If you still think of oatmeal as a boring baby food, you can stop reading. (Just kidding. Keep reading, and you’ll change your mind – I promise!)
I love oatmeal because it’s filling, easy, quick and cheap. Whether you eat it for breakfast, a fast lunch at work or a nighttime snack, oatmeal has the protein and fiber you need to stay full. Add in your favorite topping and mix-ins, and you have a meal that’s tasty and good for you.
5 Ways to Eat Oatmeal All Day Long
With applesauce and cinnamon
One of my favorite ways to eat oatmeal, adding applesauce and cinnamon provides natural sweetness, a partial serving of fruit, and – if you keep your applesauce in the fridge – a quick way to cool it down. I like adding unsweetened applesauce to cut down on the sugar, but feel free to add whatever you like.
With chocolate chips and vanilla
You don’t need to add a lot of chocolate to your bowl to get a melty, fudgy treat. I love Trader Joe’s semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Like, a lot. Just add a tablespoon or two to your oatmeal when it’s finished, swirl in some vanilla, and you have a tasty dish that’s still good for you.
With peanut butter
Real talk: I may have a slight PB obsession. Maybe more than slight. Anyway, adding peanut butter to oatmeal produces a creamy, filling bowl that’s akin to a peanut butter cookie. Just add a tablespoon or two to the oats midway through cooking, stir it up when finished, and enjoy. (You can also add chocolate chips to combine the two into an even more delicious treat.)
With fresh or dried fruit
Another one you can combine with peanut butter, this option provides a tasty, sweet pop of flavor that’s still good for you and provides at least a partial serving of fruit. I love apricots, so one way I’ve done this is to mush up a half or whole canned apricot into the oatmeal for a fruity bowl that tastes a bit like a crumble or crisp.
With savory add-ins like eggs and cheese
I’m pretty new to savory oatmeal, but I love the idea – it’s not too different from grits or pasta, right? Cook your oats, stir in a handful of shredded cheddar, add a dash of salt and pepper, and top with a fried egg (and some greens, if you’re really feeling healthy). You’ll have a hearty, filling breakfast that’s a different take on the same old bowl of cereal.
Are you, too, an oatmeal addict? What are some of your favorite toppings? Share below!
bloom. 