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.
Thanks for the info…I’m very guilty of buying oatmeal on the go…tomorrow I’m making my children and myself oatmeal
i LOVE this brand of oatmeal!
I love to make my own oatmeal similar to your recipe healthy and delicious.
I love oatmeal.
I am always on the go and refuse to eat out, so my morning grab and go options usually end up being a banana or apple, protein shake…. this is a great idea!
LOVE oatmeal. The real stuff, made at home, with nothing artificial!
I love oatmeal especially steel cut! Pick me for the giveaway bc of my unique circumstances! I live on a small island in the Turks and Caicos and have limited access to quality foods. I have to ration groceries I bring in periodically from the states. Quaker oats are alloys can find here. Please ship us something better that will last a while! Thanks! Love your posts…very informative!
Crazy that a staple like oatmeal can be trashed by these places.
I love oatmeal. We eat it about 5 mornings a week and it never gets old!
Thanks for the post. My family always eats oatmeal on the weekend; will be changing brands.
Would love to try!
Thanks!
This is the best oatmeal! Would LOVE to win this!!
My husband eats oatmeal all the time. He keeps a container of it in his work bag. I on the other hand mix it into my home made protein energy bars for “oattie” goodness.
I’m already subscribed! I love your website btw! I love oatmeal and don’t leave home without it! I normally eat the steel cut oats and soak them overnite with coconut milk or almond milk and fresh fruit. Then it is all ready to go in the morning in case I have to run out the door!
Thank you for the give away!
I have never tried this brand!
Subscriber and love oatmeal ! Thanks for the chance.
I’m new in these areas, but sooo glad to be here!
I’m already subscribed & love your posts! Love Oatmeal! If I could only get my husband to love it too 🙂
I’m a subscriber!! I have tried this oatmeal and it’s great!
I feel strongly about Proposition 37 and GMO’s also. Now that Whole Foods is opening up down the street, I will certainly support this brand. Trader Joe’s also does not sell any GMO products as I understand it, but it is not as close and convenient to get to always. I laud any companies that stick to their principles.
Country Choice is my favorite brand! I would love to win a case! 🙂
Love some oatmeal!! Thanks for all the research you do!
Never tried this brand. I usually stick to Nature Valley- Oatmeals. I’ll be keeping my eye open for the Country Choice Oatmeal next time!! 🙂
xoxo
This is my FAVORITE oatmeal. I like the old fashion ones. Just subscribed!
It takes five minutes to make a decent oatmeal at home – I make a big pot on Monday, keep the rest in the fridge and scoop out a daily bit every day. Add walnuts, berries and some almond or hemp milk and oh yes, you may want to heat it up first – I don’t like microwaves so I just let mine set out awhile.
Love your blog!
SuZen
We eat oatmeal almost everyday.
I would love to win this oatmeal. I love oatmeal and so do my six kids. I’m new to eating organic and cant wait to try this brand of oatmeal.
Already a subscriber. Haven’t tried this brand of oatmeal but will in the future, especially if I win! Thanks for all your research!
Would love to win, I love all your post. Thank you for hosting the giveaway
I love oatmeal & eat it every day!
I just subscribed yesterday! I usually prepare oatmeal for my husband and myself the night before, uncooked, soaked in almond milk, a little plain yogurt, honey, sprinkled with flax and chia seeds, and topped with fruit. Delicious!!
LOVE oatmeal! Just think of all the recipes I could try!
Oatmeal is supposed to be an ingredient, not have them.
I make overnight oats every day with my own museli mix and kefeir- would LOVE to win!
I also do the same thing at work in my draw i have a few on a Ziploc bag, 1/4 C old fashoined oatmeal,cinamon, flaxeed, chia seed.
Wow… I didn’t know any of this! If I won this it would save use a lot of money because we eat oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes dinner too. Yum. Shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
I will not buy Quaker anymore….love oatmeal with cinnamon. Just tried it with a 1/2 mashed banana today and it was so good.
I’ve never heard of that brand before. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks:)
I’ve never tried this brand, but I LOVE oatmeal!!!
I love this brand of oatmeal, and I’m so glad to know that you endorse it!
Looks yummy!
Thanks for the idea for oatmeal while traveling.
This oatmeal is great! My family of 4 eats it warm with walnuts ,plain yogurt and frozen blueberries! I know it sounds odd, but the sweetnessof the blueberries goes great with the tartness of the yogurt, and a little extra chewing satisfaction with the walnuts! Mmm yummy!
I’m excited to try this oatmeal! I have never tried it and certainly getting free ones to try are better than buying my own 😀
already a subscriber 🙂 I always make oatmeal but never thought to sweeten it with a date. Thanks for the idea!
I sometimes soak oatmeal overnight. It is ready the next am.
Obviously, I eat more oatmeal in the cold weather, but it satisfies for breakfast year round. I usually add frozen blueberries, yogurt, brown sugar, and walnuts to plain oatmeal.
Thanks so much for the info on Starbucks and McDonalds oatmeal. I won’t buy those again!
I’m a subscriber and I am guilty of using Quaker. Now that you have made me aware of Proposition 37, I would love to receive this giveaway.