Oatmeal: Breakfast of Champions

I have always loved oatmeal. The flavor, the consistency, and the satiating feeling I get after finishing a serving all contribute to my liking of oatmeal. Believe it or not, I eat oatmeal for breakfast about five times a week! I know what you’re thinking…”wow that is a really boring breakfast menu”. Sorry, but I have to disagree. There are so many healthy ways that you can craft your oatmeal; adding brown sugar, cinnamon, a variety of fruits, milk, nuts, and raisins…all of these ingredients play into an intricate variety of flavors to tantalize your palate.

Before I share with you a few recipes that I’ve tried and loved, here are some interesting and important facts about oatmeal that will help you to shape up and become a healthier you:

• According to recent studies, a daily serving of oatmeal can lower blood cholesterol.*


• When combined with a low fat diet, Oats can help reduce the risk of heart disease.*


• Whole Oats are Better Thank Quick Oats: Whole oats (rolled, old fashioned, steel cut) are in the whole-grain family. Instant oats are thin, pre-cooked small pieces of oats that are less nutritious and most often have added sodium.*

*Learn More Here

Now, as promised, here are a few delicious oatmeal recipe ideas for you!

Cinnamon Oatmeal

½ cup Whole/Rolled/Old Fashioned Oats*
1 tsp Cinnamon
Water
*(the store brand ones are the same as Quaker, but less $$)

For stovetop: Place oats in a small sauce pan. Add water until mixture is very soupy. Let sit on medium heat until it starts to bubble. Once bubbling, stir constantly until all oats are cooked and your ingredients have become the texture of oatmeal. Place in a bowl, sprinkle the Cinnamon on top, mix and enjoy! (If you like a little sweet flavor, you can add a packet of sweetener. However, I find that adding sweetener causes my body to crave more food, even when it is full.)

For microwave: Same instructions as the stovetop except that you place the oats/water mixture into a microwave-safe, uncovered container & cook on high for about 2 minutes. Be sure to watch it the entire time as oatmeal may bubble over the top of your container.

“Banana Bread” Oatmeal

½ small banana (more if you want – this is what I use)
All ingredients from Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe

Cook either via stovetop or microwave exactly as described for the Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe. However, before cooking, add your banana (in slices) to the oats/water mixture. The natural sugars in the banana make this recipe sweet, so no additional sweeteners are necessary.

Oatmeal with Milk, Raisins & Nuts

½ cup Whole/Rolled/Old Fashioned Oats
Water
1 TBSP Raisins
1 TBSP chopped Walnuts (other types are good too)
¼ cup Skim Milk (you can use whole, 1% or 2%, but skim is the least caloric)

Cook oatmeal as directed in the Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe, either via stovetop or microwave. Once cooked to taste, instead of adding the cinnamon, add your milk, raisins and nuts (don’t like nuts or raisins? Leave them out!). Mix & enjoy! The milk gives your oatmeal calcium, additional protein, and a creamy texture and flavor that is delicious. The raisins add a nice sweet flavor and the nuts protein and a crunch, nutty flavor. The combination of the oat, milk, raisin, and nutty flavors yield one tasty breakfast meal! (If you are watching your calories, leaving out the nuts and raisins will save you over 200 calories! However, despite the calories, the nuts offer a lot of healthy benefits – so maybe just forego the raisins)