Oatmeal is gross. It’s boring. It’s bland. It’s what babies and the elderly eat, right?
WRONG! Oatmeal is a delicious, filling, and nutritious way to start your day. It’s stock full of complex carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Not to mention, it’s super cheap, fast, and easy to make. This being said, it’s easy to see why oatmeal is such a classic staple in so many people’s diets. However, eating the same thing every day can get old pretty quickly regardless of how great it tastes or how good it is for you. Spice up your routine, reap the health benefits, and love your breakfast with these easy to follow recipes and suggestions!
1. Add Fun Toppings
Oatmeal is great, because it doesn’t have much flavor on its own. Adding fruits such as bananas and berries adds color, vitamins, and flavor to your meal. Also, feel free to add different toppings such as nuts, seeds, peanut butter, or coconut flakes to add texture and flavor. Switch up your combinations to keep from getting bored, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
2. Use Flavorings
The use of flavorings such as vanilla extract, maple extract and cinnamon can make your meal delicious without adding extra work or calories.
3. Bake It
Oatmeal doesn’t have to be soupy and in a bowl. It bakes well and makes delicious breakfast bars, healthy cookies, and granola. Jump on Pinterest, grab a recipe book, or simply do a Google search, and you’re sure to find something you and the whole family will love! My personal favorite way to bake oatmeal is to mix it with mashed bananas and nuts, scoop it into cookies, and bake it in the oven. It makes a great breakfast or snack for those days when I’m running out the door to class.
4. Soak It
Speaking of running out the door, overnight oats are a great make-ahead breakfast. Simply mix oats, chia seeds, a milk of your choice (I prefer almond), and any toppings and flavorings you might want in a jar. Then, shake it all up, put it in the fridge, and grab it in the morning. The oats and chia seeds absorb the liquid and thicken overnight creating a refreshing ready-to-go breakfast. You can even pop it in the microwave if you prefer it hot!
5. Go Savory
Don’t knock it ‘till ya try it. Like anyone else, I love my sweet oats with fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and a little sugar or honey. However, once in a while I crave something a bit more savory. On these days, I love to sauté spinach and combine it with sunny side up eggs on top of a bowl of oats. The oats serve as toast soaking up the yolk, and I get a nourishing breakfast packed with fiber, good fats, healthy carbs, and vegetables.
6. Go Sweet
Finally, oatmeal is delicious and nutritious, but it doesn’t always have to be. After all, who doesn’t love an oatmeal cookie? However, if you’re not ready to totally abandon your diet, you can still incorporate a little sweetness into your meal. Personally, I love to add coco powder to my oats to kick my sweet tooth without going overboard. Chocolate chips, candies, and ice cream sauces and toppings are just a few fun ways to add a hint of sweetness to your oats while keeping them relatively healthy. Just remember, moderation is key. Go ahead and have that warm, freshly baked cookie. Just make sure you’re getting your fruits and vegetables along with it.
