Did you know that oats are among the healthiest grains on earth?
I love starting my morning off with a bowl of oatmeal! They are a whole grain food that provides many health benefits including improving blood sugar control & lowering cholesterol. They are a great source of carbs & fiber & also contain more protein than most grains. Oats are also very filling which may help with weight loss.
What kind of oats do I use?
I personally use Quaker Oats in the canister. Avoid oatmeal that comes in packets. Most of the time they are filled with extra sugar.
What’s the difference between steel cut, rolled, & instant oats??
It all has to do with how much the oats are processed. This also results in varying textures & cook times. In regards to nutrition, generally the least amount an item of food is processed, the better it is for you. Steel-cut are least processed of the oats. They take the longest to cook & have a chewier texture. They are great for adding texture while cooking. In recipes, you wouldn’t want to substitute rolled or instant oats for steel-cut. Rolled oats cook faster than steel-cut oats & absorb more liquid. They are flat looking when dry & commonly used in baked goods, such as granola bars, cookies, or muffins. You can substitute instant oats for rolled. Instant oats are the most processed of the three, hold the most liquid, & cook the fastest. Since they hold so much liquid the consistency is mushy. You can substitute rolled oats for instant, however the cooking time will be longer & it will add more texture.
One of the neatest things about oats is that they are SO versatile! When I hear someone say they don’t like oatmeal I always suggest trying them different ways because you can change the flavors in a variety of ways! By themselves oats can be a little bland. Some people are ok with that. I myself on the other hand like them a bit sweet. I’m sharing with you my 3 personal favorite ways to eat them. I personally use the Quaker Oats Quick Oats (instant) in the microwave because I’m a busy mom & I prefer fast & convenient. But feel free to used any oats you choose & adjust the cooking times!
*These recipes can be adjusted to fit YOUR macros! In the recipes below, 1/2 cup of dry oats (without milk) has 27 grams of carbs, 5 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fat.
Apple Pie Oats
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quick Oats
1 cup unsweetened almond or skim milk OR water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp apple pie spice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
sprinkle of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Directions: Mix all together & microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes!
Tips: Try adding diced apples, use all spice, top with walnuts or pecans. I also like this using blueberries, vanilla, a pinch of salt, & cinnamon for blueberry pie oats!
PB&J Oats
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quick Oats
1 cup unsweetened almond or skim milk OR water
2 tbsp jelly (I used either sugar free jelly OR All Fruit)
2 tbsp natural peanut butter
Directions: Combine oats & milk/water. Microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes. Add PB & jelly while hot, stir & enjoy!
Tips: Try overnight oats using 1 cup rolled oats (Old Fashioned if using Quaker brand) with equal parts milk into a mason jar or container with a lid. Then add your PB & J. Let sit overnight & stir the next morning & enjoy them cold or heat them up. You can also try adding chia seeds, real strawberries or Truvia/Stevia for added sweetness (sugar free syrup is great also!) or protein powder to bump up your protein count!
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oats
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quick Oats
1 cup unsweetened almond or skim milk OR water
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Directions: Combine oats & milk/water. Microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes. Add PB & choc chips when hot & stir to melt.
Tips: You can try other baking chips also such as: dark chocolate, butterscotch, white chocolate etc. Just don’t go overboard with the chocolate, remember we are trying to stay healthy!
There you have my top 3 favorite ways to eat oatmeal! I hope you will try one & let me know how you like it or if you did anything different to your liking! I challenge someone who says they don’t like oatmeal to try different recipes. Also try the 3 different oats because you will find you probably prefer 1 over the other, I know I prefer instant. There are SO many ingredients to play around with that you can’t go wrong! Check out my No Bake Bites recipe that is super yummy & for anyone to enjoy! For more ideas, hop on over to my Pinterest Board! What is YOUR favorite way to eat oats?
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