When it comes to a healthy, hearty breakfast, oatmeal is the clearly the healthy choice. But within the realm of oatmeal types, there are many options that aren’t the best. Are you making the right one?
If you reach for the microwavable, quick-cooking oats, you’re not making the best choice in terms of health. They’re convenient and often sweetly delicious, but those instant oats can house just as much sugar as your favorite baked goods.
Instant oatmeal uses as old fashioned rolled oats, only they are rolled a little bit thinner and cut finer so that they cook very quickly. When you reach for single-serving packets, it is more often than not sold in all kinds of fun flavors. Those flavors are usually what lead us astray because a LOT of sugar is added to them. One packet generally contains 12 grams of sugar.
Another thing to look out for with instant oats is the fiber content: look for 3 grams of fiber per serving. Also be careful of preservatives, stay away from any oats with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Whatever oatmeal you choose, however, you can still pat yourself on the back for a job well done. As Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, told us, “The only oatmeal that can do you any good is the oatmeal you eat, and even instant oatmeal is better than most breakfast choices most Americans make.”
