Oat of this world!

You know what I love? When what I want to eat is what’s best for me, too. All hail oatmeal! It’s quick, delicious, and steaming hot. With a cup of hazelnut coffee, it’s one of my favorite breakfasts, always keeping me full and focused ‘til lunch. And research shows that oats and oat-based products can significantly lower cholesterol — excellent news for your heart.

But all oatmeal is not created equal. When shopping, it’s best to buy old-fashioned or quick-cooking oatmeal rather than instant. Because the instant variety has been precooked, it tends to lack some of the nutrients and fiber of traditional oatmeal. The cooking process also lessens the natural flavoring, which is why so many instant oatmeals are full of sugar, added flavors, and are higher in calories. Buy the real stuff, then add your own toppings for extra taste and fiber. Below, an oatmeal primer.

Your oatmeal should have… fewer than 200 calories and 8 grams of sugar and over 4 grams of fiber per serving. I love Quaker Oats Quick Cooking Oatmeal, Amy’s Breakfast Bowls, and McCann’s Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal.
To spice up your bowl with no added calories… sprinkle on some cinnamon, which can also help lower cholesterol and control blood sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also try cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, or apple pie spice.

For a sweeter treat… try mixing in a handful of fruit such as blueberries, chopped up apples, or bananas, 2 tablespoons of dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped up walnuts or pistachios. You can also add 1 teaspoon of honey or brown sugar if the oatmeal has no added sugar already.

When cooking your oats on the stove… save calories by making it with water instead of milk. Feel free to add a splash of skim milk, though — it’ll thicken up the oatmeal and add just the right amount of flavor.

Cook some up this morning, and let us know your favorite toppings, tips, and tricks!

Comments (44)

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Thursday March 5, 2009 Leslie wrote:

... I have a cup of old fashioned oatmeal cooked in water every morning. I add 2 tsp of craisin, 2 tsp of black raisin, few chopped crystalized ginger for the taste. It tastes SUPER GOOD.. the sweetness from the raisin, the sour from the craisin, plus a little kick of spicy from the ginger. It's good for your health and good for the cold morning in Colorado.
Hope you will enjoy my creation.

Thursday March 5, 2009 Stephanie wrote:

... Hi Sofia,

Thanks for the tip on oatmeal...I love oatmeal and the ways you mention to sweeten it, like adding dried cranberries, caramon, apple spices, brown sugar are things that I already have in my kitchen. That way I can stay away from the white sugar.

THANKS

Thursday March 5, 2009 mikey wrote:

... lately it's been rolled oats made with water. added: raisins, slivered almonds, flax, wheat berries, cinnamon, and peanut butter. yum! and keeps me on top of my game till lunch. 0_o

Thursday March 5, 2009 Tara wrote:

... Great tip on adding stuff to oatmeal. Thanks! :)

Thursday March 5, 2009 Kathryn wrote:

... I absolutely agree!! The most important meal is breakfast and there is no better way to start than to have a high fiber low calorie meal. I love oatmeal!!!!

Thursday March 5, 2009 Jewels wrote:

... I love taking the Quaker Weight Control oatmeal packets and making little muffins out of it to eat with some fruit & my coffee...YUM! Super easy, you just grind up the oatmeal (to make oat flour), add 1/4 tsp baking powder & 2-3 TBS of egg beaters (or egg whites) and vanilla extract or a splash of FF milk or water or coffee and mix up and micro for about 1.5 mins or bake (toaster oven) for about 10 mins at 350. Top with a ff whip creme and some fruit or add your fruit inside like banana or apple. I use those little silicone cupcake cups or single serving dish of some sort. Or I use those a mini muffin pan to make several so it feels like I get a lot for the same amount of cals..haha.

Friday March 6, 2009 Cathy Barrow wrote:

... I love oatmeal too! Here are some more yummy things to add to your oatmeal! flavored coffee creamer, sunflower kernals, jelly, preserves, maple syrup, brown sugar, marshmallows, chocolate chips, favorite yogurt, dry cereal, granola, peanut butter, fresh fruits, dried fruits, sweet-n-low, flaked coconut, crushed pineapple, egg nog. Of course,choose fat-free/sugar-free when you can, and all things in moderation. Also try sprinkling dry quick cooking oatmeal: in yogurt, mixed in with ice cream, in your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, in pancake mix. These are great ways to get kids (and adults) to eat oatmeal!

Friday March 6, 2009 Kim wrote:

... My favorite oatmeal treat is a little higher in calories but a great substitute for pancakes on the weekend. Follow the direction on Quaker Quick Cooking Oatmeal using skim milk. Add brown sugar while cooking to taste. After the oatmeal has cooked transfer to an oven safe bowl, set oven to broil. Layer vanilla yogurt on the oatmeal, top with sliced bananas and finish with a sprinkling of brown sugar. Put this under the broiler until the sugar melts. It's absolutely delicious!!! I've also tried this with peaches, which is also great but a little sweeter than with the bananas.

