Oatmeal...

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!

answer: Get another trainer.
You don't have to do oatmeal. I hate it too.

However, I recently tried steel cut oats in yogurt. I like it, but it's not exactly interesting or tasty. It's just filler IMO.

If you don't like oatmeal, don't eat oatmeal.

Your trainer's advice is very, very, very odd.

I might be repeating others, but just in case: Try steel cut oats (soak them overnight so that they cook faster) or another type of hot cereal such as spelt flakes. I've recently been really into spelt flakes for breakfast. It cooks quickly (about 3 minutes in boiling water on the stove), has a nuttier flavour than regular oatmeal, and a less mushy texture. If you must go with regular oatmeal, then try adding nuts and/or raisins to it. Sometimes I add goji berries. It gives it a sweeter flavour but also a different texture. (I have trouble with the texture of regular oatmeal.)

All that being said, shouldn't your trainer be suggesting that you eat more protein rather than carbs? Sure, oatmeal is healthy, but more than one meal a day doesn't seem right to me. Then again, I'm not a trainer... I just find that protein keeps me full longer than oatmeal.

Diced apples (added b4 cooking), apple pie spice and stevia. yum yum yum.
I use old fashioned oats, didn't like steel cut at all.

But try and be open to new ideas, new tastes before passing on them. Lifestyle changes means just that, change your lifestyle. Good luck to you

make a fruit smothie and throw a tablespoon into it, you barely taste it.