We have a lot of favorite things that start with O -- oranges, origami, Oprah (not necessarily in that order). But today, we're talking about one of our other favorites -- OATMEAL. Check it out...
Oatmeal ABCs
Oats are a great power food. They're high in fiber (so they keep you feeling full for a long time) and packed with B vitamins. Plus, studies have linked oatmeal (when eaten regularly) to lowered LDL cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, and lowered risk for type 2 diabetes.
Confused by the different types of oatmeal? Everyone is. Here's a quick rundown:
Steel-Cut (Irish) - Coarse, chopped up oats. Take longer to cook, but yield chewier oatmeal.
Old-Fashioned (Rolled) - Oat flakes that have been steamed, rolled flat, and toasted. Minimally processed for maximum health benefits.
Quick-Cooking - Old-fashioned oats that have been rolled thinner and cut into smaller pieces, so they cook faster.
Instant - Thin, precooked oats with less natural flavor and texture. Often contain added salt, sugar, and/or other flavorings.
Quick Picks!
Quaker Simple Harvest All Natural Instant Multigrain Hot Cereal
This stuff has oats plus plenty of other whole grains, like rye and barley. Score! Try every flavor -- Apples with Cinnamon; Vanilla, Almond and Honey; and Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans -- because they're all good. Yes, ALL.
This super-hearty, hot 'n oaty, nukeable frozen b-fast cereal comes in 3 varieties (already in their own bowls!) -- Rolled Oats, Steel-Cut Oats, and Multi-Grain. Amy's also makes a Cream of Rice Hot Cereal Bowl, but there are no oats involved, so we left that one out.
Kashi GOLEAN Hot Cereal
PER SERVING (1 packet): 150 calories, 2g fat, 100mg sodium, 25 - 26g carbs, 5 - 7g fiber, 6 - 7g sugars, 8 - 9g protein -- POINTS® value 2*
Mmmmmm, this cereal is soooo good. AND it's lower in sugar than many instant hot cereals (so if you like yours sweet, throw in a Splenda packet). There are 2 flavors -- Hearty Honey Cinnamon and Creamy Truly Vanilla -- for you to start your day with.
Kozy Shack Ready Grains Healthy All Natural Multigrain Cereal
As occasionally lazy humans, we love it when things are all ready to go. This creamy stuff is made with low-fat milk and 4 types of whole grains (including steel-cut oats AND rolled ones... fancy!). The folks at Kozy Shack say you can eat it hot OR cold, but we say HEAT IT. Choose from Apple & Cinnamon, Maple Brown Sugar, Original, and Strawberry. We like the Original best (and the Strawberry least).
Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal
PER SERVING (1 container, nothing added): 140 calories, 2.5g fat, 105mg sodium, 25g carbs, 4g fiber, 0g sugars, 5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*
Way to go, Starbucks -- your oatmeal ROCKS! It's totally satisfying, delicious, and customizable. Served with a 50-calorie packet of brown sugar, 100 cals' worth of dried fruit, and a 100-calorie nut medley, you can add items to your o-meal as you please. Heads up -- adding ALL of the extras to your bowl will cause it to contain close to 400 calories and a POINTS® value of 8*. So choose a couple of items and save the rest for later, perhaps?
M.Y.O.O. (Make Your Own Oatmeal... and Oatmeal-Infused Items!)
Grab 'n Go Breakfast Cookies - These are like oatmeal that you can pick up and munch on as you run out the door (minus the sticky fingers). Click 'n scroll, baby!
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*The PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsement or approval of the product, recipe, or its manufacturer or developer by Weight Watchers International, Inc., the owner of the PointsPlus® registered trademark and SmartPoints® trademark.
SmartPoints® value not what you expected?Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.