Oatmeal vs Cream of Wheat: Difference and Comparison

In today’s world, there exist a number of foods and ingredients to prepare a certain dish. So many flavours exist, including doughs, cereals, and instant foodstuffs, which help us create a scrumptious meal. There are foodstuffs available for people of all types.

For instance, people who are conscious about their food intake follow a certain dietary schedule, and on the contrary, some people eat whatever they want, and because of the huge variety of foodstuffs, it has become possible for all of us to fulfil our needs regarding food.

Two foodstuffs used in the majority of people’s dietary schedules are 1. Oatmeal, and 2. Cream of wheat.

Key Takeaways

1. Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from ground oats; cream of wheat is a type of hot cereal made from ground wheat.
2. Oatmeal is considered healthier due to its higher fiber and protein content; the cream of wheat is enriched with vitamins and minerals.
3. Oatmeal has a more natural, nutty flavor; cream of wheat has a milder, creamier taste.

Oatmeal vs Cream of Wheat

A porridge made with oats is called oatmeal. Sugar is one of the ingredients of this dish. There are multiple subtypes of oatmeal. It is healthy, and blood pressure can be reduced with it. Cream of wheat is made with semolina flour. Salt and milk are also added to this dish. Cream of wheat has various subtypes. It is very healthy and beneficial for the stomach.

The product obtained while the process of making dehusked, steamed and flattened oats into a meal or a porridge is known as oatmeal. The primary ingredients used to make oatmeal include oat groats, and other packages that are sold might include salt, sugar and flavourings.

The nut-like flavour that we experience when we eat oatmeal is because of the heating done to the oats.

Cream of wheat is a type of farina that is made from semolina flour. It is a kind of porridge that is used for breakfast in most places. Cream of wheat has a soft and smooth texture because the wheat crumbs are finely grounded.

This foodstuff was first introduced in the year 1893 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is added in milk, which becomes thicker and creamier and is served hot.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Oatmeal	Cream of Wheat
Meaning	The product obtained while the process of making dehusked, steamed and flattened oats into a meal or a porridge is known as oatmeal.	A type of farina that is made from semolina flour is known as cream of wheat.
Ingredients	The essence of oats/ groats of oats, sugar, flavorings.	Semolina flour, wheat farina, salt, defatted wheat germ, guar gum, flavorings, milk.
Subtypes	Banana Almond Flax Oatmeal, Berries and Cream Oatmeal, Chocolate Oatmeal, Banana Coconut Oatmeal, Apple Pie Oatmeal, Peanut Butter and Nutella Oatmeal, Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, Brown Sugar Maple Oatmeal.	Original, Apples ‘N’ Cinnamon, Maple Brown Sugar, Strawberries ‘N’ Cream, Cinnamon Swirl.
Health Benefits	Help reduce blood pressure, helps in reducing cholesterol, maintains blood sugar levels, promotes healthy bacteria in the body, itchy skin can be treated, reduces constipation.	It helps boost stamina, helps in satisfying the stomach, is a sort of nutritive tonic, helps in calming the heart.
Nutrition	Saturated fat, sodium, proteins, potassium, dietary fiber, sugar, carbohydrate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, calcium, iron, magnesium.	Potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin B-6, magnesium.

What is Oatmeal?

The product obtained while the process of making dehusked, steamed and flattened oats into a meal or a porridge is known as oatmeal. Oat groats are the primary ingredient used in the preparation of oatmeal.

Other than that, sugar, salt and flavourings are used depending on the packaging. Oatmeal has high nutritional content and is consumed by a majority of people worldwide.

In different countries, oatmeal is served in different ways. For example, in the USA, oatmeal is served as porridge. On the contrary, in Scotland, oatmeal is used for preparing several dishes.

It is used in gruel, brose and even while baking other food dishes. Some people prefer to eat oatmeal with toppings and other ingredients.

One can add several other ingredients while eating oatmeal as porridge. These ingredients include fresh fruits like strawberries, bananas, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Several nuts and seeds, like pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans, and almonds, can be used. Some dried fruits that can be added to the oatmeal are cranberries, apricots, raisins etc.

Several toothsome food recipes can be prepared by using oatmeal. It can be used in making cookies, pies, smoothies, energy bars, muffins, casseroles, puddings etc.

Oatmeal has several health benefits. Many brands manufacture oatmeal. The high nutritional value, delectable taste and various health benefits are the reasons why people prefer to eat it.

What is Cream of Wheat?

A type of farina that is made from semolina flour is known as the cream of wheat. Cream of wheat was introduced in the year 1893 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is made up of semolina flour, wheat farina, milk, salt and flavourings, depending on the package.

The cream of wheat is served hot with milk. It becomes thicker and creamier when milk is added to it. It has several health benefits and is quite stomach-filling.

One can eat it for breakfast. Another food dish like cream of wheat is cream of rice which is recommended for people who cannot tolerate wheat.

Later on, in 1897, the Cream of the Wheat company was shifted to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The owner of the company shifted the company there because the demand for the product had increased rapidly.

Several flavours were later introduced to the cream of wheat, which gave rise to its production and consumption among the people.

This breakfast porridge can be served with several toppings and ingredients, depending on one’s liking. These ingredients include peaches, berries, nut butter, apricots, cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, almond milk etc.

Several recipes that can be made by using the cream of wheat are Cream of wheat pancakes, Cream of wheat bread, Cream of wheat crepes with sesame potatoes etc.

Main Differences Between Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat

1. The cream of wheat is made up of semolina flour which is a primary ingredient in it. On the other hand, the primary ingredient used to make oatmeal is the groats of oat.
2. One cup of oatmeal contains more calories than one cup of cream of wheat.
3. The presence of essential nutrients is more in oatmeal. On the other hand, the presence of essential nutrients in the cream of wheat is less.
4. Different flavours in oatmeal include Banana Almond Flax Oatmeal, Berries and Cream Oatmeal etc. On the other hand, different flavours in cream of wheat include Apples ‘N’ Cinnamon, Maple Brown Sugar.
5. Oatmeal has more health benefits as compared to the cream of wheat.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1974.tb02897.x
2. https://europepmc.org/article/med/17373175