As long as I'd been over-weight, breakfast was a hit or miss event. When I was in high school, I didn't have the time to sit down and eat something. When I was in college, I'd end up in the cafeteria getting eggs and biscuits (and yes - sometimes sausage gravy... oops! the down side to going to college in the south!) It wasn't until I graduated, got a real world job, and got a schedule that I really figured out how important breakfast is!The first few days I went without it, I'd be ravaging at lunch, and I'd make bad choices. I've never really enjoyed breakfast food, I'm not big on cereal, I don't like milk, sweet things tend to make my stomach hurt early in the morning, so I struggled to find something I liked.
One day I was reading my mom's Prevention magazine, and saw an article about the importance of breakfast, and how great oatmeal is. I always thought oatmeal took forever to cook, was thick and flavorless... not anything exciting to me!
I was SO WRONG!
Now, oatmeal is my everything. The health benefits are AMAZING! See this article here, from Quaker.
Some people do not like the Quick Cook oats because they can get a bit thick and loose their texture, but I don't have a problem with them! I think oatmeal is a delicious canvas for a million flavors. Some of my favorite additions are: soy milk, skim milk, pumpkin puree, dried fruit, bananas, apple butter, pumpkin butter, flax seeds, cinnamon, and peanut butter. Usually during the week I just add some milk and honey, but over the weekend I really like to make it something special.
If you really want to see oatmeal art, and someone who loves it, see Kath's Tribute!
So if you struggle to get something down in the morning because of time or you just can't find something you like, try oatmeal! Not only is it so good for you, it will keep you feeling full, it will warm your belly, and you can change it up daily! You can buy preportioned 'weight control' oats, where you just dump it in a bowl with some water, or you can do what I do and get bulk oats in a bin, and keep a 1/2 c. measuring scoop in there!
Note: Photo is from Quaker website.
I love oatmeal. Trader Joe's has steel cut oatmeal (frozen) and it hits the spot every morning.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I added a touch of brown sugar and pumpkin butter. Delish!
Thank you Ashley. I read your blogs almost every day. You are inspiration to me. If you can do it, I know I can do it.
Thanks for the healthy inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteI too love oatmeal!! But sometimes those Krispy Kreme's get the best of me!!
Oatmeal is my newest discovery. I always thought it was nasty when I had tried it before in the past. My husband convinced me to try it again this week. We bought strawberries and cream flavored. The great thing about it...It's only 2 points on WW. I may be 130 some calories...Anyways...that's my spill on it. :)
ReplyDeleteI love oatmeal too - especially on cold mornings. I add raisins, cinnamon and honey to mine and it always hits the spot.
ReplyDeleteI have to eat two packets of instant oatmeal to be full. Is that still a healthy breakfast? Is regular slow cook better then instant oatmeal (in other words, is the instant stuff just as bad as sugary kids cereal)? Most of the times that can keep me satisfied from 8-12, sometimes I have to have a small snack around 10 or 10:30.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration, thank you!
Amanda
I LOVE oatmeal. My favorite is the slow cooking steel cut oats (they have a different texture that I like more). Instead of waking up 30 minutes earlier to cook them I just crockpot them overnight, they're awesome. Mixed with some almond butter and raisins-- I'm perfectly full until after my mid-day workout.
ReplyDeleteI'm on a big oatmeal kick lately. I've been adding raisins and 1 tbsp of toasted almonds for a little healthy fat and texture. Especially during the cold winter, it's so comforting.
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