Why Organic Oats Should Be Your Only Choice: The Truth About What's In Your Breakfast Bowl

Across America, morning arrives with oatmeal. That humble, heart-warming bowl of oats has been a breakfast staple for generations, promising heart health and so much more. But not all oats are created equal. Recent revelations about what lurks in conventional oat products should make us all reconsider what we're spooning into our bodies each morning.

The Disturbing Discovery in Your Breakfast Bowl

In a groundbreaking investigation, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) uncovered something deeply troubling: the toxic agricultural chemical chlormequat in popular oat products sold across America. This little-known chemical was found in all but one of 13 non-organic oat-based cereals, granolas, and other products tested, with several popular brands showing concerning concentrations. Even more alarming, the EWG recently discovered chlormequat in the urine of four out of five people tested, suggesting widespread exposure through our food supply.

The implications are serious. Chlormequat has been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals, with studies showing it can disrupt fetal growth, alter head and bone development, and change key metabolic processes. These findings raise legitimate concerns about potential harm to humans, especially considering how many of us consume oats regularly.

This isn't the first time the EWG has found cause for concern with conventional oats. Previous testing revealed troubling levels of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) in oat-based foods. While those levels have decreased somewhat after consumer awareness campaigns, the discovery of chlormequat suggests a concerning trend—as one harmful chemical is reduced, another takes its place.

Why Does This Matter?

You might be wondering why chemicals like chlormequat are in our food at all. Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator that makes plants sturdier and easier to harvest. While it's banned for use on food crops grown in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allowed foods grown with chlormequat to be imported since 2018. Even more concerning, the EPA is now reviewing an application to allow chlormequat use on oats and other grains grown domestically, which could dramatically increase our exposure.

The story of chlormequat follows a familiar pattern we've seen with agricultural chemicals. The conventional agriculture industry, and even the EPA, often claim pesticides are safe right up until overwhelming evidence shows they're toxic to humans. By then, millions of people have been unnecessarily exposed.

Are Organic Oats Healthy?

Choosing organic oats isn't just about avoiding harmful chemicals—it's about embracing a more wholesome approach to food. Organic farming keeps foods close to nature by avoiding irradiation, genetic engineering, and synthetic chemicals, resulting in products that are often more nutritious and frequently taste better.

Nutritionally, oats are a powerhouse regardless of how they're grown. They're among the healthiest grains on earth—a gluten-free whole grain that provides important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend adults consume 3-5 servings of whole grains daily, with oats being an excellent choice toward meeting this goal. Most nutrition experts suggest eating oats 3-5 times per week provides an optimal balance of their benefits while maintaining dietary variety. For heart health specifically, consuming about 3 grams of beta-glucan (the soluble fiber in oats) daily—equivalent to approximately ¾ cup of cooked oatmeal—can help lower cholesterol levels. This translates to roughly 5-7 servings weekly. Studies link regular oat consumption to numerous health benefits, including weight management, lower blood sugar levels, enhanced fullness, and reduced appetite compared to other breakfast cereals. One serving, typically ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, provides a feeling of satisfaction that makes it less likely you'll overeat throughout the day.

Studies link oat consumption to numerous health benefits, including:

• Weight management, lower blood sugar levels, and reduced risk of heart disease
• Enhanced fullness and reduced appetite compared to other breakfast cereals
• Lower cholesterol levels, potentially reducing risk of heart disease
• A feeling of satisfaction that makes it less likely you'll overeat

Oats contain a special type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which is responsible for many of these benefits. This particular fiber makes the contents of the intestines very viscous and may make you feel full longer. It also helps lower cholesterol by increasing the viscosity of food and binding to cholesterol-rich bile acids.

