Top 10 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Spruce up Oatmeal

The preparation of a perfect bowl of oatmeal is an art. There are so many delicious and healthy toppings to mix with oatmeal. The combinations are endless.

Nutritionists agree that oatmeal is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. So much so that it is labeled a “superfood”.  Packed with slowly-digested whole grains and soluble fiber that absorbs “bad” cholesterol and keeps your bowel movements regular.

But eating plain-old oatmeal by itself can get old quick. Mixing healthy toppings into oatmeal prevents your taste buds from hitting the doldrums. Here’s a top 10 list of wonderful and healthy ideas to keep that morning bowl of oatmeal fresh and exciting.

Fresh fruit

Almost every fruit matches well with oatmeal. Banana, apple, cranberry, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry (any kind of berry). Even kiwi and avocado are delicious in oatmeal. Fruits provide an almost endless supply of flavor variation which enlivens oatmeal. Obviously, fruits are also chock-full of vitamins and minerals which help keep your body and mind right, too.

Almond milk or soy milk

Instead of hydrating oatmeal with water, try mixing in almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk instead. These milks add another layer of texture to the taste of oatmeal. They also provide extra protein and minerals. In fact, soy milk is one of the only plant-based sources of complete protein available. Give it a try — your body will love it.

Greek Yogurt

Adding yogurt to oatmeal thickens it. It also gives a delicious contrast of cold yogurt against the warm oatmeal. Yogurt is a great way to add protein to oatmeal, too. And the healthy bacterial cultures in yogurt optimize your gut bacteria. This improves both mood and digestion. Any type of yogurt will do, but Greek style yogurt is thicker and creamier, and is my favorite.

Nuts

Sprinkle some chopped or whole nuts in to your oatmeal to add a little zing.  Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, brazil nuts, pecans, even cashews. Any kind of nut is a welcome addition to oatmeal. Nutritionally, nuts provide a healthy dose of monounsaturated fat to compliment the carbs in oatmeal. For best results, sprinkle the nuts on top after heating the oatmeal and don’t mix. This keeps the nuts crunchy and prevents them from absorbing moisture.

Honey or maple syrup

If you prefer a little natural sweetness with your oatmeal, mix in a teaspoon of pure maple syrup or honey. To keep it healthy, be sure to avoid any processed sugar or sweeteners. Honey and pure maple syrup both contain hormones beneficial to health. And their sugars are absorbed into the body more slowly than processed sugars.

Seeds

Flax seed is super-healthy and delicious in oatmeal. It is a great source of omega-3, which benefits your joints. Remember, flax seed should be ground before eating. Otherwise, the seeds will pass through your system undigested. In addition to the nutritional benefits, flax adds a unique, nutty flavor to oatmeal.

Any kind of seed is delicious in oatmeal, though, not just flax. Try pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds, and sunflower seeds, too.

Natural spices

Spice up your oatmeal with my favorite: cinnamon. A dash of cinnamon enhances the flavor of and entire bowl of oatmeal. Also try unsweetened cocoa. Ground black pepper adds a peppery pop, too. Vanilla extract and nutmeg also work well in oatmeal. Look through your spice cabinet and experiment with anything.

Whole grains

Mixing additional whole grains into oatmeal is also a great idea. Wheat germ, wheat bran, rye, quinoa, oat bran, etc. Each whole grain brings additional flavors, textures, and nutrients to the table. You will find that a mixture of oatmeal and various whole grains keeps you full for hours. Oatmeal mixed with other whole grains is a slow-digesting, nutrient-packed combination. Perfect for cold mornings when your body needs extra energy.

Protein powder

Especially good after a cardio workout or weightlifting session. Protein powder mixes in smoothly with oatmeal and balances well with all the carbs in whole grains and oatmeal. Whey protein powder is easiest to find, but I much prefer the taste of soy protein powder. Along with whole grains, protein powder will satiate your appetite for a long time.

Cheese / peanut butter

Who doesn’t love cheese– am I right? Cheese is another way to get more protein.  Try melting a little of your favorite cheese in to your oatmeal and see how you like the texture. Any kind of cheese will do.

Peanut butter is also a great addition to oatmeal. I like to mix in a spoonful prior to heating. That way the peanut butter melts and is more easily mixed.

What do you think?

Which ingredients have I left off this list? What are your favorite additions to oatmeal. Please let me know in the comments. Thanks.

“Oatmeal” by photogmateo is licensed under CC BY