Won Over by Oatmeal!

When I was a kid, I stayed as far as possible from homemade oatmeal. It looked plain and gross. Gimme the sugar-laded Quaker Oats packets or nothing!

Did you know those packets contain less than half a cup of quick oats and 13 grams of sugar?

*hold on, I have to sit down*

13 grams. 13 grams of sugar in less than half a cup of oats.

13 grams of sugar equals about 2.6 teaspoons. So picture plunking your spoon in the sugar bowl, filling it two and half times and start your morning that way. Oh, and then add in whatever else you're eating and the sugar counts in those foods.

I am not the sugar police. But why do we wonder why kids have problems focusing in school? Or have behavioral issues? Or why YOU get to work and want to put your head down on your desk or stumble around looking for the coffee pot? 

Listen, I'm right there with you. I was raised on Golden Grams in whole milk, a Pop-Tart and orange juice. So I was starting my morning with probably close to a cup or more of sugar in my belly before I even left the house! 

Since becoming a health coach, I've cut back on how much processed sugar I eat and I feel much more emotionally stable and focused on a daily basis. One way I do this is eliminating packaged oatmeal and other cereals and making my own wonderful morning concoctions.

Here's my formula, see if it helps you!

START WITH:

quick or whole rolled oats

1/2 cup + 1 cup water = 1 serving for one person

bring water to a boil in a pot, add the oats. Stir them and simmer for a few minutes depending on the consistency you like.

ADD IN:

nuts, seeds, fruit, fat and other fun things!

1 pinch, a teaspoon or tablespoon of each works well.

Nuts and seeds add much-needed nutrients as well as flavor. Try different combinations and see which ones you like best. I usually have oatmeal 2-3 times per week and mix things up each time.