The deal with oatmeal

ROSE_arc

I have eaten oatmeal for breakfast off and on for several years. I like the fact that it keeps me full. Recently, i overheard my nutrition obsessed boss talking about how bad it is because of all the carbs and sugar. I dont believe that there are many "bad" foods out there - everything in moderation. I recently joined MFP and logged my oatmeal breakfast and it packs approximatly 300 calories (not bad for breakfast), but has a whopping 57 carbs associated with it. I usually eat 1/2 cup oats, 1 tbs honey, and 1/2 banana. Thoughts on the value of oatmeal vs other breakfasts?

JayRod2519

I used to eat oatmeal for breakfast everyday, before joining MFP. I wouldn't measure it out, and would liquify it with milk. I would add about a 2 TBS of peanut butter, a cup of frozen berries, and a whole banana. A lot of carbs there.
Since joining MFP, I eat it once a week (on my weigh in day, nonetheless). I eat 1/2 cup, liquify with water, 1 TBS of peanut butter, and EITHER a cup of frozen berrie or a banana (not both).
Bottom line, I love oatmeal, and will not stop eating it. I know it's higher in carbs, but I tend to make up for that with lunch and dinner on the day I eat it. It is always my highest calorie breakfast, but only once a week.

dogladytwo

Love it, eat it all the time. My goal isn't anti carb though. (there are some people that are also anti banana for this reason) Moderation in all things is my motto and if a piece of fruit or a bowl of oatmeal is off limits, I fail to see the moderation in that.

djshari

It kind of depends... first your diet and how the carbs/sugar effect you. It may be a bad choice for some people (some diabetics for example) but ok for others. Second if you buy prepackaged oatmeal it may end up having a lot more sugar/carbs/additives than if you buy the regular oats and add in your own toppings.

dogladytwo

fittocycle

What type of oatmeal do you eat? If it's the old-fashioned cook on the stove type, you're probably fine. However, if it's instant in those little packets, then you might be eating more sugar than you would like.

ModoVincere

If you don't have a metabolic issue with carbs, such as diabetes, there's nothing wrong with them.
Even if you do have an issue, they can still be a part of a healthy diet, but you have to follow your prescribed diet and monitor.

Mich3ll36

when i have diverticulitis attacks, i live on oatmeal but i lose a ton of weight with it to. However, i dont really count carbs. Carbs dont seem to affect me much.

SideSteel

I have eaten oatmeal for breakfast off and on for several years. I like the fact that it keeps me full. Recently, i overheard my nutrition obsessed boss talking about how bad it is because of all the carbs and sugar. I dont believe that there are many "bad" foods out there - everything in moderation. I recently joined MFP and logged my oatmeal breakfast and it packs approximatly 300 calories (not bad for breakfast), but has a whopping 57 carbs associated with it. I usually eat 1/2 cup oats, 1 tbs honey, and 1/2 banana. Thoughts on the value of oatmeal vs other breakfasts?

My thought is that the nutritional value (both calorically and macro/micro) of your entire diet (as a whole) is important. Whether or not an individual meal has "value" is pretty irrelevant outside of the context of the diet.

footiechick82

Hi, as per a friend of mine who is a nutritionist- amazing for you! As long as it's made on the stove and not in those little packets. It also has to be plain diluted with water, not milk.

I use to add cinnimon for the sweetness and a bit of honey and sometimes apples or a banana. I don't eat it anymore because I have breakfast at work and refuse to eat the crappy stuff in the packets.

If you put cinnimon, it helps boost your matabolism.

marypatmccue

I have eaten oatmeal for breakfast off and on for several years. I like the fact that it keeps me full. Recently, i overheard my nutrition obsessed boss talking about how bad it is because of all the carbs and sugar. I dont believe that there are many "bad" foods out there - everything in moderation. I recently joined MFP and logged my oatmeal breakfast and it packs approximatly 300 calories (not bad for breakfast), but has a whopping 57 carbs associated with it. I usually eat 1/2 cup oats, 1 tbs honey, and 1/2 banana. Thoughts on the value of oatmeal vs other breakfasts?

The problem isn't the oatmeal... it's the honey and banana... unless you've got some reason to stay away from carbs, though.... I don't see any issues.

