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.
I would love to get my 18 year old autistic daughter to eat oatmeal. She has now lost 30 pounds just by switching to organic foods and cutting out fast and processed foods! Thanks for reciepes and ideas!
I subscribe and I had oatmeal for lunch! Mine was just plain oats, flaxseed, and a little raw honey.
Have organic oatmeal most mornings. I have not heard of Country Choice. I am going to make a special trip to Whole Foods to look for it. I care deeply about my health. Always on the look out for a good product.
I love oats for breakfast, in veggie burgers, granola, and my new favorite – cherry almond oat squares! Really, I agree, it is so sad that anyone feels the need to alter this nutritionally rich natural food. The worst part of it all is when people think they are making a healthy choice (by going with oatmeal) and yet, it’s modified and packed with like you say “who knows what” – yuck. So thank you for helping spread the word and encouraging people to make informed choices! Time we all demand to know what’s really in our food. I have not yet tried Country Choice Organic Oats, but I hope to soon! 🙂
We love oatmeal in our home.
thank you for this info my family loves oatmeal and i love your blog and fb page!
Would Love to win! Thanks for the opportunity! Need to get my family to eat more oatmeal!
I LOVE Country Choice Old Fashioned Oats! Such a great way to start the day and it feels good knowing it’s good for you. I eat mine with cinnamon, walnuts and banana.
I love oatmeal !
A free case. Yum. My kids and I would love this. I am a subscriber to your newsletter. Will def be looking for it next trip to the store.
I use this oatmeal all the time- glad to see you approve 🙂 great idea for on the go- I’m going to try that- thanks!!!
Very good post Food Babe! It is incredible how they can screw up oatmeal. Just amazing!!! Carry your own wherever you go.
I love oatmeal and use it in everything I possibly can: as a great breakfast, smoothies, baking and to crust fish! The three month supply would definitely help keep my budget under control, not to mention I’ve never tried this brand of oatmeal before! It cold be my new fav and the brand I stick with forever!!!!
I would LOVE to try some of this! 🙂
I subscribed and I always have oatmeal with fresh fruit for breakfast.
I need to switch breakfasts…currently I eat almond butter and jam on 5-ingredient whole-wheat bread, but I’m lacking in the fruit arena. When I make oatmeal I make it with EVERYTHING — honey, vanilla extract, maple syrup, goji berries, chia seeds or flax seeds, raisins…I don’t know, I think either way I’m getting too much sugar, natural or not. But I’m allergic to walnuts (and peanuts!), so I can’t do it exactly your way. Can you think of a good compromise for me? (And do you ever consult for personalized meal plans? I would love to see what you could design for my family, we have lots of severe food and environmental allergies. Even if that’s not something you currently do, would you consider it ever?)
I make my niece oatmeal every day and often wonder if the brand I am using, McCann’s Irish Oatmeal, is a good choice. Would love to try this organic brand. Thanks FoodBabe for all the invaluable information that you provide to us with on an ongoing basis.
Glad I know the truth…
My kids love oatmeal and steel cut oats for breakfast….and it’s disappointing that fast food can mess that up 🙁
I love oatmeal! The “old fashioned” style on the stove only takes a few minutes longer, and is wonderful.
Subscribed a few months ago and love every single post! Food Babe, you have inspired me so much and week by week I am incorporating more and more of your tips. That being said, oatmeal has been my go to breakfast for the past 4 years! Sometimes to switch it up I will eat it cold. So easy and so tasty. Here’s what you do: the night before mix old fashioned rolled oats with your choice of (cold) liquid, I prefer almond milk, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a few slices of whatever kind of fruit you happen to have on hand. Let that sit in the fridge over night. In the morning add a little drizzle of honey and a some flax seed meal.
Our family LOVES oatmeal, im disappointed in starbucks…and
Sad to say i’ve had their oatmeal!
Trader Joes sells this brand of oats as well 🙂
Loving your blog!! Thanks for all the great recipes! I have already made nut milk thanks to you! 🙂
YUM! I love oatmeal. Looking forward to the cooler weather- I cannot eat hot cereal in the summer.
I subscribed!! love your posts, love your reviews…thank you!
Thanks for this awesome post! I make oatmeal almost every day for my family. We have 5 kids, all ages 6 and under, and they always ask if the snacks and meals we eat have sugar in it, and most of the time I can say “no”! 🙂 Teaching them to eat healthfully and take care of their bodies is rewarding in so many ways. My kids have energy but aren’t overactive from a constant sugar-high, they ASK for fruits and veggies when they want a snack, and they are focused and very bright. You have made my life a little easier by helping me to stay informed. Love you!
