If I was forced to stop at McDonalds for breakfast, had a gun to my head and had to choose something real quick without thinking, I’d probably choose oatmeal. But let’s be real here, I’ve never HAD to go to McDonalds.
Oatmeal is one of the most benign health foods in the world. It’s pretty hard to screw it up but that’s exactly what fast food has done. If you make oatmeal at home, it’s easiest thing to make ever – hot water/milk and some oats straight out of your pantry and voila – you’ve got breakfast with soluble fiber, protein, and real whole grains that will keep you full for hours.
But when you buy it on the run and or get it “to go” because pouring hot or even cold liquid over something straight out of your pantry is just too much for your busy life – you get cheap GMO oils that promote prostate and bone cancer, coloring that could be cancerous, nasty preservatives, heart disease promoting transfat, stabilizer causing intestinal distress, and oh boy – natural flavor that comes from who knows what.
The ingredients that are added to oatmeal by places like McDonalds, Panera Bread, Jamba Juice, and Quaker (which Burger King, Dunkin Donuts and other fast food places use) are dreadful. This why you must it a priority to make your own oatmeal, even when you don’t think you have time to make it.
I used to travel for work every single week for a few years and I was never forced to buy oatmeal because I had my recipe for oatmeal “on the go” down pat.
Here’s what I did and still do when time is short or when I’m on the run:
- I carry a mixture of 1/4 cup instant plain organic oatmeal, 1/4 cup rolled organic oatmeal, and a few sprinkles of organic cinnamon in a ziplock bag.
- In another ziplock bag, I have one whole date and a few walnuts.
- When I am ready to make oatmeal – I get a cup of hot water from a place like a hotel, gas station or even Starbucks. (No, this is not stealing because they will gladly give this to you for free and I’ll tip the barista for the free water)
- I break or cut up the date into pieces and add the oatmeal into the cup of hot water, do a quick stir and let it sit until it’s warmed through and the oats have soaked up all the water and the date dissolves.
- Before eating, I add the walnuts for a crunchy topping, sometimes I’ll add a packet of almond butter too for a long lasting meal.
- The cinnamon and date act as amazing (real!) natural flavor and sweetness. The date actually dissolves quite a bit in the oatmeal which leaves a great delicious consistency.
- Sometimes this recipe varies, depending what I have access to. I like to add banana, raisins, goji berries and/or other nuts. The toppings you can carry in your bag that travel well are really endless.
Thank you for reading – love you guys.
If you know someone who is still buying fast food oatmeal, please share this post with them. You’ll save their health and help them save lots of cash too.
Xo,
Food Babe
Contest is now closed. Congratulations to Doug J., Nichole , Jackie D. for winning the Country Choice Organic giveaway! Please check your email for details. If you didn’t win – Country Choice Organic is available on Amazon and most natural food stores.
Oatmeal is a good way to start the day. I have bought from this company before via amazon.
Have you herd of Umpquwa Oats? They are an all natural instant oatmealin an on the go container. I sell them at my coffee shop and they are a hit! No bad stuffthat I can see. I’d love to know what you think. If a little company like this can make a good honest product , why can’t the big guys? Another reasonro stick with the independent business owner.
Oh no… I have been eating Starbucks “Perfect” Oatmeal regularly. Thanks for making me see the light! Time to wake up earlier and make it my own lazy self. I would love to win the case of oatmeal!
I love oatmeal! Sad that it’s tainted by so many companies.
I would love to try this oatmeal!
Thanks for the recipe! And what a cool giveaway! Thanks for all the info you provide in your research!
Your website is changing my life – for the great! Thanks!
LOVE this oatmeal!
It’s oatmeal 3 times a week in our house! Golden raisins & walnuts make an appearance regularly for toppings! Thanks for the carry-out idea!
I have always wanted to try this oatmeal! Just subscribed. 🙂
I love your website! I’m taking your tips for packing snacks while traveling. We’re going on a cruise in less than a week. Thank you soo much!!
sign me up pls!@@@
I’d love to try this oatmeal. Thanks for the opportunity!
My kids LOVE oatmeal. I have never tried this brand but will have to next time I run out.
I do make my own oatmeal, but I didn’t realize that Quaker used GMO oats. What a bummer. I am excited to try the Country Choice Organic brand. Love your blog!
