Hello Grace! Thank you so much for your kind words, and for being such a thoughtful and engaged member of our community. Your condolences are genuinely appreciated.

It sounds like you have built a wonderfully health-conscious lifestyle over many decades, and your daily rolled oats routine is something worth celebrating. Oats are well-supported in the nutritional research as a heart-healthy food, rich in beta-glucan fiber, which has been shown in numerous peer-reviewed studies to help lower LDL cholesterol and support stable blood sugar. Forty years of that habit speaks for itself.

Regarding Dr. Steven Gundry’s claims about grains and lectins, this is a topic that comes up often. While Dr. Gundry raises some interesting points, it is worth noting that his lectin-avoidance theory is not broadly supported by the mainstream nutrition science community. Whole grains, including oats, are consistently associated with reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers in large population studies. The concern about lectins is largely theoretical for healthy individuals, and traditional preparation methods like soaking, cooking, and fermenting significantly reduce lectin content anyway.

As always, if you have specific health concerns or are considering dietary changes based on any advice you have come across, we encourage consulting with a qualified healthcare provider who knows your full health history.

Thank you again for your warmth, your thoughtful question, and your many years as part of this community. We hope this information is helpful, and we are glad to have you here.–Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Great idea, Susan! So much variety in those toppings, too! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Before bed, I boil my steel cut oats (1 cup steel cut oats and 4 cups water) in my rice cooker for about 5 minutes, unplug the rice cooker, and let them sit overnight (with the lid on). In the morning, I scoop out what I want for breakfast and heat them up and enjoy them with yummy additions. I then put the lid back on and put the lidded “bowl” of the cooker in the refrigerator and enjoy breakfast oats for a few days. Yummy additions: raisins, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, peaches, ground flaxseed, and/or chia seeds.

Thanks so much for sharing this, Analise–very interesting! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hi Valinda! My trick is to rinse and soak the pan immediately after taking the oats out. That usually does the trick for washing it out a couple of hours later. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Very innovative thinking, Chris! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

That’s a great recipe idea, Michelle! Savory oats can be so delicious. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hello Kendra–thank you for reaching out!

Dr. Gundry’s position on oats is rooted in his concerns about lectins, which are naturally occurring proteins found in many plant foods, including oats. He argues that lectins can cause inflammation and digestive issues. However, this view is not widely supported by the broader nutrition science community, and it is worth noting that his claims about oats have been quite controversial among registered dietitians and researchers.

The overall body of peer-reviewed evidence paints a different picture. Whole oats are rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown in numerous studies to support heart health, help stabilize blood sugar levels, and promote healthy gut bacteria. Research consistently links whole grain oat consumption with reduced LDL cholesterol and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, not weight gain. In fact, the fiber in oats tends to promote satiety, which can support healthy weight management rather than undermine it.

At Food Revolution Network, we align with the evidence-based consensus that whole, minimally processed oats can be a nutritious part of a healthy plant-based diet for most people. You can explore more about oats in our article here: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/health-benefits-of-oats/

That said, individual responses to foods can vary, so if you have specific health concerns around oats or grains, it is always a good idea to consult with a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian.

Thanks again for the question, and for being here in our community! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Sounds delicious, Virginia! Thank you for sharing your recipe. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team