Eat it or you go without. Ahh childhood. Up until six months ago, I haven’t regularly eaten oatmeal since I was a child. A few times in my 20s, I bought those instant – add water kind and microwave it – oatmeal packages but eating oatmeal has never been a part of my morning routine.
Coffee and bagel. Then when I got “healthier” and I swapped out bagels for green smoothies.
Last year I decided to kick start my mornings with oatmeal because I wanted to add more whole grains in my diet and I wanted to shake things up. It helped that I bought an Instant Pot, which now makes the mornings even more awesome.
I feel fantastic. My mid-morning cravings are gone. And I even crave the oats when I swap a smoothie or pancakes for breakfast. I think it even makes me a better runner.
Health Canada notes the importance that whole grains play in a healthy eating lifestyle. Tips:
- Choose whole grain foods with little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat.
- Read the label on foods to find out if the first ingredients listed are whole grains.
Hacks for a better bowl of oatmeal
1. Avoid instant oatmeal – I assume you are eating oatmeal because it is healthy. This is generally the most processed and it’s packed with sugar, salt and other junk. Don’t get me wrong, I used to love eating the instant maple syrup oatmeal until I smartened up. There are healthier ways!
Oatmeal comes in many forms: rolled, steel cut oats (least processed), instant, which differ in nutrient value and processing. Quick oats. Rolled oats. Steel Cut oats. Choose what you like and stick with it.
2. Make it ahead – Save your time. You can easily heat it up in the microwave or eat it cold. I make a big batch in my Instant Pot on Sundays so I have enough for the week. Stovetop oatmeal takes a little time but if you set aside the time, you can definitely save time during the week.
These days I take my oatmeal and eat it at my desk at work. That way I can enjoy it while checking emails and organizing my day. It’s comforting.
3. Add some fun – We’re well past just eating plain oatmeal. My favourite combo right now is: a dab of peanut butter, hemp hearts and frozen blueberries. Sometimes I add chopped nuts, chia seeds, and any fruit that I have on hand. The peanut butter though is the game changer.
Other toppings: cocoa powder, maple syrup, nut butters, bananas, cinnamon, ginger. The possibilities are endless!
Benefits of eating oats: Oats are a whole grain, which is an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber. (Yay fiber or is it fibre?) Research shows that eating a diet high in fire can lower risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.