Oatmeal...

Hi my name is Lisa! I am a very picky eater. One thing I have a hard time eating is oatmeal! When I had a personal trainer he told me to try replacing one meal with oatmeal a day then up it to 2x a day. It helps you lean up faster. I however absolutely hate oatmeal! Is there anyway to make oatmeal a more tasteful and desirable meal? I am not a fan of the texture or taste any suggestions would be helpful!

Stevia.. Or add some protein powder.

Try a different type of oatmeal..it might help. I can't stand the texture of those Quaker packets (mush!) but like Mccann's - Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal. Try added less or more water to see what you prefer. My trick is to cook it up then add in frozen fruitm mix it up and I let it all stand on the hot burner. By the time I get dressed and ready for the day it's the perfect temp to eat and the fruit is all thawed. For me any kind of berry rocks it. I've also added fresh peaches or apples which was pretty yummy too.
My dad is all about adding a bit of milk to his with some nutmeg.

I say, if you don't like oatmeal, don't eat it!!

However, if you would like to try eating it again, I like the quick oats. I find the instant has a weird soupy texture that I can't stand which is probably why I hated it for the first 32 years of my life. I cook mine 1part oatmeal: 1 part water. Then I add 1 TBLS almond butter or peanut butter and a mashed banana or I will add a quarter cup pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice (or just nutmeg and cinnamon if that's all that I have). I will also add frozen mixed berries. If I want it a bit sweet I add a bit of agave nectar or maple syrup. If I really want a bit of a treat, I'll add 1 TBLS chocolate chips. Enjoy!

I love oatmeal made with milk and I add 2 packets of splenda and 1/2c fresh strawberries. So yummy and comforting.

a little brown sugar/cinnamon
diced up dried apple with cinnamon (put the apple in their while it's cooking)
maple syrup the real stuff, you don't need a whole lot for flavoring and it's not processed.
Honey

I also hate oatmeal. But, I looooove it in homemade protein bars (I use peanut butter and almond as the wet and add whatever dry stuff I have on hand, usually rolled oats, flax and protein powder or textured vegetable protein). I also like to make protein pancakes and muffins. I either grind rolled oats into flour or leave them whole. My mos recent muffins were: 1/2c rolled oats, 1/4c TVP, 110g banana (1 med banana) 1/2c almond milk, 2 tbl peanut butter, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1 tbl vanilla. Bake 15 min @ 380. I ate the whole batch (while they were hot I put Milky Way chunks in it and they melted and omg it was good... But normally ill eat them plain, and since I do eat a whole batch at a time, it's a higher cal meal. For pancakes I usually just grind up oats, add protein powder, add 3/4c egg whites and some baking powder and cook like normal pancakes, they cook fast ~ 1 min per side... And the flavor is usually a bit bland, so I top them with peanut butter.

you can puree it before you cook it or blend it wit Soy milk and have it raw. that way the texture is smooth and u can use spices like vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon to spuce it up.

can you just use a blander? i dont mind the taste of oatmeal at all my the texture gets to me so if i blended it, it might help! except i dont drink soy milk IDK if almond milk would work but i dont see why not

There's a few things you can do that are good
- Add some flavor. This morning I had oatmeal with cocoa powder and instant coffee...mmm!
- Baked oatmeal is good too, it kind of tastes like an oatmeal cookie. Look up some recipes, when I have the time I like to make this.
- I don't personally like this, but I had a roommate that ate oatmeal raw with almonds and choc. chips. If it's a texture thing for you, you might like this.

Hope this helps! I loooove oatmeal!

Have you tried overnight oats - this is my favourite go to breakfast - no cooking just prep the night before. My current receipe is:

30g rolled oats
add a little water for the oats to absorb and soften
70g of chobani greek yoghurt
60g of red apple
60g of mixed frozen berries

Comes in at about 220 calories

Stir it together in a container, cover and leave in the fridge overnight and its ready to go in the morning - very refreshing and tasty breakfast.

I have only just switched to Chobani greek yoghurt today and found the texture to be a lot thicker than when I used fat free vanilla yoghurt so if you're looking for a smoother consistency I would reduce the yoghurt slightly and add more water.

i hate oatmeal too. it's more the texture and the look. what i do is add a lot of fruit, some peanut butter, milk and a little brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and i eat without looking at it. i use the irish steel cut oats



and wait this guy is basically telling you to eat like you're in a gulag by eating oatmeal only for 2 meals a day to help you lose weight and you're OK with that?? :laugh: what happens after you get out of prison and can eat more than a bowl of oatmeal twice a day? that's really bad advice.

and wait this guy is basically telling you to eat like you're in a gulag by eating oatmeal only for 2 meals a day to help you lose weight and you're OK with that?? :laugh: what happens after you get out of prison and can eat more than a bowl of oatmeal twice a day? that's really bad advice.

THIS. it's the first thing I thought of when I read the opening post. How is this sustainable as a life style choice? And how does oatmeal help you build muscle?

Bumping for the recipe ideas...

Also, I went 15+ years without eating oatmeal (tried it when I was little and hated the texture). Recently I wanted to give it another go, and I think I'm in love. I use the quick-cooking 5 minute oats, and use water most of the time. Made it with Silk this morning and it boiled over while I was making the coffee, haha! Usually I put in 1/2 to 1 cup of strawberries or apples. This week I've been using 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup Kashi Go Lean High Fiber (tons of protein!), and 2 tablespoons of Skinnytaste's pumpkin butter.

It. Is. Exquisite.
Keeps me full for forever, and that's a tall order. I'm eager to try the steel-cut oats, too.

I don't think I could eat it twice a day, every day. Maybe every now and then when I get a craving.

I love mine with.....
~Strawberries & almond milk,
~Peaches & honey greek yogurt,
~Bananas & chopped walnuts,
~Bananas & shredded coconut,
or my favorite,
~Raisins, apples, & slivered almonds,
and pretty much add cinnamon to any/all of the above.
Sometimes I still add a touch of brown sugar, too.

I use the 5-minute Old Fashioned Quakers on the stove, but I've also done the overnight, raw oats with raisins & apples, and it's really good, too.

This is really good:

http://www.oprah.com/food/Baked-Lemon-and-Vanilla-Oatmeal-with-Strawberries-Recipe

I also like oats as a topping on baked apples, with a little maple syrup and cinnamon.

But I would be interested in knowing how oatmeal is a miracle food that will make you lean. Surely you can find something you like that fills you up?

this is my go to oatmeal recipe

1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tablespoon organic powdered peanut butter(or reg pb but if u use the powdered one it only add's 22 cals!)
1 1/8 cup of water
1/2 banana

mix dry ingredients in a bowl thoroughly...(if using reg pb wait until oatmeal i cooked before adding it) add water and cook in microwave until desired consistency.

if usuing real pb add in whwen finished cooking.

Top oatmeal with 1/2 of a banana sliced.

so easy and super healthy! great way to start the day!