If you don't want the carbs, don't add extras to it. Simple as that.

ROSE_arc

No instant packets for me. I would have to eat about 4 of them to feel full anyways!

brevislux

Carbs are good. They give you energy. Your body needs carbs. Ignore fad dieters and enjoy your oatmeal!

sarahisme18

Agree with MaryPatMcCue and SideSteel!


What is your carb ratio goal? I sometimes have oatmeal for breakfast, or for a snack/treat, and I'm going for no more than 40% carb—so I just balance it out the rest of the day.

blood6338

I eat oatmeal every day. Love it! I use regular oats and pile in the fruit (1/2 apple, raisens, 1/4 cup pineapple, dried unsweetened coconut) and while it's got 87 or so carbs it's not like I'm eating a candy bar or something. It's got 13 grams of fiber and aside from a small amount (1 tsp) of brown sugar) I figure the carbs from fruits aren't doing me that much harm. I'm trying to get in more fruits and vegetables anyway so this helps. Oh and it's made with water not milk.

TyFit08

The problem I have with oatmeal, is the better it tastes, the less healthy it is. Real oatmeal made with water makes me want to gag. Adding milk, fruit, honey, sugar etc improves the taste, but now it is a carb feast. I have PCOS, so a lot of carbs aren't my friend. One positive is, that it is high and fiber. Still I just skip oatmeal and eat cream of wheat instead when I want hot cereal. Less carbs, doesn't need all the toppings to taste great (I just use unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon) and if I want a protein boost I add a scoop of protein powder.

1stday13

Bull Hockey!!! One of my Fav meals. I eat 1 pkg,Quaker maple Brown sugar(lower sugar type) mixed with water not milk And some type of fruit. no extra milk, sugar or any thing. & 1/2 bagel thin with 1-2 teaspoons PB on it. Carbs for my oatmeal? 24g My other cereal I like has 25 grams. You have to look & compare to other things you would be eating, 24g isn't high at all :noway:

TyFit08

I eat oatmeal every day. Love it! I use regular oats and pile in the fruit (1/2 apple, raisens, 1/4 cup pineapple, dried unsweetened coconut) and while it's got 87 or so carbs it's not like I'm eating a candy bar or something. It's got 13 grams of fiber and aside from a small amount (1 tsp) of brown sugar) I figure the carbs from fruits aren't doing me that much harm. I'm trying to get in more fruits and vegetables anyway so this helps. Oh and it's made with water not milk.

87 carbs is almost my whole day. I figure why use up all those carbs on oatmeal, when a better tasting breakfast like pancakes or french toast has less.

Akimajuktuq

Nope, I don't eat oatmeal or any other grains. Personally, my experience has proven to me that it is not healthy. However, if you enjoy it, then eat it and don't worry about what your boss, or anyone else has to say. Perhaps if you experiment with your own body and put in thousands of hours of research beyond the generally-accepted health advice, like I have, maybe you'll make your own discoveries.

I don't usually eat breakfast anyway, so I don't need to find "filling" breakfast foods. However, last week I was hungry in the morning once and had half of an avocado and I was full on that for 5 hours. Since omiting grains, I only need to eat when truly hungry (I used to binge uncontrollably). No more struggles or needing to "fill up" with low cal foods. Strange, but true.

ROSE_arc

Carb breakdown:

Plain dry oats 1/2 cup - 24

1/2 banana - 13

1tsb honey - 17

Mcmilligen

Meh, oatmeal is fine if you are conscious about the ingredients being piled in to it. It's very easy to go overboard. However, it's also a good package to sneak extra protein, fiber and healthy fats in to your breakfast easily. I'll add some egg whites or protein powder in there from some protein (thus slowing the sugar release in to my blood stream, and I stay full for longer), nuts/nut butter or coconut for fat, fruit/cacao powder/canned pumpkin/coffee/cinnamon/dark chocolate bits for an extra little flavor (try not to overload). Some days the carb count for breakfast is over 60, and the calorie count can top 500. I limit my carbs for the remainder of the day, and eat considerably smaller meals late in the day. It's all about how you balance it, and how you prepare it.

