What's better old fashioned Oats or the packets of instant oatmeal?

bisky

You can lightly "toast" your old fashioned oats and make your own granola. Take a skillet, coat with coconut oil spray and add as much oats as you want to make. Stir frequently over medium heat 5-7 minutes. They can burn easily like nuts, so don't walk away from it (like I did once ) Let it cool on a cold cookie sheet then you can add fruit (fresh for serving at the time or dried fruit), nuts and seasonings (I like pumpkin pie spice). There are several recipes on the internet for granola to bake in oven with honey or maple syrup. Most commercial brands have preservatives, pricey and high in calories but tradeoff is the known nutritional value and not having to make it). I weigh all my added nuts and fruits. I like it with almond milk. Muesli is another option for rolled oats.

UG77

Steel cut oats are the way to go. Don't wait and cook them in the morning, nobody I know has 30 extra minutes in the morning that they wouldn't prefer to spend asleep. Boil them for about 5-7 minutes the night before and then put them in the fridge over night.

I prep mine three days in advance, put them in glass pyrex microwave bowls and toss them in the microwave for a minute when I get to work. I add in 1/2 tsp of brown sugar, 1/2 tbsp of (actual) maple syrup, 1/4 cup of raisins, and some cinnamon.

Steel cut oats are going to have a different flavor than what you're used to with oatmeal, instant or old fashioned. I actually prefer it.

lemurcat12

I like my oats warm, so none of the refrigerator ideas are appealing to me.

I make steel cuts in my rice cooker -- no fuss, and they get ready while I shower and do other things. Easy.

They taste great with just a banana or some berries.

TinyTexn59

The fastest way to cook steel cut oats is using an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. I put one cup of steel cut oats in with three cups of water. Set it on manual for three minutes, put the lid on and let it cook. Natural release takes 8 minutes and breakfast is ready. I do one pot a week and divide it up. On alternate days I eat other things.

kes840

Steel cut, 30 minutes on 50% in the microwave. I make a cup of the dry oats and w/ an apple or some golden raisins, and that makes 4 servings, which I eat over the week w/ 1/2 c Greek yogurt and 1T of syrup.

pondee629

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I like my oats warm, so none of the refrigerator ideas are appealing to me.

I make steel cuts in my rice cooker -- no fuss, and they get ready while I shower and do other things. Easy.

They taste great with just a banana or some berries.

I pop my refrigerator oats in the microwave for 60 seconds to warm them in the morning. During the summer, I like them cold.

jgnatca

It's discerning eaters like we have here on MFP who are killing Kelloggs.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-02-26/for-kellogg-cereal-sales-recovery-may-be-lost-hope

ktilton70130

thank you guys for your feedback, I will try instant first, I am simply trying to add more healthy choices to my diet. I am trying to make it a lifestyle rather than a quick fix to get the weight off. The more healthier food choices the better.

Bbeliever215

I find steel cut and rolled oats(they're thicker) more filling than the instant. Also you can control the sugar and sodium. As other's have mentioned you can make overnight oats with steel cut and rolled oats the night before if you're under time constraints in the morning. Go to pinterest and you will find so many great options also, I like this brand from Trader joe's called ancient grain and super seed oatmeal because it has great texture and only takes about 10 minutes on the stove. It turns out well as overnight oats too.

Timshel_

ktilton70130 wrote: »

What's better old fashioned Oats or the packets of instant oatmeal?

For calories and nutrients they are almost exactly the same. The difference is in the texture - old fashioned uses whole oats where instant is cut oats. That's it.

Personally I do old fashioned because it has a bit more 'crunch' to it unlike instant which is more porridge like in consistency. I do them almost every day, cooked in the microwave with a little brown sugar and a pad of butter.

Sooooo good.

Timshel_

Timshel_ wrote: »

ktilton70130 wrote: »

What's better old fashioned Oats or the packets of instant oatmeal?

For calories and nutrients they are almost exactly the same. The difference is in the texture - old fashioned uses whole oats where instant is cut oats. That's it.

Personally I do old fashioned because it has a bit more 'crunch' to it unlike instant which is more porridge like in consistency. I do them almost every day, cooked in the microwave with a little brown sugar and a pad of butter.

Sooooo good.

PS - Cook time in the microwave is only a few minutes but you have to watch it so as to not let it boil over.