3 Healthy Ways to Spice Up Oatmeal

Moms have been serving their children oatmeal for decades. But did you know that oatmeal is extremely healthy for you? According to the American Cancer Society the insoluble fibers in oatmeal have certain cancer fighting properties. Oatmeal's soluble fibers help reduce the bad kind of cholesterol (LDL) without messing with the good kind (HDL.)

Unfortunately, we are not talking about the instant kind of oatmeal we all pop in the microwave. That is not as healthy because it is already loaded with sugars and other additives. It even has milk in it already, so if you have milk allergies or intolerances it could cause upset. The plain old round container of oats that you have to cook is nothing but 100% oats, and guesses what; you can make it in the microwave!

Most people find oatmeal to be pretty bland, so they load it up with sugar, butter and milk. Well, there go the health benefits! There is a way you can feed your family the plain old good for you oatmeal, and still keep it healthy. Just spice the oatmeal up with one of these three suggestions and you'll have them begging for more!

Health Benefits of Adding Cinnamon to Oatmeal

Just a few sprinkles of cinnamon in the bowl of oatmeal will give it a delicious smell and make you want to dive into that bowl. It will also jam pack the oatmeal with more healthy ingredients. Cinnamon is rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium. Cinnamon also helps reduce the risk of heart disease.

Cinnamon also has warming properties so it is an extra bonus to help keep you warm on a cold winter's day. Besides, spicing up the flavor of oatmeal, the aroma of cinnamon has its own healthy affect. It supposedly improves the memory function of the brain, and is being evaluated for use in aiding cognitive problems.

Healthy Benefits of Adding Bananas to Oatmeal

Chop a banana into your cooked oatmeal. Not only will it enhance the flavor it will give you a good source of potassium. One banana has as much as 600 mg of potassium in it. Bananas also help relieve stress, depression and heartburn.

Kids and adults both love bananas so peel slice and chop them into the bowl of oatmeal. They'll think you are giving them a treat, but you'll know you are helping them to eat healthier.

Health Benefits of Adding Honey to Oatmeal

Honey was known in ancient times as the wonder medicine, and people back then coveted it very much. Perhaps their knowledge needs to resurface and make the little jug of honey more popular again. Replacing the sugar with honey to sweeten the oatmeal is a great health benefit. Honey is a great antioxidant and anti bacterial agent. Honey also boosts the immunity, so there will be hopefully less colds to deal with. But then again, honey is a great way to relieve a cough too!

Mix and Match for Even Greater Health Benefits

Try mixing and matching these three ingredients next time you cook up a pot of oatmeal. Let your family sprinkle in some cinnamon, chop up some bananas, or squirt in some honey from the little bear's tummy! Hide the sugar, butter and milk and you'll be on the road to serving them a healthy and warm breakfast.

Another perk is the fact that the Quaker Oats that must be cooked or much cheaper than those little packets of instant oatmeal. Besides, you can cook up a big old pot of "cooks in one minute" real oatmeal faster than everyone can line up at the microwave with their individual bowls.

　

Here's a more in-depth article I wrote on the benefits of Bananas:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/885601/go_ahead_and_go_bananas_its_good_for.html?cat=51

More sources:
www.healthbenefitsofcinnamon.com

www.honey-health.com