We’ve consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We oatmeal chocolate chip muffins to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat. It feels like everyone is singing the praises of oatmeal lately.

We turned to a few registered dietitians and doctors to get the low-down on the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to oatmeal. While the side effects of eating oatmeal are mostly good, there are a couple of potential negative effects to be mindful of when enjoying a hearty bowl of this warm cereal. Here’s what our experts had to say on the side effects of eating oatmeal—and for more dietitian-supported healthy eating tips, be sure to check out Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians. It’s a great protein source “Oats also offer a decent amount of protein with just one cup of old-fashioned oats containing approximately 10 grams of protein,” says Braslow. Protein, along with fiber, can keep you full longer. Getting enough protein throughout your day can benefit your health in numerous ways. In a report published in Nutrients, protein was found to help adults over the age of 40 regulate their appetite, as well as help improve muscle mass and strength.

Oatmeal can help you lose weight “Oatmeal’s fiber and nutrients have also been connected with weight loss. These characteristics keep the consumer feeling full, which can prevent overeating on calories throughout the day,” says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD,  a registered dietitian and consultant at Balance One Supplements. In the question of “is oatmeal good for you,” many of the positive effects come from its fiber content. Oatmeal is a whole grain that is high in fiber, especially soluble fiber,” says Emily Danckers, MS, RD. When you eat soluble fiber, your digestion is slowed down, which can also increase feelings of fullness. They can then concentrate on their work and other items, before thinking about the next meal. Having a go-to, filling breakfast option like oatmeal creates consistency in one’s life.

It can lower ‘bad’ cholesterol “By eating oatmeal every day, you can lower your total cholesterol level, reduce the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, and increase your ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels,” says Megan Byrd, RD. In fact, there’s a specific type of fiber found in oats called beta glucan, which can also be found in barley and rye. According to Frontiers in Nutrition, beta glucan can help lower cholesterol levels through helping to improve the healthy of your gut microbiome. Eating oatmeal every day can also help control your blood sugar because it’s so high in that fiber,” says Byrd. It helps to slow down the speed at which the carbohydrates in your diet reach your bloodstream, making your blood sugar levels more even during the day.