I would suggest having more options than just oatmeal every morning, however. It's always nice to have variety. For a lower carb breakfast, it's pretty easy to throw something together with eggs and veggies.

marycmeadows

the problem with oatmeal (to me) is that there's all those carbs, and no protein to balance it and keep you satisfied longer..... whenever I have oatmeal, I add protein powder to it. works like a charm

Tw1zzler

I used to eat oatmeal daily until I got sick of it... If you feel good eating it and it fits into your diet plan there is no reason to cut it out. Maybe cut back on the honey gradually. I used to love old fashioned oats with raisins, diced apples and cinnamon, no sugar needed. But in addition to that I'd eat an egg & egg whites. If I don't get a decent amount of protein and healthy fat I'll be hungry later.

Yaya1976

I ate oatmeal 5 days a week, but I only eat the instant.
It only has 130 calories.

cwolfman13

I eat oatmeal every morning. I eat steel cut oats or coach's oats (when I don't have time)...according to the packaging, there are 0 grams of sugar and high in fiber. For me, fiber is important in trying to get my cholesterol down through diet. If you're having natural oats, then there really shouldn't be any sugar. To boot, carbs aren't the devil and eating carbs has personally had zero impact on my weight loss, thoiugh I do manage my macros to be 40/30/30.

melsinct

Nope, I don't eat oatmeal or any other grains. Personally, my experience has proven to me that it is not healthy. However, if you enjoy it, then eat it and don't worry about what your boss, or anyone else has to say. Perhaps if you experiment with your own body and put in thousands of hours of research beyond the generally-accepted health advice, like I have, maybe you'll make your own discoveries.

So this is your passive aggressive way of stating that you don't believe oatmeal is healthy? Nice that you sneaked a pat on your back in there too!

marycmeadows

I ate oatmeal 5 days a week, but I only eat the instant.
It only has 130 calories.

instant - ew! eat the old fashioned or steel cut. less processed!

carliekitty

I eat oatmeal almost everyday. I love it. I actually put brown sugar in it and alot of times a banana and walnuts. I do eat oatmeal from starbucks and mcdonalds as well. I have been loosing weight at a normal rate and find carbs in the morning helpful for my workouts. Why stop eating something you love just cause someone has an opinion on it?

Akimajuktuq

Love it, eat it all the time. My goal isn't anti carb though. (there are some people that are also anti banana for this reason) Moderation in all things is my motto and if a piece of fruit or a bowl of oatmeal is off limits, I fail to see the moderation in that.

This is a recurring MFP comment theme: moderation. Unfortunately, for some of us whose health has been compromised by years of low fat, high carb, calorie restricted dieting, moderation is impossible. So is "willpower". Riddle me this: if binging is a "mental" disorder and it's just lack of willpower and commitment, why does a low carb, healthy high fat diet STOP the binging?

Well, I have one possible answer: When the body is malnourished, it doesn't matter how much nutrient poor food we keep shoveling in, our body will tell us to keep eating. That's just one angle; how carbs affect our metabolism is another.

Yes, moderation does work for many people; not everyone.

OP: Nevermind just the oatmeal, but you are adding a whole whack more sugar to it. If it's working for you, keep doing it, but if you have trouble later on, considering decreasing the carbs and adding some fat and protein.

TyFit08

I eat oatmeal almost everyday. I love it. I actually put brown sugar in it and alot of times a banana and walnuts. I do eat oatmeal from starbucks and mcdonalds as well. I have been loosing weight at a normal rate and find carbs in the morning helpful for my workouts. Why stop eating something you love just cause someone has an opinion on it?

I say if you love it keep eating it, but some people eat oatmeal because they think its healthy or they want to lose weight,. Then they turn it into a carb bomb by adding so much to it to make it edible. I used to do this, and then I realized foods I really do like for breakfast like cream of wheat, pancakes and french toast have less carbs. So if carb counting is important to you, then eating oatmeal on a regular basis may not be the wisest choice.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I eat at least two bowls of oatmeal a day. I buy a big container of plain quick oats. I use 1/4 cup of oats, a scoop of protein powder, a bit of cinnamon and splenda and occasionally I'll add some almond milk. I've successfully lost weight too.