Masa products, processes for preparing them and dietary regimens employing
them are described. A masa product, preferably a tortilla chip, comprises
a cooked, sheeted dough comprising visually apparent oat groats. The oats
are preferably visually identifiable on the surface of the chips and
cover at least about 10% of the total exterior surface of the chip. The
process for preparing the chips comprises the steps of: forming a dough
from water, masa and oat groats; forming the dough into sheeted preforms;
baking the sheeted preforms; holding the preforms following baking for a
period of time sufficient to permit the moisture within the preforms to
equilibrate; and frying the preforms following equilibration. In one
preferred form, the packaged product of the invention will comprise: an
air-tight package; and tortilla chips prepared from a dough comprised of
masa and oats, the chip having clearly identifiable pieces of oat
covering at least 10% of the total exterior surface of the chip. A
regimen is also provided by the for reducing serum cholesterol, and
comprises: at least 3 days out of 7, consuming a serving of tortilla
chips comprising: a baked, fried sheeted hydrated mixture comprising masa
and oats, and oil containing cholesterol-lowering phytosterols.