What a great giveaway. Thanks for the chance!!
It’s awful to see how places can ruin something like oatmeal. Thanks for the tips & always helpful, healthy information! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I’ve never been forced to buy oatmeal on the go, and I LOVE the steel cut oats I make at home so much, so I’ve never looked into this. How disgusting! I cook flax and wheat germ into it, and my favorite toppings are chia seeds, a little raw honey and chopped walnuts.
LOVE oatmeal and your on the go idea is awesome. I have not heard of Country Choice Organic prior so I will look for them now!
I have subscribed. I would love to try this oatmeal.
Thanks for sharing!
My family loves oatmeal! In fact my husband and I eat overnight oats basically every morning and I make my 7 month old oatmeal every morning as well instead of the boxed stuff! Super easy and easy to change the topping so it does not get old! Love your blog!
I already subscribe to Food Babe and am SO thankful that Country Choice Organic has decided to sponsor this giveaway! I would love to try their products by winning this giveaway! Thanks for all you do!
I <3 oatmeal and eat it most everyday. I didn't know about Quaker and it's issues, nor about what this big brands are putting in their oatmeal to make it less healthy! Thanks for coming through like the rockstar you are Food Babe!!!
I, too, traveled for work for years and carried my own oatmeal with me. I would use the coffee maker in my hotel room to heat up water for my oatmeal. Good stuff – still eat it every day!
mmm, a case of oatmeal!? my husband and i eat steel cut oats daily, and would love to try this brand!
I already subscribe to Food Babe and you would think I’d know better than to trust Starbucks’ oatmeal. Now I know! I certainly don’t understand the purpose of the caramel coloring. Isn’t oatmeal already a nice shade of ‘oatmeal?’
Love my oatmeal for breakfast and would love to try some Country Choice Organic! I’ve been using plain Quaker oats, but am annoyed by Pepsi Co and their not wanting consumers to know about GMOs in their food. Disgusting!
Yum! Going to look for this on my next trip to the grocery store.
Oh I make oatmeal and muesli all the time! Would love to win the giveaway!
I’m already a subscriber… would LOVE this – I travel all the time, and I’m always looking for healthier options to take on the road with me.
Oatmeal is a staple in my house use it for not only oatmeal but in my granola bars as well. So yummy !!!!!!!
Oh gosh! I thought I was being healthy when I got oatmeal at Starbuck’s or Mcdonald’s because I ordered it without the sugar! Then thought I was being even healthier when I made it at home with Quaker oats. It is disappointing & eye opening. Would like to win these oats so I can try them & maybe finally find something healthy to make for breakfast!
Thanks for the “Oatmeal on the go” tips!
I love oatmeal! I had no idea Starbucks added junk to their oatmeal! Why ruin a good thing?? I buy glutenfreeda instant oatmeal for my kids because they don’t like the texture of steel cut oats (my favorite!). However they’re not organic – ill have to try this brand instead!
Subscribed. Love your blog.
Subscribed and started following you a few weeks ago. Have learned SO much in a short time! Great giveaway — I love oatmeal!
I love Oatmeal! I make large batches in my crockpot and keep it in the fridge until I need it…its a good set up since I live in a dorm. I’d love the oatmeal!
This sounds like a great alternative to the Quaker I was eating. I too am boycotting the companies that are fighting against Prop 37.
Im a follower!! I love your articles and tips and oatmeal!
This is our favorite oatmeal, too!
I would love to have this oatmeal to try in my parfait porridge (it’s my new favorite breakfast)!!!
I love oatmeal and so do my kids!! Will be looking for this brand the next time I’m at whole foods!
This is our favorite oatmeal! We make a baked oatmeal at the beginning of the week and these are our oats of choice! Love them!
Love this oatmeal!
We love oatmeal and I visit this blog nearly every single day! Thank you for all your hard work!
Mmmm oatmeal. 🙂
I would love to try this out! I always need a quick and easy breakfast, so will definitely be trying your way out!
mmmm… what I wouldnt give for a free case of oatmeal! Ive been stocking up on organic ingredients to spice up my oatmeal and make it even more fabulous!!
Why can’t fast food shops leave good things alone…..KISS
I would love to try this oatmeal! I am a breast cancer survivor and trying to improve my health, I have recently discovered your blog and love it! Thank you for sharing such wonderful information!!