(I am eating oatmeal while typing this.)
Oatmeal has been one of my favorite breakfast, mid-afternoon, and late night snacks. There are many versions of this sort of hot cereal. I usually choose regular oats but my husband (bless his soul) prefers the five-grain hot cereals (oats, barley, oatbran, rye, etc.). All variations are extremely healthy. Here are some things I’ve discovered about making oatmeal extra yummy:
- Try to avoid the sugary, instant oatmeal packets. I know it might be hard to get used to at first, but after you have switched to plain oatmeal, mixing in healthier versions of sweetness, you won’t be sorry!
- If possible, cook your oats on the stove for 30 minutes to an hour. It makes them softer and enhances to flavor significantly. You can also soak them overnight before cooking—but even if you do, I recommend cooking them at least 10-15 minutes.
- Add cinnamon!
- The usual recommended toppings for oatmeal are: nuts, dried fruit, regular fruit (bananas, etc.). My husband eats his oatmeal with brown sugar—more like brown sugar with his oatmeal 😉 If you absoultely must have it sweet, you can mix in a low-sugar jelly instead of sugar. It’s actually pretty good! A friend of mine uses agave nectar to sweeten hers.
- I prefer a non-sweetened version but mix in a bit of natural peanut butter or almond butter, something another friend of mine suggested. It’s delic!
- For those who cannot stomach oatmeal due to childhood trauma, etc., Quaker Oat Bran (or Mother’s Oat Bran) is a sweeter version of oatmeal. It’s texture is a bit more like cream of wheat, but it’s a better option because it’s loaded with fiber and protein.
Happy oat eating.