by Caitlin H,
May 6, 2024
Eating a healthy, balanced breakfast is one of the best things you can do to improve your chances of reaching your weight loss goals.
Experts say people who eat breakfast start their day off right by giving them fuel to get through the morning without succumbing to temptations like office snacks or fast food at lunch.
And one of the best go-to morning meals — we’re talking easy and delicious — is oatmeal.
What is Oatmeal?
Ok, yes, you’ve probably heard of oatmeal — so we won’t go into too much detail answering this question. We will say that oatmeal is a typical breakfast dish comprised of oats, which can come in different varieties, such as steel-cut, crushed, rolled, or instant.
Oats are whole grains packed with powerful nutrients and high-quality protein. They are an excellent source of fiber, too.
What are the Health Benefits of Oats?
The various vitamins and minerals packed into oats also have many health benefits. Studies have linked oat consumption to health benefits that include:
10 Ways to Elevate Oatmeal
The health benefits make a compelling case for incorporating oatmeal into your morning meal rotation — but how do you keep what could be a pretty bland dish from getting boring?
Read on for 10 creative twists on oatmeal that will keep you invested and, dare we say, looking forward to your oatmeal days.
Take a hot bowl of steel-cut oats with a Honeycrisp apple baked in, add a healthy amount of raisins, cinnamon, and golden raisins, and you’ve got a serious cold-weather comfort food to add to the forever list.
Get the recipe at Treats with a Twist.
It’s hard to argue with the juicy deliciousness of a chocolate-covered strawberry. This topping combination brings those flavors to your steaming bowl of oatmeal with dark chocolate, strawberries, and a splash of cream — all with their own health benefits to add to the oats. Win-win.
Get the recipe at The Recipe Critic.
Oatmeal tends to taste better when it’s thick, rather than runny. Elevate that voluminous mass of warm oats by adding a caramelized banana, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut flakes, whole milk, and kaya.
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If you’re looking for a summery twist to add to your oatmeal, look no further than this tasty bowl combo. It uses maple syrup for a natural sweetener, frozen fruits for extra flavor, and sliced bananas, vanilla yogurt, and hazelnuts to top it all off.
Get the recipe at Lovely Little Kitchen.
If you’re crunched for time, then this easy oatmeal dish is exactly what you need. All you need are rolled oats, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond milk for a simple yet effective flavor combination that gives you all those oat benefits without taking up your morning.
Get the recipe at Fit Foodie Finds.
It doesn’t take long to prepare this oatmeal dish, and we promise — you’ll be glad you did. Peanut butter, like oatmeal, is packed with protein, and the blueberries give it an elevated, unique flavor combination that is pretty much guaranteed to keep you full and focused for hours.
Get the recipe at Easy Chick Peasy.
Who doesn’t love the spicy, nutmeg-y flavors of pumpkin pie? And doesn’t it get even better when you bring them out in a healthy morning dish like oatmeal? This oatmeal recipe leverages traditional pumpkin pie spices, pumpkin, and maple syrup for natural sweetening to bring that fall flavor to your mouth any time of year!
Get the recipe at Treats with a Twist.
Bacon lovers, we didn’t forget you. Blend the sweet, beloved flavors of almond butter and brown sugar with a hot bowl of oatmeal, then top it off with a slice or two of bacon for a delicious, unique oatmeal dish you won’t soon forget.
Get the recipe at The Recipe Girl
If you’re looking for a more savory twist on oatmeal, perfect for a weekend brunch, then this recipe is for you. Topped with eggs, garlicky greens, and avocado, these steel-cut oats offer a filling meal for enjoying before a fun, activity-packed weekend day.
Get the recipe at Love and Lemons.
Reminiscent of sunny beach days with a coconut drink in your hand, this tropical coconut oatmeal will surely make you feel like you’re on a faraway island in no time. All you need is some diced pineapple, unsweetened coconut milk, and toasted coconut for this quick and delicious sun-kissed morning meal.
Get the recipe at Food, Fun, & Faraway Places.
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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager
Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.