Healthy Ways to Add Flavor to Oatmeal

As you stare into a bowl of regular, unflavored oatmeal, tackling a full serving can seem daunting if you're not used to the consistency or taste. However, the fiber and nutrients contained in one serving is well worth the exploration of healthy ways to add flavor to oatmeal. I personally use the following ingredients to avoid the extra calories and fat contained in sweetened versions of oatmeal.

Fresh Fruit

Packed with natural sweetness, varied textures, and color, use fresh pieces of fruit to add flavor to oatmeal. I usually raid the refrigerator for blueberries, raspberries or strawberry slices. Canned slices of peach also add a refreshing flavor. Elevate the overall taste of oatmeal by using a combination of more than one fruit. Sample oatmeal with slices of banana - with or without the creaminess of low-fat milk. For children, make oatmeal interesting by mixing in a mashed, ripe banana.

Dried Fruit

I've bought oatmeal before with added pieces of dried cranberries, oranges, and other fruits, but you can achieve the same results with a fruit-filled trail mix. Cut a couple of dried apple rings and add to a bowl of plain oatmeal before cooking in the microwave. With dried fruit, there is no need to add sweetener.

Nuts

Providing healthy protein, fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty oils, walnuts and other nuts can heighten the taste of a bowl of oatmeal. I usually use the flat side of a fork to crush chopped nuts to further release the tastiness of flavorful oils. Walnuts are my most favorite nutty addition with pecans coming in a close second.

Dried Fruit and Nuts

For a healthy, hearty bowl of oatmeal, add your favorite combination of dried fruits and nuts. One of the easiest ways to create a flavorful morning treat is to use pre-packaged items. For example, I've been using Good Sense Salad Pizzazz - a gourmet salad topping consisting of glazed walnuts and raspberry flavored cranberries. They also make a topping with honey-glazed pecans and dried cherries.

Honey

When brown sugar and maple syrup are too heavy, create a healthy bowl of oatmeal by drizzling on the natural sweetness of honey.

Milk and Vanilla

Creating a sweet scent blended with a creamy texture, cook your oatmeal with low-fat milk and a touch of vanilla extract. I usually add the equivalent of 1 teaspoon to a bowl of plain oatmeal. If you crave a bit of sugar, choose a natural sweetener, like Stevia.