Looking forward to some real oatmeal, thanks!
I unfortunately cannot eat oatmeal anymore. I used to love it every morning. I never used the instant stuff and I can say I’ve never had the Mcdonalds or Starbucks oatmeal. My husband on the other hand eats the instant stuff all the time. I am now going to fix your ‘instant’ recipe for him! Thanks!
I already subscribe to the blog but would love the opportunity to win! Thanks for highlighting what I had feared was true about the “healthy” options available at fast food joints!
By the way, I have cooked steel cooked oats overnight in a water bath in the crock pot and they are delicious with some fruit added. Next time I am going to add a drop of vanilla to see how that tastes.
I love the Country Choice brand of oats and that it’s available at my local Trader Joe’s. Thanks for pointing out the connection between Pepsi and Quaker Oats. I’ll have to let my friends know about it. Also, I’ve been a subscriber to Foodbabe for a while now and you’ve opened my eyes to a lot of dangers in commercial foods. Thanks!
My husband won’t eat vegetables but he WILL eat oatmeal! 🙂
I’m going to start making oatmeal in the mornings, thanks for the recipe/ideas!
I love your passion! Which I think, unfortunately, a lot of people mistake for judgment and food snobbery. People like you are the reason that these companies (hopefully) will make changes one day. We need more people with your passion for real food!
Now, I’m not judging anyone that orders oatmeal, but I’ve always been grossed out by the thought of ordering oatmeal from anywhere. Reading this makes me glad that I’m odd 🙂 I usually make a large batch of oatmeal (rolled or steelcut) for the week. After cooking, I add honey, cinnamon, sometimes apples. I’ve never tried it with dates but I might just have to do that. (And I’m already subscribed :))
Would love to try this brand out-thanks for a great post!
I shudder to think what the sugar content is in all those faux-food oatmeals. And let’s be honest here. Oatmeal takes less than 3 minutes to make. If you have time to wait in line at the drive-thru, you have time to make your own! I love making oatmeal with green tea for an extra boost of antioxidants.
Love your blog and would love some free oatmeal!
love your on the go oatmeal!! This mom of 5 is going to add it to her breakfast menu!!
I subscribed. My 2 girls and I love oatmeal. I cook up old fashioned oats for them and throw in some frozen organic blueberries to the hot oats. The frozen berries are defrosted by the hot oats and the oats are cooled down to the perfect temps for their little mouths by the frozen berries. No sweateners or anything needed.
This is so scary! Thanks for posting this. You learn something new every day! Free oatmeal wouldn’t be bad either 🙂
I love oatmeal but have to eat in moderation due to mild intolerance to it, but still eat on occasion. Never thought to use dates to sweeten it, but I use dates to sweeten my smoothies! Would love to add oatmeal to the smoothie mix.
Great to know! I eat oatmeal every day for breakfast. However, I usually make it from the instant at home instead of ordering it out. Saves me so much money and I can make it according to my taste on that day.
I will have to check out this brand!
I don’t know this brand but if I win I promise to throw out the Quaker Oats!
We LOVE Country Choice Organic oatmeal at our house! The ‘Old Fashioned’ style is the only kind we eat! It’s great to eat with some fresh fruit or to grind up & use in this smoothie recipe 🙂
http://www.theyummylife.com/Oatmeal_Smoothies
I don’t even understand why they offer “healthy” options if they’re going to make them unhealthy. . .
This is incredible. Thank you for informing us on this. I have been turning my best friend to healthier options and oatmeal has been one of them. I will forward him this article. I would be so grateful if I could win this giveaway. I am a college student and any help would be great. I eat oatmeal every day for breakfast and I would be sharing my winnings with my best friend and roommates. And if not, thank you for sharing this brand! I will definitely be making future purchases via Amazon! 🙂 LOVE your blog. Xo
Not sure if anyone else mentioned it but Trader Joes also carries it. I think they’re charging $2.49 here in the Bay Area.
A case of oatmeal would help our family out tremendously. I don’t always have the funds to purchase organic oatmeal as I try to get the fresh food all organic more. Being a student
A case of oatmeal would help our family out tremendously. I don’t always have the funds to purchase organic oatmeal as I try to get the fresh food all organic more. Being a student and nursing my 4 month old is time consuming and oatmeal is a quick meal we eat often. love your blog and all the ideas.
I already subscribe and would love to win the oatmeal. I want to start eating it more often and not the instant stuff.