Oatmeal for breakfast - good choice?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to lose weight and am looking hard at my diet. I normally have a bowl of plain oatmeal for breakfast with a half cup of frozen blueberries and milk stirred in. Is this a good choice? Thanks for any help.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with it from a health perspective, unless you're eating a ton of oatmeal (you told us a half-cup of blueberries, but not how much oats).

I had a bowl this morning myself, and I'm also (successfully, so far) losing weight. A third-cup of oats (cooked in the microwave), half a cup of thawed frozen berries, and a tablespoon of almond butter stirred in.

[Anonymous]

From a calorie perspective, sure. But does it keep you full for awhile? Or are you hungry within 2-3 hours?

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, this is an excellent choice. Lots of fiber in oatmeal which will help keep you feeling full longer. It increase protein content, which will also help with satiety, sprinkle chopped nuts on top, or add a tablespoon of nut butter or some cottage cheese.

[Anonymous]

How about some real protein? Eggs, cheese, veggies---skip the carbs, they disappear in 2-3 hours. Not good to smack your system with such a high insulin demand first thing.

[Anonymous]

I think it is an excellent choice for health and weight loss (even better if you use steel cut oats and sweeten yourself, rather than the sugary packaged stuff). I agree that protein will give you more 'staying power.' I read about adding a bit of peanut butter and thought it sounded gross. I finally tried in years later and liked it more than I thought. You have to be careful with the amount though, since it is calorie dense.

[Anonymous]

Non-processed oatmeal has the same amount of protein as an egg. It will also keep you feeling full for a long time.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks, PPs!

[Anonymous]

I would say it's a good choice but it could be better. Agree, you need to boost the protein. Add a spoonful of nut butter plus an egg. Protein keeps you fuller longer and also requires more energy to digest, so it helps with weight loss. Also, you should be doing some kind of strength training as part of your exercise. Protein will help you build muscle along with strength training, and having more muscle will increase your metabolism too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks, PPs!

standard "Quaker" type oatmeal is almost void of fiber and leaves me hungry soon after eating it. If you're going to eat oatmeal, try steel cut and throw in protein powder to boost the protein grams. FWIW, making steel cut oats is time-consuming so start cooking at least an 30 mins before you're ready to eat it.

[Anonymous]

Look into a few easy ways to make it (using steel cut or non instant). You can use a slow cooker or google "overnight oats". That way, you already have it ready and can eat first thing in the morning without much work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks, PPs!

standard "Quaker" type oatmeal is almost void of fiber and leaves me hungry soon after eating it. If you're going to eat oatmeal, try steel cut and throw in protein powder to boost the protein grams. FWIW, making steel cut oats is time-consuming so start cooking at least an 30 mins before you're ready to eat it.

Both steel cut and old fashioned oats are similar, nutrition-wise. One has a better texture, one has a better flavor. But instant oatmeal is different, that's true.

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/are-steel-cut-oats-healthier

Oatmeal alone for breakfast is too low in protein, though, for me as well as the other pps.

[Anonymous]

Oddly, I do not find eggs filling like other people. I've also tried oatmeal. I seem to do best with Cheerios and milk.

[Anonymous]

If you're concerned about staying power, you can add protein powder or some walnuts to your oatmeal. Like the PP, I find a bowl of oatmea keeps me to lunchtime/post workout meal better than having eggs.

[Anonymous]

If you're adding milk, there's your protein right there.

I found non-instant oatmeal (1 serving, as defined on the package) with fruit (also 1 serving--i.e. a measured amount of blueberries, or 1 sliced apple, or 1 sliced banana) and a glass of milk to be a great breakfast for weight loss.

Sadly I for some reason no longer really like oatmeal. Maybe I overdid it? But that's what I had every morning for around 8 weeks during a time when I dropped 10 pounds.