Once upon a time, pounds and pounds ago, before I lost a lot of weight – I ate oatmeal for breakfast. But the oatmeal I ate, I think it’s safe to say, wasn’t exactly of the “healthy” variety. Sure, I ate oatmeal because I thought it was good for me, and the oatmeal itself WAS healthy. It was just so covered in toppings that were not healthy that the bowl of oatmeal was more like a gigantic oatmeal cookie. I added cream, brown sugar, butter – the list went on and on.
Oatmeal itself – the plain variety – is indeed very good for you. A half-cup of oatmeal has five grams of protein, 27 grams of carbs, three grams of fat and only 150 calories. Yes, we all know it’s high in fiber and very low in fat, but it can be a bit on the dull side. With just a few small additions – of the healthy choice rather than the high fat and calorie choices – oatmeal can be a delicious and nutritious breakfast option.
- One recipe that I really enjoy, especially as the weather turns cooler, adds one crushed low-fat graham cracker, 2 Tbsp. fresh or canned pumpkin and 2 tsp. brown sugar.
- Stirring peanut butter into the oatmeal is also yummy, and peanut butter plus pureed banana makes for a treat that can’t be beat.
- One of my children loves dried fruits – cherries, golden raisins and blueberries – mixed in with a small handful of nuts – almonds and walnuts, which gives you a rich serving of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Also try these homemade oatmeal recipes:
Fresh Berry Oatmeal with Sweet Cream
Oatmeal, once the most avoided breakfast choice, is instead a welcome treat. So don’t avoid oatmeal at breakfast, instead, avoid the candied oatmeal from the grocery store.