Why We're Obsessed With These Raw, Organic Rolled Oats

We are obsessed with farm-fresh raw rolled oats and once you taste them you will be too. Why? At Foodocracy, we're proud to partner with Brian Severson Farms to bring you exceptional raw, organic rolled oats. The Severson family raises organic, non-GMO grains on their small farm in Illinois, working from start to finish to ensure quality at every step. Unlike mass-produced oats, these hulless oats, a unique variety known as *Avena nuda*, naturally shed their hulls during harvest, preserving the full raw nutrition and quality. Brian Severson's oats are non-GMO, certified organic, and minimally processed without heat treatment. Cold-rolled into thick, old-fashioned oatmeal, these oats retain their exceptional taste, a result of the darker oat variety chosen for flavor over appearance. Enjoy pure, farm-fresh oats that have never left the care of this small, family-owned farm.

The Farm-Fresh Difference

At Foodocracy, we're proud to partner with Brian Severson Farms to bring you exceptional organic rolled oats. The Severson family raises organic, non-GMO grains on their small farm in Illinois, working from start to finish to ensure quality at every step.

Brian's story echoes the concerns many of us share about modern agriculture. Unhappy with the introduction of GMOs and agriculture's increasing use of chemicals, he began experimenting with organic methods, starting small with certified organic sweet corn in 2007. Today, the farm has expanded to include organic oats, wheat, popcorn, peas, soybeans, and buckwheat.

What makes their oats special? Brian says it best, "Does it make a difference if the farmer and miller are the same person? I think so. By seeing the product from start to finish, it makes me think more about how the crop is raised. The type of ground the crop is raised on, where in the multi-year crop rotation it falls and the fertility used can affect its taste."

When selecting varieties for food crops, taste is their most important factor, which often leads them back to older, heirloom varieties that offer superior flavor and nutrition. This commitment to quality and tradition results in oats that aren't just safer—they're more delicious.

The Natural Oils in Raw Oats: A Hidden Nutritional Treasure

One of the most remarkable qualities of truly raw, organic oats—the kind that haven't been heavily processed—is their natural oil content. These oils are incredibly nutritious but also require special handling.

Standard rolled oats found in grocery stores have typically been treated with wet steam and lightly toasted to stabilize the grains and extend shelf life. Because raw oats contain more natural fats and oils than stabilized varieties, they're more nutritionally valuable but require proper storage. These oils are part of what makes oats such a remarkable food, contributing to their health benefits.

To preserve these precious oils, raw oats should be transferred to an airtight glass or metal container and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. This extends their shelf life while preserving their nutritional integrity. Unsteamed oats should ideally be used within four to six months for optimal freshness if not refrigerated.

What To Cook With Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

Cinnamon Oatmeal with Blueberry Thyme Compote

Juicy, sweet blueberries are complimented with thyme and cinnamon in this hearty delicious bowl of oatmeal. 

Cardamom Pomegranate Oatmeal

Take your typical morning oats on a Persian holiday with cardamom, pomegranate, pistachio and a touch of honey. It makes apples and cinnamon sound positively boring!

Maple Cinnamon Baked Oats

Baked oats are more than a trend, they're a breakfast staple. I love a bowl of oatmeal but baking with oats is my favorite way to enjoy their flavor. 

Easy Homemade Honey Almond Oat Bars

These clean, heathy bars use clean, whole food ingredients, take less than 30 minutes and they keep in the refrigerator for weeks.

Oat-y Date Bars

This easy and delicious recipe from our friends at The Green Spoon is absolutely delicious. It's kinda like if a laurabar and a fig newton had a healthy, whole food baby that was way more delicious. 

A Return to Real Food

The story of oats is one of rediscovery and appreciation for real food in its most authentic form. By choosing organic oats, we connect with a tradition of agriculture that respects both the earth and our bodies.

In a world where food often comes with unwanted chemical additions, organic oats represent a return to simplicity and purity. They remind us that the healthiest choices are usually the least tampered with—foods that have been grown with care and minimal intervention.

So tomorrow morning, as you prepare your breakfast, consider what's really in your bowl. Is it the nourishing goodness of organic oats, or a helping of agricultural chemicals with your daily fiber? The choice, and the power, is yours.