Is Instant Oatmeal a Healthy Breakfast?

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Kashi Heart to Heart Golden Brown Maple Instant Oatmeal

Who has time to prepare steel-cut oatmeal on the stove? Instant oatmeal is so much easier, and we've got expert advice on why it's okay to opt for convenience.

By Bethany Gumper

Q. Is instant oatmeal a healthy breakfast?

A. Yes. Instant oatmeal is a breakfast shortcut that doesn't shortchange your health. While steel-cut oatmeal will give you one more gram of fiber per serving, the instant packets contain the same disease-fighting whole grains -- just in smaller pieces for quick cooking time, says Connie Diekman, RD, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis. But beware the sugar trap: Some instant varieties have 13 grams of the sweet stuff (more than three teaspoons). It's better to buy plain instant oatmeal and add a dollop of honey for flavor.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, January 2010.

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lj866 wrote:

Steelcut oatmeal made in the crockpot with dried fruit with nuts is great, leftovers heat up well for a few days!!Put it on before you go to bed and breakfast is hot and ready when you wake up...awesome!!

8/16/2010 10:45:07 AM Report Abuse

machapman2 wrote:

Hyvee has a lower sugar instant oatmeal that is very good

2/22/2010 12:22:40 PM Report Abuse

cmylin wrote:

Microwaving food doesn't kill nutrients. The premise of microwaving is that the micro-waves excite the water molecules in the food which makes them get hot.

2/19/2010 02:41:02 PM Report Abuse

corderoinkuna1 wrote:

FYI Quaker makes lower sugar instant oatmeal that is yummy!

2/18/2010 06:38:17 PM Report Abuse

khdillon wrote:

you can make the real stuff when you have time...make a large batch and freeze individual portions. just pop in your microwave to reheat. tastes SO much better than the instant "paste" variety. also love the idea of PB and banana...dont know why i didnt think of that-it's my favorite combo.

2/18/2010 02:06:04 PM Report Abuse