Oatmeal cookies contain slightly more fiber, protein and calcium than other cookies.
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Oh, that sweet smell of soft, warm oatmeal cookies baking on a cool, fall afternoon. Or, perhaps you prefer dunking a crunchy one in a cold glass of milk on a hot summer day. Whatever your preference, you may wonder if that cookie you're devouring is nutritious. After all, oatmeal is supposed to lower cholesterol, right?
Compared to chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies are marginally more nutritious. Comparing cookies of similar size, an oatmeal cookie has fewer calories than peanut butter or sugar cookies. Oatmeal cookies contain less fat and more protein, fiber and calcium than the others. However, all of these cookies contain between 54 and 72 calories; 2 and 3.5 grams of fat; 0.4 and 0.9 grams of protein; and 0.1 and 0.4 grams of fiber, so the differences are miniscule Oatmeal cookies do contain significantly more calcium, with 14 milligrams compared to 2 or 3 milligrams in the others; however, with the recommended dietary allowance for calcium of more than 1,000 milligrams, you'd have to eat a lot of oatmeal cookies to make a dent in your daily needs.
Oats have several possible health benefits, including reducing asthma in young children, improving digestive health, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of diabetes, controlling blood pressure, improving heart health and even lowering cholesterol, according to the Whole Grains Council. Some oats are gluten-free so if you have celiac disease or are gluten sensitive, oats can be a source of healthy grains. Eating them in a cookie -- although not the healthiest way to consume them -- can be an enjoyable way to include this nutritious grain in your diet.
The great thing about oatmeal cookies is their versatility. Adding certain ingredients can improve the nutrition of your oatmeal cookie if you make them from scratch. Dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries will increase iron and potassium. Old-fashioned peanut butter increases protein and healthy fats. Chunks of dark chocolate add flavonoids and antioxidants, which may fight against heart disease. Adding ground flax seed or chia seeds increases healthy omega-3 fats. Wheat germ or bran cereal crumbs will increase fiber and other vitamins and minerals. Try substituting some of the white flour in your recipe for whole-wheat flour and reducing the sugar to make it even more nutritious.
Even with healthy additions, an oatmeal cookie is still a cookie. Enjoying one occasionally is OK. They may contain more nutrients than other cookies, but they still contain large amounts of fat and sugar, which aren't so healthy and may be detrimental to your waistline.
FAQs
Nutrition Facts
Are oatmeal cookies actually healthy? ›
Both whole grain oats and raisins are a good source of fiber. The presence of whole grain oats will also help you stay fuller longer. That said, oatmeal raisin cookies are still cookies with higher butter and sugar content than other snacks, so they should only be considered a healthy snack in moderation.
Are Quaker oats cookies healthy? ›
Made with whole grain Oats, Quaker's® healthy cookies are a good source of iron, calcium and fiber. With so many flavors to choose from, there's something for everyone to help keep their hunger at bay.
Are oatmeal cookies good for your heart? ›
Plus, because these cookies are made with whole wheat flour and whole grains (oats), they've got lots of fiber. Fiber-rich whole foods are known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. Fiber is also essential for healthy digestion and strong gut health.
Are oatmeal cookies good for your stomach? ›
“These cookies are one of my favorite simple and digestion-friendly snacks because they only require mashed ripe bananas and rolled oats. Both are both gentle on the digestive system and provide a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals,” Dr. Robbins says.
Do oatmeal cookies have a lot of sugar? ›
A commercially prepared oatmeal cookie has approximately 105 calories, 1.3 grams of protein, 3 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, 0.7 grams of fiber and 10 grams of sugar. A comparable chocolate chip cookie has about 15 more calories, a little less protein and fiber, as well as twice the amount of fat.
Are bananas healthier than cookies? ›
But do remember that bananas are not an unhealthy food. You can still enjoy them a few days per week, and they are definitely a healthier snack option than processed food. Regardless of how your body responds to a banana, it is still going to be better than a cookie or a brownie.
Is it OK to eat a cookie everyday? ›
While one cookie a day isn't going to completely derail your diet goals, it's often easy to eat more than one at a time, and soon enough, downing quite a few cookies throughout the day could lead to unwanted pounds.
Are quick oats better than rolled oats cookies? ›
The difference in texture might help you decide which type of oat you should use in a recipe. Rolled oats hold their shape well and give things a nice chew. This makes them perfect for baked goods and cookies. Quick oats are better for blending into recipes.
Can oatmeal cookies help with constipation? ›
Nutrition Tip
Both the oats and the pumpkin in this recipe provide fiber which is keeps your intestines healthy and can help relieve constipation. Pumpkin is also a great source of vitamins and some micronutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium, manganese and copper.
Quaker oatmeal contains no cholesterol and is low in saturated fat, so it is heart healthy. The number of calories in Quaker oats is 100, with 20 calories from fat. The fat in Quaker oats includes . 5 grams of saturated fat, .
Is it OK to eat oatmeal cookies everyday? ›
Consume With Caution
Even with healthy additions, an oatmeal cookie is still a cookie. Enjoying one occasionally is OK. They may contain more nutrients than other cookies, but they still contain large amounts of fat and sugar, which aren't so healthy and may be detrimental to your waistline.
Do cardiologists recommend oatmeal? ›
“My go-to is really oatmeal,” Freeman says. “In general, I recommend oatmeal as the best option.” He advises a small cup of oatmeal made with water, not milk or butter, and loaded high with berries, plus additional heart-healthy ingredients such as ground flax seed or a few walnuts.
Are oatmeal cookies ok for high cholesterol? ›
Here are a few heart-healthy benefits of these cookies:
As a type of whole grain, the oats in this recipe provide fiber, which supports healthy cholesterol levels. Plus, their antioxidants can help reduce inflammation.
How many calories are in an average oatmeal cookie? ›
Oatmeal cookies, homemade (2 each - approx 2 5/8" diameter) contains 20.9g total carbs, 20.1g net carbs, 4.7g fat, 1.8g protein, and 131 calories.
Are cookies a healthy food or not? ›
Traditional chocolate cookies and chocolate chip cookies are not considered to be healthy on their own due to the large amount of sugar and butter used to make them. However, you can still enjoy these cookies in moderation and as part of a healthy diet.
Is oatmeal cookies high in carbs? ›
Conventional oatmeal cookies contain 20 total carbs apiece — way too many for keto! Luckily, these low carb oatmeal cookies have only 1g net carbs each!
Is oatmeal healthy? ›
Extensive studies have associated oats and oatmeal with plenty of heart-healthy benefits, such as lowering cholesterol (both total and "bad" LDL cholesterol) and helping with weight control. Oatmeal has a host of vitamins and minerals.