Friday March 6, 2009 Marguerite wrote:

... I've always loved oatmeal! I particularly the stone ground multi-grain cooked cereals. I add just about anything to it - including peaches! I've also got my 3-year-old nephew eating it. It seems he'll only eat it at Auntie's house, though. :o)

Friday March 6, 2009 Samina wrote:

... I absolutely LOVE Quaker Simply Harvest All Natural Multigrain oatmeal. I get the vanilla, almond and honey flavored. It's lighter on calories (160 cal) but just realized it has 9g of sugar. It does have the 4g fiber you suggested. Is this still ok to eat?

Friday March 6, 2009 Julie wrote:

... I've been eating Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal for 2.5 years now every day for breakfast. It is High in fiber and protein and low in fat and sugar; however, my cholesterol has not gone down so don't believe that commercial - it's just a commercial so you'll try it. And yes, I follow a healthy overall diet, I am a lifetime weight watchers member.

Friday March 6, 2009 Janet wrote:

... I love old fashioned oats with craisins, walnuts, ground flaxseed, brown sugar, and lactaid fat free calcium enriched milk. I can't rememeber where I read about it or why it is supposed to be extra good for you but strawberries and oatmeal is supposed to be very healthy

Friday March 6, 2009 laurie wrote:

... I am very happy to see that things that I been doing with oat meal is not just my own idea.

Friday March 6, 2009 Claire wrote:

... So I get a serving of fruit I add a 4oz cup of unsweetened applesauce to mine.

Friday March 6, 2009 Brenda wrote:

... I like cinnamon with almond extract

Saturday March 7, 2009 Darcy wrote:

... My family loves steel-cut oats (even my daughter who doesn't like oatmeal!) They take a bit longer to prepare (10 - 20 minutes) but are well worth it! We like Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats. Each serving is only 140 calories and 0 g sugar with 4 g of fiber and 6 g protein!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Kim wrote:

... I love rolled oats or Irish oatmeal and add 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple in its own juice, tbsp. walnuts, handful of craisins, flax seed and agave nectar for some sweetness. This is my basic breakfast, but love to add different fruits in season.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Amanda wrote:

... Ussualy I don't add that much, somtime cinamon apples, other wise I just pour some milk on top and a little bit of brown sugar. Its kinda plain, but its my fovorite! :)

Saturday March 7, 2009 brenda wrote:

... I start with 1/3 cup dry oatmeal cook it in water and add flaxseed, sugar-free maple flavored syrup and cinnamon, or sometimes apple pie spice, really good. I am a diabetic and need the extra fiber from the flaxseed, and have to really watch the carbs so this works well for me.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Barb wrote:

... I like Quaker Old Fashoned Oats... in the morning I am rushed (like everyone else) so I get everything ready the night before. Get the pan on the stove, have the oats measured and in my bowl with the raisins I like to add. Measure the water into the pan. In the morning all I have to do is turn it on and add the oats and raisins. I usually sprinkle a little brown sugar on when it's done, and add some fat free milk. YUM

Saturday March 7, 2009 Vonice wrote:

... My husband buys steel cut oats from the Amish Bulk Store. We put 1 cup oats with 4 cups water in the crockpot on low overnight. I put the extra in the refrigerator and just warm up a bowlful every morning for breakfast. We usually add raisins but have added Craisins, apples, flax seed, even Grits! It is an easy way to get your fiber plus you don't waste time in the morning when you're in a hurry.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Carolyn Suddes wrote:

... Try this DELISH oatmeal recipe!:
1 tsp. sugar free french vanilla powdered coffee creamer
1 Tbl fat free, sugar free dry vanilla pudding mix
a dash of salt
1 packet of Splenda

Mix all of these ingrdients with 2 oz. of warm water then add:

1/3 c. quick oats
1/4 c. Sugar free Vanilla flavored Almond Breeze almond milk
1/2 c. frozen berries (blueberries work best-but any berry is good)

Mix all ingredients together and the microwave on high for 3 minutes!

Best creamiest oatmeal I've ever eaten and if you are watching your weight (and who isn't), it is only 3 Weight Watcher Points!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Dee wrote:

... Try making your oatmeal with vanilia soy milk... it's good for you and it tastes divine!

Saturday March 7, 2009 juliette Heggemann wrote:

... I also love oatmeal! I have it every morning. I use the generic Quaker oats-shop n save Quick Oats. I use water instead of milk for watching calories and sugar level(milk has sugar in it)(also prediabetic),cinnamon, splenda and protein powder--chocolate . It is yummy! I dont feel my day is complete if I dont have my oatmeal!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Rachel wrote:

... Protein powder is an excellent idea Juliette. That way, it keeps you fuller, longer because it is a perfect combo of fiber and protein!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Carmen wrote:

... I'm not a "sweets" eater, esapecially in the morning. Does anyone have some suggestions for a more savory oatmeal breakfst recipe?

Saturday March 7, 2009 Janice wrote:

... We put our oatmeal (not quick cooking) in a crock pot the night before so it is ready to go in the morning. Just add the topping of your choice (we like raisins, but you have to add them in the morning).

