3 Heathy Ways to Enjoy Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best foods you can eat for breakfast each day, as it powers up your body and gives you the energy you need to keep going until lunchtime. A typical single serving contains 4g of your daily fiber intake, 5g of protein and other essential nutrients. It is the toppings you add that load oatmeal down with fat and excess calories. But there are plenty of healthy ways to enjoy oatmeal without compromising on taste or nutritional value.

Use Raw Honey or Agave Nectar

Plain oatmeal tastes bland and boring, which is why many people season their breakfast with liberal amounts of sugar. Although sugar will instantly lift your oatmeal, it will add a lot of excess calories to your meal. Add a small drizzle of raw honey or agave sugar instead, which will give the same results, but with a lot fewer calories. A little goes a long way, so do not go overboard, especially if you are using agave nectar.

Add Dried or Fresh Fruit

Folding in a handful of fresh blueberries or raspberries to your oatmeal will add a hint of natural sweetness and plenty of texture, as well as pack your breakfast full of fiber and heart-healthy antioxidants. But when you do not have fresh soft fruits in season at your disposal to use, add a variety of dried fruit instead.

Dried prunes, apricots, cranberries or mango taste great added to oatmeal and are an easy way to get your 5-a-day. Chop up the fruit to make it go even further and mix it into your oatmeal. There is no need to add extra sugar for sweetness, as the natural sugars in the fruit (or the added sugars in the dried fruit) will be sufficient.

Use Natural Peanut Butter

Who needs a PB&J to look forward to when they can enjoy peanut butter on their morning oatmeal? For a healthy breakfast, opt for natural peanut butter. Choose a brand that has no hydrogenated (trans fats) oils or preservatives and add a teaspoon to your oatmeal while it is still piping hot. Stir it in and enjoy a rich, yet healthy, start to your day.

Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast food item that can help lower cholesterol, add fibre and protein to your diet and keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you choose oatmeal, make sure you add healthy toppings. Sweeten your oatmeal with raw honey or agave nectar, add fruit, stir in natural peanut butter or add a combination of all three to keep boredom at bay and to ensure breakfast time is exciting and invigorating.

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