? 4 Working moms who prepare wholesome meals-Need Ideas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

[Anonymous]

In addition to making the oats over the weekend, you also can assemble them the night before so that they soak in the liquid in the fridge overnight (use a little more liquid than usual). In the morning, heat them up over a low heat on the stove, and they'll be ready by the time they are warm - about 5 mins.

Another option (similar to the omelet/frittata suggestion) is an egg patty (with a protein, cheese or veg in it), which cook super quick (but are hands on). Those also can be made in advance and zapped in the microwave for a few seconds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

Steel cut has a lower GI, thus keeping insulin from spiking. Helps keep blood sugar in check and the tummy fuller longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:European breakfast is a great idea and I wonder why more health-conscious people (like OP ] don't do it?

Sometimes breakfast here is a cold chicken breast, no joke. I've never understood why the need for simple carbs persists at breakfast in the US.

OP here. Everyone has some GREAT ideas, keep them coming.

We definitly do not limit breakfast to simply breakfast foods, but I also don't want to serve the same at breakfast at lunch...I pack my kids lunches. I'm HUGE on a hearty protien packed breakfast, which is why you will not find a box of cereal in our pantry. Though we do the oats, the kids never leave home without some protien, but it has often been limited to eggs or even a Lara Bar when in a huge rush out the door.

Lunches are another issue to keep creative. I do use the "Laptop" lunch system and that is always a variety of a bunch of different things, but again, I start to run out of healthy ideas. A Lunchable just seems so easy, I see why people fall into that. I'd reclaim hours and hours each week if we just went to processed pre-packaged food.

[Anonymous]

The poster who mentioned European style breakfasts reminded me of when I lived with a Cypriot and an Iranian. The Iranian man would make oatmeal with meat (shredded turkey or chunks of lamb) and serve that for breakfast flavored with cinnamon, or sometimes a bean stew. Both of these can be made on a Sunday and then just reheated. The Cypriot was big on salads for breakfast - fresh sliced veggies with an egg or salty cheese or fish.

All of these are really good and pretty fast, and I still eat them.

The fish in the morning thing has inspired me to have sardines/herring/anchovies on toast, or just mixed in to oatmeal. My toddler really likes this, too, though I understand it won't be to everyone's taste.

[Anonymous]

My 16mos old loves sardines. I don't feed him them that often because it makes his breath stink too much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

Steel cut has a lower GI, thus keeping insulin from spiking. Helps keep blood sugar in check and the tummy fuller longer.

I think this is helpful if you are trying to lose weight, but my preschooler gets a snack shortly after arriving anyway, and I also eat a banana and raw nuts by about 10:00 am (I'm a grazer and I am trying to lose weight. Actually I just gained 3 pounds hoping it would hlep me get pregnant again and now I am pregnant so in a weight gain mode). I'm all for less processed foods, I just try to fit it in, in ways that are most reasonable for our life. Otherwise, we really don't eat many processed foods. I don't make my own pasta either, and don't always make my own granola, but there are some good alternatives on the market that are less evil than the more processed options. Quick oats are one of those foods I'm willing to bend a bit on. But I will consider the PP's tip about soaking overnight.

[Anonymous]

Quiche. Yum

[Anonymous]

I like tunafish, hummus and tomatoes for breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

Steel cut has a lower GI, thus keeping insulin from spiking. Helps keep blood sugar in check and the tummy fuller longer.

I think this is helpful if you are trying to lose weight, but my preschooler gets a snack shortly after arriving anyway, and I also eat a banana and raw nuts by about 10:00 am (I'm a grazer and I am trying to lose weight. Actually I just gained 3 pounds hoping it would hlep me get pregnant again and now I am pregnant so in a weight gain mode). I'm all for less processed foods, I just try to fit it in, in ways that are most reasonable for our life. Otherwise, we really don't eat many processed foods. I don't make my own pasta either, and don't always make my own granola, but there are some good alternatives on the market that are less evil than the more processed options. Quick oats are one of those foods I'm willing to bend a bit on. But I will consider the PP's tip about soaking overnight.

You are absolutely correct and any sort of oatmeal (though NOT sugared instant) is part of a healthy life and a great breakfast.

However, I do firmly believe that we are shaping their tastes for the future. Though we do not have to worry about blood sugar and excess simple carbs when they are little, it sure will make their lives a heck of a lot easier if they have a wide range of tastes and are accustomed to eating whole foods from the start.

