice, flaxseed or chia seeds, and apple.
Tip
Conclusion: Is porridge with milk or water healthier?
So which is healthier, porridge with milk or with water? The answer is not straightforward because water seems to be the better alternative. However, both have their advantages and disadvantages.
True, water is probably the healthier alternative to milk. It may not be a flavor explosion, but water helps you avoid a lot of calories and fat, which can certainly assist you in losing excess weight.
However, milk isn't necessarily unhealthy as long as you consume it in moderation. Milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and various other important vitamins and minerals. While porridge becomes higher in fat and calories with milk, if you need a lot of protein, porridge with milk can support you!
Porridge made with milk alternatives such as oat milk or almond milk can largely eliminate the negative effects associated with milk. Thus, milk alternatives are often ideal for people with lactose intolerance.
In conclusion, porridge with water is likely the healthiest way to prepare oatmeal. However, milk also has its benefits. Especially regarding vitamins, protein, and minerals, milk clearly comes out on top. Milk alternatives should not be overlooked either; they can offer a lot in terms of taste.
How you make your porridge ultimately depends on you. Do you prefer milk and the creaminess it brings to porridge? Then it’s perfectly fine to enjoy your porridge with milk, as long as you do so in moderation. Are you looking to lose weight and cut calories? Then water is likely the best option for you.
