Healthy Oatmeal Stir-Ins

Oatmeal is a favorite fast breakfast around my house - it's quick and easy for me to prepare, comes with a sizeable amount of fiber, and my boys all love it. When the standard "maple and brown sugar" instant oatmeal fails to intrigue anyone anymore, I have to get creative by mixing and adding, like a chemist in a shop. Whether you use plain instant, steel cut oats, or old fashioned oats, try one of these stir-ins for a flavor kick with side dose of nutrition.

Basic Stir-Ins

Sliced bananas add a creamy kick to your oatmeal. When your oatmeal is cooked, stir in a freshly sliced banana along with a dash of cinnamon. Bananas are a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Strawberries are a fresh and tasty add-in for your oatmeal, whether you prefer fresh or frozen. Toss your strawberries with a drizzle of honey then stir into your prepared oatmeal, followed by a splash of skim milk for the delightful taste of strawberries and cream. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and iron.

Pureed pumpkin is a fun, seasonal stir-in, and with a bit of cinnamon, vanilla, and the lightest sprinkling of brown sugar, honey, or molasses, can be a delightful way to serve your oatmeal. Pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse, with a strong punch of vitamins A and C, as well as high in fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, and potassium.

Mixed berries can also be a deliciously surprising add-in. Simply defrost frozen mixed berries, toss with a tsp. of honey, and mix into oatmeal. Serve with skim milk or the lightest bit of cream for the traditional berries-and-cream taste.

Try dried fruits, like raisins, craisins (with cinnamon), or dried apricots for a quick and chewy bit of added fiber and fun.

Nut Stir-Ins

Nuts often get a bad rap for the amount of fat they contain. It's true that they do contain a large amount of fat, but they also contain a lot of fiber, protein, vitamin C, manganese, and even iron. In moderation, nuts can and should be a part of a healthy diet.

Sprinkle walnuts into your banana oatmeal. Almonds sprinkled over your craisin oatmeal are a fun and flavorful twist for the holiday season. Almonds can also be fun with strawberries. Pecans go well with bananas as well, or with just a sprinkling of brown sugar and raisins.