As someone who struggles with weight, it has been an enormous feat to change my old habits and shift to variety of slow, whole food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

Steel cut has a lower GI, thus keeping insulin from spiking. Helps keep blood sugar in check and the tummy fuller longer.

I think this is helpful if you are trying to lose weight, but my preschooler gets a snack shortly after arriving anyway, and I also eat a banana and raw nuts by about 10:00 am (I'm a grazer and I am trying to lose weight. Actually I just gained 3 pounds hoping it would hlep me get pregnant again and now I am pregnant so in a weight gain mode). I'm all for less processed foods, I just try to fit it in, in ways that are most reasonable for our life. Otherwise, we really don't eat many processed foods. I don't make my own pasta either, and don't always make my own granola, but there are some good alternatives on the market that are less evil than the more processed options. Quick oats are one of those foods I'm willing to bend a bit on. But I will consider the PP's tip about soaking overnight.

You are absolutely correct and any sort of oatmeal (though NOT sugared instant) is part of a healthy life and a great breakfast.

However, I do firmly believe that we are shaping their tastes for the future. Though we do not have to worry about blood sugar and excess simple carbs when they are little, it sure will make their lives a heck of a lot easier if they have a wide range of tastes and are accustomed to eating whole foods from the start.

As someone who struggles with weight, it has been an enormous feat to change my old habits and shift to variety of slow, whole food.

Agree, my only point is that I personally pick my battles in a sense. I sometimes make my own hummus and granola, always make my own tomato sauce, my parents retired and live on a farm so we get the bulk of our produce and herbs from my dad's greenhouse and gardens in season, as well as all of our eggs, and I love being able to show my kids that first hand. But I don't make my own pasta, for example, and I take some shortcuts. If you aren't willing to take any shortcuts, steel cut oats are great, but I'm okay with taking that one, and some others. I'm a big believer in moderation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steel cut oats do provide more fiber since they are less processed.

I realize that, but aren't non steel cut oats still a very high fiber food? (And I am not talking about "instant" oatmeal. Again traditional oatmeal--sorry I am not sure what term applies--is still very quick to make.)

I'm the PP quoted above and I realized I am wrong after doing a little more research. They both provide the same nutrition, but steel cut are just less processed than other rolled oats. I guess the main difference would be cooking time, texture, and taste.

1/4 cup of Quaker steel cut oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 2.5g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

1/2 cup of Quaker old fashioned oats and quick oats:
Calories – 150
Fat – 3g
Carbs – 27g
Fiber – 4g
Sugar – 1g
Protein – 5g

Steel cut has a lower GI, thus keeping insulin from spiking. Helps keep blood sugar in check and the tummy fuller longer.

I think this is helpful if you are trying to lose weight, but my preschooler gets a snack shortly after arriving anyway, and I also eat a banana and raw nuts by about 10:00 am (I'm a grazer and I am trying to lose weight. Actually I just gained 3 pounds hoping it would hlep me get pregnant again and now I am pregnant so in a weight gain mode). I'm all for less processed foods, I just try to fit it in, in ways that are most reasonable for our life. Otherwise, we really don't eat many processed foods. I don't make my own pasta either, and don't always make my own granola, but there are some good alternatives on the market that are less evil than the more processed options. Quick oats are one of those foods I'm willing to bend a bit on. But I will consider the PP's tip about soaking overnight.

You are absolutely correct and any sort of oatmeal (though NOT sugared instant) is part of a healthy life and a great breakfast.

However, I do firmly believe that we are shaping their tastes for the future. Though we do not have to worry about blood sugar and excess simple carbs when they are little, it sure will make their lives a heck of a lot easier if they have a wide range of tastes and are accustomed to eating whole foods from the start.

As someone who struggles with weight, it has been an enormous feat to change my old habits and shift to variety of slow, whole food.

Actually both steel cut oats and old fashioned oats have a GI less than 60 and are both considered to be low glycemic foods.
http://steelcutoats.org/steel-cut-oats/steel-cut-oats-and-the-glycemic-index

[Anonymous]

my 2 year old is currently obsessed with greek yogurt with agave nectar mixed in. i let him add his own blueberries too, which he loves.

[Anonymous]

My kids eat eggs, oatmeal, Kashi Go Lean, homemade waffles and pancakes (premade and then frozen for speed in the am).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids eat eggs, oatmeal, Kashi Go Lean, homemade waffles and pancakes (premade and then frozen for speed in the am).

Do you have a waffle machine? Does is only do waffles or is it multi-purpose?