Saturday March 7, 2009 Lynn wrote:

... I love the Kashi Go Lean Creamy all natural Instant hot cereal, Truly Vanilla. It has 9 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber and 260 mg of omega -3. The amazing thing iis that it is so creamy and delicious. I wsn't a big fan of eating breakfast but now love to start the day with this one.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD wrote:

... Dear Carolyn,
thanks for posting those oatmeal recipes! They sound delicious-- and so innovative! I never thought about adding sugar-free vanilla pudding mix! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing these recipes with our readers!

Saturday March 7, 2009 jlpeth wrote:

... I love old fashioned oats mixed with quick cooking irish oats. Cook in the microwave (3min 50% power) Add a little skim milk, a handful of chopped dates, a little honey and a spoonful of toasted coconut. It's the best!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Jeannie wrote:

... I love Kashi oatmeal... I make it at work and have many of the others there switched to Kashi. The Apple & Cinnamon is terrific as is the Raison and spice. I like it loose & watery so I can drink it and my deskmate likes to put it in the microwave for a minute to make it puffy.

Saturday March 7, 2009 miki wrote:

... If you're eating oatmeal for the fiber, it's best to have the real stuff rather than the "quick" version which has less. Oatmeal lowers cholesterol and adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon will help lower your sugar level as well. Add some dried blueberries and you don't even need sweetener.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Subrina Pechacek wrote:

... Sounds good to me.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Karen Baumann wrote:

... Trader Joe's Multigrain Oatmeal that has oats,rye & barley is DELICIOUS! It's loaded with fiber & keeps me content for HOURS!

Saturday March 7, 2009 Lisa wrote:

... I add a tsp each of bee pollen, flax seeds, and wheat germ. According to eating clean mistress, Tosca Reno, it's "health in a bowl". But I buy quakers weight control, kashi's go lean truly vanilla, and natures path optimum blueberry. The fiber keeps me fuller longer, and i sometimes add a half a scoop of protein powder to balance out all the carbs. Especially on days when i need a little extra muscle oomph.

Saturday March 7, 2009 Robyn Millar wrote:

... My children and I love old fashioned oats cooked on the stove top. I make it with milk so that we get extra calcium and it also adds some protein. After it is done cooking, I add frozen blueberries to it, and in 30 seconds, the temperature is just right for the kids to enjoy it.

Sunday March 8, 2009 Stefanie Schmidt wrote:

... I love oatmeal in the mornings to wake me up and give me energy. I like to mix sugar free maple syrup in oatmeal for a sweet treat that is low in calories. It is also fun to mix in dried fruit or sugar free jam.

Monday March 9, 2009 Cheri wrote:

... Wonderful suggestions! Try adding 1 tsp.per serving of dry sugar-free gelatin of your favorite flavor. Mixing 1 packet plain whole grain oatmeal with any other kind saves calories, carbs, etc. Share or save half for the next day. Be sure to remember to add ground flax seed every time.

Monday March 9, 2009 Lor wrote:

... I thought steel cut oatmeal was the best for fiber as well as nutrients.

Monday March 9, 2009 Laura wrote:

... I LOVE oatmeal. My husband makes it 5-6 days a week for breakfast. He makes it on the stove with milk. In mine he has started adding 2 strawberries, and it's great and looks pretty too! My Cholesterol has gone down 10 points since January!

Monday March 9, 2009 Amanda kenney wrote:

... I use the old fashioned oats. I microwave it with just enough filtered water (sometimes adding more to change up the thickness and consistency to not tire of the meal), some raisins before heating (the cooking in water softens them) and a little brown sugar sprinkled on top. If you add the brown sugar after it's cooked and don't stir, it tastes sweeter. It seems to lose some flavor if you stir it in completely. Also, a little ground flaxseed and/or wheat germ sprinkled on top make it more filling, healthy and delicious (if you don't like the flavor of flaxseed, you may still learn to love wheat germ. It's flavor is much more mild).

Yum!

Tuesday March 10, 2009 Rachel wrote:

... Even Oprah is jumping on the oatmeal bandwagon! Click here for info about a Quaker Oats giveaway in NY: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/co...9424dab704

Saturday March 14, 2009 Tate wrote:

... My recipe is from my grandmother, but updated. I get a tall glass and fill it halfway with water. Then I add 1/3 cup of soymilk. Then I pour dry old-fashioned oats into the cup (about 1 cup of oats), add pure vanilla, one packet of stevia, and tons of cinnamon. Let it soak for about 10 minutes and drink/eat cold. It's sweet and refreshing, and great because the oats are raw and digest slower, retaining more of the fiber and keep your blood sugar balanced. And it's delicious!

Friday April 3, 2009 ErinShea wrote:

... I can't stand oatmeal, but I would like to learn to love it. It is the mushy texture that I think I don't like. I really do not think that it tastes that bad, I just can't stand mush. Do you have any ideas of how I can either like a bowl of oatmeal or something I can make with oatmeal, so that I can have the oatmeal and the benfits, but not the mush? I have been told cookies and bars, etc. but are those my only options, since I need to cut down on sugar, too?

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