Do you think flavored oatmeal is just as healthy as plain oatmeal?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
September 9, 2007 5:56am CST
Quaker Oats has been running an advertisement on TV lately for the flavored oatmeal varieties, claiming that they can be a healthy part of everyone's diet. So, we tried them out. And, they are much more delicious than the plain oatmeal. I like the kind with apples or strawberries and cream.
And, even though they're really delicious, I don't feel as if they are helping with the diet any. In fact, they taste so good, I'm sure they must be loaded with sugar. Perhaps they contain a sugar substitute.
Does anyone know whether or not the flavored oatmeal is as healthy for someone on a diet as the regular plain variety? And, if not, what could you put on plain oatmeal to make it worth eating? Would love to know.
5 people like this
6 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
9 Sep 07
Always be suspicious of anything that may be artificial in perpared foods. Buy regular oatmeal and soak it over night and it will cook in minutes. To enhance the flavour add a handful of raisins or chopped nuts. Oatmeal is a delicious breakfast cereal and will help lower cholesterol levels.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
9 Sep 07
I like the raisins and chopped nuts idea. Perhaps I will add a dash of cinnamon, which I have heard helps lower or regulate blood sugar. Not sure if it's true, but it is certainly delicious. Thank you for the tips.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
9 Sep 07
I flavor my own oatmeal at home. The processing involved to make it instant destroys some of the fiber and that is what is so beneficial to your heart and weight loss. You can still cook it quickly in the microwave--two and a half minutes in a deep bowl in the microwave on high. I stir in peanut butter and brown sugar, or real maple syrup, chopped apples and raisins. If you want it to taste decadent, use flavored coffee creamer instead of milk. Chopped bananas. Any kind of dried fruit or nuts. Throw in a few chocolate chips. Just use your imagination. If you flavor it yourself you control what kind and how much other stuff goes into it. If you still like the instant, add something to boost the fiber back up, like ground flax seed. Keep on enjoying your oatmeal, just do not be mislead by the hype, and be in control of what is in it.
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I love oatmeal, but when cook it at home, instead of water, I use milk.
Then I add a ton of raisins and maybe 2 tons of cinnamon - well I maybe exaggerating a bit here, but I do use a lot of both of these. ANd of course, I add a bit more milk to cool it down.
Some almonds are nice too.
I find that the packaged stuff is just too expensive for me.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I would think that my homegrown oatmeal is healthier then all of the artificial stuff the use in the packaged oatmeal.
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
10 Sep 07
Oatmeal with cinnamon and honey is gorgeous and very good for you too. I am often quite cautious with artificial flavours in products so I prefer to keep things simple.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
9 Sep 07
I have no idea about this, but I prefer flavored oatmeals. I love the sweet flavor of the oatmeals. I never buy plain oatmeals like the way I don't like plain milk.
